7-186. A reconnaissance patrol normally travels light, with as few personnel and as little arms, ammunition, and equipment as possible. This increases stealth and cross-country mobility in close terrain. Regardless of how the patrol is armed and equipped, the patrol leader always plans for direct-fire contact with a hostile force. Leaders must anticipate where they may possibly be observed and control the hazard by planning their movement or employment to lessen their risk. If detected, or unanticipated opportunities arise, reconnaissance patrols must be able to rapidly transition to combat. A reconnaissance patrol is organized with a reconnaissance element and a security element.
Reconnaissance Element
7-187. The reconnaissance element gathers information to answer PIRs which enable leaders to make tactical decisions. The primary means is reconnaissance with extended periods of surveillance enabled by tactical movement, and continuous and accurate reporting. Thorough and accurate reconnaissance and surveillance (see paragraph 2-3and note on page 2-5) is important. However, avoiding detection is equally important. The following are activities normally associated with reconnaissance and extended periods of surveillance:
- Reconnoiter all terrain within the assigned area, route, or zone.
- Determine trafficability routes or potential avenues of approach (based on the personnel or vehicles to be used on the route):
- Inspect and classify all bridges, overpasses, underpasses, and culverts on the route.
- Locate fords or crossing sites near bridges on the route.
- Determine the time it takes to traverse the route.
- Reconnoiter to the limit of direct fire range—
- Terrain influencing the area, route, or zone.
- Built-up areas.
- Lateral routes.
- Within capabilities, reconnoiter natural and man-made obstacles to ensure mobility along the route. Locate a bypass or reduce/breach, clear, and mark—
- Lanes.
- Defiles and other restrictive/severely restrictive terrain.
- Minefields.
- Contaminated areas.
- Log obstacles such as abatis, log cribs, stumps, and posts.
- AT ditches.
- Wire entanglements.
- Fills, such as a raised railroad track.
- Other obstacles along the route.
- Zone reconnaissance and area reconnaissance accomplish the following activities within the unit’s capability (unless otherwise ordered):
- Find and report all enemy forces within the zone.
- Based on engagement criteria, clear all enemy forces in the designated assigned area of the unit conducting reconnaissance.
- Inspect and classify all bridges in the zone.
- Inspect and classify all overpasses, underpasses, and culverts.
- Locate fords, crossing sites, or obstacle bypasses in the zone.
- Reconnoiter specific terrain in the zone, for example, an NAI.
- Report reconnaissance information.
- Confirm or deny commander’s PIR.
- Extended periods of surveillance may include:
- Decision points where decisions by the commander are required—for example, determining an enemy COA.
- Information requirements to identify critical events linked to NAIs and target area of interests.
- Find all threat forces influencing movement along the area, route, or zone.
- Report information.
Note. Infantry rifle platoons and squads typically require engineer augmentation to complete a full technical inspection of bridges, roads, and culverts; however, platoons and squads do have the ability to conduct a general assessment.
Security Element
7-188. The security element’s primary purpose is to protect the reconnaissance element. The security element provides overwatch to the reconnaissance element from support by fire positions. This element must be able to observe the reconnaissance objective and avenues of approach as well as provide early warning. The security element is prepared to provide alternate communications to higher headquarters or relay for the reconnaissance element. Security elements must be able to engage the enemy with direct and indirect fire within and beyond the reconnaissance objective. If a reconnaissance element is compromised, the security element immediately provides overwhelming fires against enemy forces to enable the element in contact to withdraw. This worst-case scenario must be well-rehearsed and well thought out.
Next Page : Actions On The Reconnaissance Objective