In which situation would a commander decide to use illumination rounds?

Using illumination rounds to illuminate a landing zone serves a critical tactical purpose. In low-light or nighttime conditions, visibility can be severely limited, making it difficult for helicopters or other aircraft to safely approach and land. By deploying illumination rounds, a commander enhances the visibility of the landing zone, which facilitates the safe landing of aircraft, supporting operations such as troop insertion or extraction.

This tactical use of illumination rounds is essential for ensuring that operations can proceed smoothly and safely, reducing the likelihood of accidents caused by poor visibility. It also allows ground forces to identify and engage potential threats in and around the landing zone, increasing overall situational awareness during operations.