diff --git a/info/Commands/bomb.t b/info/Commands/bomb.t
index 1f93461c..fe14ca1e 100644
--- a/info/Commands/bomb.t
+++ b/info/Commands/bomb.t
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ Only missiles in hardened silos can avoid damage from a nuclear mission.
 .s1
 <SECT> represents an assembly point, where all of the planes in the
 mission meet before proceeding on to the target sector.
-The assembly point must be owned by you, and must not be more than
+The assembly point must be owned by you or an ally, or you or an ally
+must have a ship there.  It must not be more than
 four sectors away from any of the planes selected for the mission.
 .s1
 Route is a normal empire path specification. You may also give a 
diff --git a/info/Commands/drop.t b/info/Commands/drop.t
index 56837b52..d3db42df 100644
--- a/info/Commands/drop.t
+++ b/info/Commands/drop.t
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ To be selected, escorts must have fuel and mobility.
 .s1
 <SECT> represents an assembly point, where all of the planes in the
 mission meet before proceeding on to the target sector.
-The assembly point must be owned by you, and must not be more than
+The assembly point must be owned by you or an ally, or you or an ally
+must have a ship there.  It must not be more than
 four sectors away from any of the planes selected for the mission.
 .s1
 <COMMODITY> is the name of a commodity which is to be carried along
diff --git a/info/Commands/fly.t b/info/Commands/fly.t
index a9db8527..09339679 100644
--- a/info/Commands/fly.t
+++ b/info/Commands/fly.t
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ To be selected, escorts must have fuel and mobility.
 .s1
 <SECT> represents an assembly point, where all of the planes in the
 mission meet before proceeding on to the target sector.
-The assembly point must be owned by you, and must not be more than
+The assembly point must be owned by you or an ally, or you or an ally
+must have a ship there.  It must not be more than
 four sectors away from any of the planes selected for the mission.
 .s1
 <COMMODITY> is the name of a commodity which is to be carried along
diff --git a/info/Commands/paradrop.t b/info/Commands/paradrop.t
index 0987aa57..ba6e9dbf 100644
--- a/info/Commands/paradrop.t
+++ b/info/Commands/paradrop.t
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ To be selected, escorts must have fuel and mobility.
 .s1
 <SECT> represents an assembly point, where all of the planes in the
 mission meet before proceeding on to the target sector.
-The assembly point must be owned by you, and must not be more than
+The assembly point must be owned by you or an ally, or you or an ally
+must have a ship there.  It must not be more than
 four sectors away from any of the planes selected for the mission.
 .s1
 Route is a normal empire path specification. You may also give a 
diff --git a/info/Commands/recon.t b/info/Commands/recon.t
index 95029df3..2164ad39 100644
--- a/info/Commands/recon.t
+++ b/info/Commands/recon.t
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ To be selected, escorts must have fuel and mobility.
 .s1
 <SECT> represents an assembly point, where all of the planes in the
 mission meet before proceeding on to the target sector.
-The assembly point must be owned by you, and must not be more than
+The assembly point must be owned by you or an ally, or you or an ally
+must have a ship there.  It must not be more than
 four sectors away from any of the planes selected for the mission.
 .s1
 Route is a normal empire path specification. You may also give a 
diff --git a/info/Commands/sweep.t b/info/Commands/sweep.t
index 3da46222..e8e022fe 100644
--- a/info/Commands/sweep.t
+++ b/info/Commands/sweep.t
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ To be selected, escorts must have fuel and mobility.
 .s1
 <SECT> represents an assembly point, where all of the planes in the
 mission meet before proceeding on to the target sector.
-The assembly point must be owned by you, and must not be more than
+The assembly point must be owned by you or an ally, or you or an ally
+must have a ship there.  It must not be more than
 four sectors away from any of the planes selected for the mission.
 .s1
 Route is a normal empire path specification. You may also give a 
diff --git a/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c b/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
index 7371f184..6d7006b2 100644
--- a/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
+++ b/src/lib/subs/plnsub.c
@@ -64,18 +64,32 @@ get_assembly_point(char *input, struct sctstr *ap_sect, char *buf)
 {
     char *p;
     coord x, y;
+    struct nstr_item ni;
+    struct shpstr ship;
 
     p = getstarg(input, "assembly point? ", buf);
     if (!p || *p == 0)
 	return NULL;
     if (!sarg_xy(p, &x, &y) || !getsect(x, y, ap_sect))
 	return NULL;
-    if (ap_sect->sct_own && ap_sect->sct_own != player->cnum &&
-	getrel(getnatp(ap_sect->sct_own), player->cnum) != ALLIED) {
-	pr("Assembly point not owned by you or an ally!\n");
-	return NULL;
+
+    /* over own or allied sector is fine */
+    if (ap_sect->sct_own == player->cnum
+	|| getrel(getnatp(ap_sect->sct_own), player->cnum) == ALLIED)
+	return ap_sect;
+
+    /* over own or allied ship is fine */
+    snxtitem_xy(&ni, EF_SHIP, x, y);
+    while (nxtitem(&ni, &ship)) {
+	if (ship.shp_effic < SHIP_MINEFF || ship.shp_own == 0)
+	    continue;
+	if (ship.shp_own == player->cnum
+	    || getrel(getnatp(ship.shp_own), player->cnum) == ALLIED)
+	    return ap_sect;
     }
-    return ap_sect;
+
+    pr("Assembly point not owned by you or an ally!\n");
+    return NULL;
 }
 
 int