7-206. Area reconnaissance patrols focus on obtaining detailed information about the enemy activity, terrain, and/or specific civil considerations and integrated into these variables, informational considerations within a prescribed area. The area may be given as a grid coordinate, an objective, on an overlay. In an area reconnaissance, the patrol uses surveillance (vantage points or observation posts) around the objective to observe it and the surrounding area. The area may include a town, a neighborhood, a ridgeline, woods, an airhead, or any other feature critical to operations. The area may consist of a single point (such as a bridge or an installation). Areas are normally smaller than zones and not usually contiguous to other friendly areas targeted for reconnaissance. Because the area is smaller, units conduct an area reconnaissance quicker than a zone reconnaissance. Other unique techniques falling under area reconnaissance actions on the objective include point, contact, civil, and tracking reconnaissance patrols.
Point Reconnaissance
7-207. A point reconnaissance patrol goes straight to a specific location and determines the situation there. As soon as it does so, it either reports the information by radio or returns to the larger unit to report. This patrol can obtain, verify, confirm, or deny extremely specific information for the platoon leader or commander.
Contact Reconnaissance
7-208. A 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 in some environment. In other environments, for example, against a peer threat, the need for contact patrols may be the best means of passing information safely. These type of patrols are often 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 link up at a designated contact point. The leader of a contact patrol provides the other unit with information about the location, situation, and intentions of the patrol, and obtains and reports the same information about the contacted unit back to the patrol. A contact patrol also observes and reports pertinent information about the area between the two units.
Civil Reconnaissance
7-209. A civil reconnaissance patrol is a targeted, planned, and coordinated observation and evaluation of specific civil aspects of the environment. Civil reconnaissance focuses on the civil component, the elements which are best represented by areas, structures, capabilities, organizations, people, and events (ASCOPE). PIRs or information requirements focus on civil reconnaissance for purposes of collecting civil information to enhance situational understanding and facilitate decision making. Potential sources of civil information which a coordinated civil reconnaissance plan considers include:
- Ongoing ASCOPE assessments of the AO.
- Identified unknowns in civil information:
- Gaps identified during collation and analysis.
- Gaps remaining in the area study and area assessment.
- Civil affairs interaction, including but not limited to:
- Host-nation government officials.
- Religious leaders.
- Tribal or clan leaders.
- Dislocated civilian camp leaders.
- Dislocated civilians on the move.
- Infrastructure managers and workers.
- Local industry personnel.
- Medical and educational personnel.
7-210. The civil reconnaissance element enables information requirements for the purposes of facilitating tactical decision making. The following are activities normally associated with civil reconnaissance and extended periods of surveillance:
- Determine the size, location, and composition of society/human demographics.
- Identify essential infrastructure influencing military operations, including the following:
- Political, government, and religious organizations and agencies.
- Physical facilities and utilities (such as power generation, transportation, and communications networks).
Tracking Reconnaissance
7-211. A tracking reconnaissance patrol is normally a squad-size, possibly smaller, element. It is tasked to follow the trail of a specific enemy unit in order to determine its composition, final destination, and actions en route. Patrol members look for subtle signs left by the enemy as it moves. As the patrol tracks, the members of the patrol gather information about the enemy unit, the route it took, and surrounding terrain. Normally, a tracking reconnaissance patrol avoids direct fire contact with the tracked unit. Tracking reconnaissance patrols often use military working dog teams with scouting capability to help them detect enemy presence by scent, sound, and sight.
Actions In The Objective Area
7-212. Actions in the objective area for an area reconnaissance begin with the patrol in the ORP, followed by the execution of the observation plan, and end with a dissemination of information after a linkup of the patrol’s subordinate elements. This dissemination of information can occur in the ORP, other contact point, or other designated location prior to the patrol’s return to its higher unit.
Actions From the Objective Rally Point
7-213. The patrol occupies the ORP and conducts associated priorities of work. While the patrol establishes security and prepares for the mission, the patrol leader and selected personnel conduct a leader’s reconnaissance (see paragraphs 7-15 and 7-16). The leader must accomplish three things during this reconnaissance: pinpoint the objective and establish surveillance, identify a release point and follow-on linkup point (if required), and confirm the observation plan.
7-214. Upon returning from the leader’s reconnaissance, the patrol leader disseminates information and updates to the plan as required. Once ready, the patrol departs. The leader first establishes security. Once security is in position, the reconnaissance element moves along the specified routes to the observation posts and vantage points in accordance with the observation plan.
7-215. Upon nearing the objective, the patrol leader should establish a forward release point. It should be sited so it is well hidden, no closer than 200 meters from known enemy patrol routes, observation posts, or sentry positions. The forward release point provides the patrol leader with a temporary location close to the objective from which to operate. While the reconnaissance is in progress, the forward release point is manned by the patrol second in charge and RTO. Only vital transmissions are made while in the forward release point. The volume setting should be as low as possible on the radio, and if available, the operator should use an earphone.
7-216. The reconnaissance team makes its final preparation in the forward release point. Movement from the forward release point must be slow and deliberate. The patrol leader should allow sufficient time for the team to obtain the information. If time is limited, the team should only be required to obtain essential information. If the enemy position is large, or time is limited, the leader may employ more than one reconnaissance team. If this occurs, each team must have clearly defined routes for movement to and from the forward release point. They also must have clearly defined areas in which to conduct their reconnaissance in order to avoid contact with each other.
7-217. The reconnaissance team(s) normally consists of one to two observers and two security Soldiers. The security Soldiers should be close enough to provide protection to the observer, but far enough away, so their position is not compromised. When moving in areas near the enemy position, only one Soldier should move at one time. Accordingly, bounds should be short.
7-218. Once in position, the team(s) observes and listens to acquire the needed information. No eating, talking, or unnecessary movement occurs during this time. If a reconnaissance team cannot acquire the information needed from its initial position, it retraces the route and repeats the process. This method of reconnaissance is extremely risky. The reconnaissance team must remember the closer it moves to an objective, the greater the risk of being detected.
Multiple Reconnaissance and Surveillance Teams
7-219. When information cannot be gathered from just one observation post or vantage point, successive points may be used. Once determined, the patrol leader decides how the patrol will occupy them. The critical decision is determining the number of teams in the reconnaissance element. The advantages of a single team are the leader’s ability to control the team, and a decreased probability of enemy detection. The challenges of a single team are the lack of redundancy, and the objective area is observed with just one team. The advantages of using multiple teams include providing the leader redundancy in accomplishing the mission, potentially finishing faster, and ability to look at the objective area from more than one perspective. Challenges include an increased likelihood of compromise and the challenge of controlling the teams.
7-220. The patrol leader may include a surveillance team in the reconnaissance of the objective from the ORP. The leader positions these surveillance teams while on the reconnaissance. The leader may move them on one route, posting them as they move, or may direct them to move on separate routes to their assigned locations.
Next Page : Route Reconnaissance Patrol