RECONNAISSANCE OPERATIONS
Five steps of Obstacle Reconnaissance
(1) Detection (2) Local security and reconnaissance (3) Reconnaissance of obstacles and restrictions (4) Selection of a COA (5) Recommendation/execution of a COA, including bypass.
Fundamentals of Reconnaissance
(1) Use maximum reconnaissance force forward. (2) Orient on te reconnaissance obejective. (3) Report all information rapidly and accurately. (4) Retain freedom of maneuver. (5) Gain and maintain enemy contact. (6) Develop the situation rapidly.
Route reconnaissance critical tasks
- Determine trafficability - Find and report all enemy forces that can influence movement; and terrain the enemy can use to dominate movement. - Reconnoiter all built-up areas. - Reconnoiter all lateral routes to the limit of direct fire range. - Inspect and classify all overpasses, underpasses, and culverts. - Reconnoiter all defiles. - Locate minefields and other obstacles. - Locate a bypass around built-up areas, obstacles, restrictions, and contaminated areas. - Determine the type and volume of traffic. - Report route information.
Zone and Area reconnaissance critical tasks
- Finding and reporting all enemy forces. - Reconnoitering and determining trafficability of all terrain. - Inspecting and classifying all bridges. - Locating fords or crossing sites near all bridges. - Inspecting and classifying all overpasses, underpasses, and culverts. - Within capability, locating all minefields and other obstacles, reducing or reaching them, and clearing and marking lanes. - Locating and identifying bypasses around built-up areas, obstacles, and contaminated areas. - Reporting information.
Purpose (characteristics) of Zone Reconnaissance
- Focus on terrain, force, society or infrastructure. - May include Area and/or Route reconnaissance. - Covers a large area, therefore it is less detailed and requires more time than an Area reconnaissance.
Purpose of Obstacle Reconnaissance
- Focuses on a specific bostacles, each section can reconnoiter one obstacle. - Scout Platoon should be reinforced with engineers if possible to provide accurate estimate of time and equipment required to reduce.
Purpose of Route Reconnaissance
- Focuses on a specific route, each section can reconnoiter one route. - Scout Platoon should be reinforced with engineers to accurately classify the route, specifically bridges, overpasses, underpasses, culverts, tunnels and obstacles.
Purpose of Area Reconnaissance
- Focuses on terrain or enemy activity within an area with a specific boundary (objective, town or NAI). - Scout Platoon can cover approximately 3km x 5km area.
Route Reconnaissance Report
A: From B: To C: Type of Route (1Highway, 2Road, 3Trail, 4Cross-country) D: Classification of route E: Seasonal limitations (X-all weather, Y-limited all weather, Z-Fair weather F: Rate of movement the route supports G: Location and type of critical points (Curves <=45m, Uphill slopes >=5%, Width restrictions <= 6m/10m, Overhead clearance <=4.3m).
Obstacle Report
A: Type of Obstacle or obstruction B: Location, using grid coordinates C: Dimensions and orientation D: Composition E: Threat weapons influencing obstacle F: Observer's actions
Local Security
Conducted near a unit to prevent surprise by the enemy. Inherent in all missions.
Screen
Defensive in nature, provides early warning to the main body as it impedes and harasses the enemy with direct and indirect fires.
TOW Platoon Organization
HQ section: (1) MK19/M2 AT section (x3): (8) Saber and (1) MK19/M2
Scout Platoon Organization
HQ section: (2) MK19/M2 Scout Sect (x2): ((1) Saber and (2)MK19 or M2)
Guard
Protect the main force by fighting to gain time while also observing and reporting information. To prevent enemy ground observation of and direct fire against the protected element, the guard force reconnoiters, attacks, defends, and delays.
Security Operations
Screen, Guard, Area security, and Local security.
Area Security
Task to protect friendly forces, installations, routes, and actions within a specific area. Deny the enemy the aibility to influence friendly actions in a specific area or deny the enemy the ability to use an area for its own purposes. (Route and convoy security are within area security).
Types of Reconnaissance
Zone, Area, and Route.
