Previous: 6-168: Point Reconnaissance
6-169. Contact reconnaissance patrol is a special type of reconnaissance patrol sent from one unit to physically contact and coordinate with another. Modern technology has reduced, but not eliminated, the need for contact patrols. They most often are used today when a U.S. force must contact a non-U.S. coalition partner who lacks compatible communications or position-reporting equipment. Contact patrols may either go to the other unit’s position, or the units can meet at a designated contact point. The leader of a contact patrol provides the other unit with information about the location, situation, and intentions of his own unit, and obtains and reports the same information about the contacted unit back to his unit. The contact patrol also observes and reports pertinent information about the area between the two units.
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Go Back To: U.S. Army FM 3-21.8: The Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad