In what type of mission does the DZSO take primary responsibility?

The Drop Zone Safety Officer (DZSO) plays a vital role primarily during airborne operations. In this context, the DZSO is responsible for ensuring the safety and proper management of the drop zone where parachutists land. This includes conducting pre-jump planning and coordination, assessing the drop zone for hazards, managing the airspace, and overseeing the execution of the jumps to ensure that they happen safely and efficiently. The DZSO's knowledge of parachute operations, air traffic considerations, and safety protocols is crucial in these missions, which require careful coordination between ground personnel and airborne units.

Other mission types, such as land operations, water operations, or medical evacuations, do not place the DZSO in a primary role focused on parachute drop zones, making airborne operations the correct context for the DZSO's responsibilities.