RECONNAISSANCE AND SECURITY
a. Definition. Reconnaissance is a mission to obtain combat information on the enemy and the AO for producing combat intelligence. Combat intelligence, gathered through reconnaissance and other sources, is a key factor in confirming (or denying) our intelligence estimates, assessing tactical risks, and allocating appropriate forces to accomplish the mission. Instructions to subordinates must emphasize the importance of timely and accurate reports of both positive and negative information about the enemy and the AO.
b. Fundamentals of reconnaissance operations.
(1) Employ maximum reconnaissance force forward.
(2) Orient on the location or movement of the reconnaissance objectives.
(3) Report all information rapidly and accurately.
(4) Retain freedom to maneuver.
(5) Gain and maintain contact with the enemy.
(6) Develop the situation rapidly.
c. Reconnaissance frontages. Reconnaissance frontages are influenced by the visibility, terrain, road net, enemy situation, nature of the information sought, and time available. There is no established frontage for a given size of force conducting a reconnaissance mission. If detailed rather than general information is desired, the operation will be more time consuming; therefore, the frontage should be narrower than that for general information. Wider frontages may be assigned when air cavalry units are available. For planning purposes, a heavy cavalry scout platoon with 6 M3 CFVs reconnoiters a zone 3 to 5 kilometers wide, while a battalion scout platoon with 10 HMMWVs operates over a 5- to 7-km front. This would equate to a frontage for a divisional or armored cavalry troop (two scout plts) of 6 to 10 kilometers and for a squadron (three troops) of 18 to 30 kilometers. An ACR with three squadrons could have a frontage of 48 to 90 kilometers.
d. Types of reconnaissance missions.
(1) Route reconnaissance is a directed effort to obtain information about a specific route; the obstacles and enemy along that route; and the terrain adjacent to that route, which, if occupied by the enemy, would affect movement along the route.
(2) Zone reconnaissance is a directed effort to obtain detailed information of all routes, terrain, obstacles, and enemy forces in a zone defined by boundaries. A zone reconnaissance is assigned when the enemy situation is vague or when information regarding cross-country trafficability is desired. Zone reconnaissance is more thorough and time consuming than other reconnaissance missions.
(3) Area reconnaissance is a directed effort to obtain detailed information of all routes, terrain, and enemy forces within a clearly defined area, such as a town, a ridgeline, woods, or other features critical to operations.
NOTE: For more information on reconnaissance and security, see FM 17-95.
a. Definition. Security is achieved by effective detection of an enemy with sufficient time and maneuver space to react to allow for the avoidance, neutralization, or destruction of the enemy. The key to successful security operations is aggressive action to defeat enemy collection systems through counter-reconnaissance. Security operations must be proactive, and all units are responsible for their own security, regardless of the security provided by other units.
b. Fundamentals of security operations.
(1) Orient on the main body.
(2) Perform continuous reconnaissance.
(3) Provide early and accurate warning.
(4) Provide reaction time and maneuver space.
(5) Maintain enemy contact.
c. Frontage in security operations. The extent of the frontage assigned in security operations depends on the degree of security desired, the length of time the security is required, the enemy capabilities, the terrain (with emphasis on enemy avenues of approach), and the weather. Wider frontages may be assigned when air cavalry or aviation units are available.
d. Degrees of security.
(1) Screen. A screen maintains surveillance to the front, flanks, or rear of a stationary force (flanks and rear of moving force) to provide early warning to this force by observing, reporting, and maintaining contact with enemy forces encountered. The screening force is defensive in nature and impedes and harasses the enemy and destroys or repels enemy reconnaissance units. In addition, the screening force maintains its freedom of maneuver and does not become decisively engaged. A screen mission is not assigned to a unit operating to the front of a moving force. A more appropriate mission for a unit operating to the front of a moving force is a movement to contact, zone reconnaissance, or advance guard. For planning purposes, the heavy cavalry scout platoon mans six OPs for short duration (less than 12 hours) or three OPs for long duration (over 12 hours). The battalion scout platoon mans eight OPs for short duration and three OPs for long duration.
(2) Guard. To guard is to operate to the flank, front, or rear of a larger moving or stationary force to prevent enemy ground observation, direct fire, and surprise attack. This is done by defeating, destroying, or delaying the enemy within the capabilities of the protecting force. The guard force may accept decisive engagement to protect the main force. Elements of the guard force may reconnoiter, screen, attack, defend, or delay, as necessary, to accomplish the mission. A guard force normally operates within the range of main body indirect-fire weapons.
(3) Cover. To cover is to operate independently as a self-contained force at a significant distance to the flank, front, or rear of the main force. A cover orients in the direction of the enemy to develop the situation early and to deceive, disorganize, and destroy the enemy before he can attack the main body. The covering force will often become decisively engaged with enemy forces.
e. Security forces.
(1) Screening force. A commander assigns a screening mission when economy of force requires that an extended area be kept under surveillance and there are few troops available. The force accomplishes the mission by manning a series of OPs that cover avenues of approach into the sector. Mounted, dismounted, and aerial patrols reconnoiter those areas that cannot be observed from the OPs. The commander of the force being screened designates the general trace of the screen, the unit to be screened, and the responsibility for the area between the screening force and the screened units. The screening force commander positions OPs to provide for maximum observation and concealment. To be effective, a screening force must have good communications between OPs, it must also have enough personnel to man the OPs for sustained periods and to conduct mounted, dismounted, or aerial patrolling between the OPs and contact points, consistent with the need for security. The screening force may use air cavalry units to extend reconnaissance and materially increase the effectiveness of the security screen. Under some circumstances the screening force may permit small enemy patrols to infiltrate the security screen so that it can observe larger enemy forces. However, it must also ensure that infiltrators do not join with other infiltrated forces and threaten the screened force. When the flank of a moving force is screened, the screening unit conducts the mission in the same manner as in a mobile flank guard operation except that the screening force normally does not have responsibility for the area between the screened and screening forces, may not be within range of support from the screened force, and occupies OPs in succession along the flank instead of BPs.
(2) Guard force. A guard force is a security force that operates to the front, flank, or rear of a moving or stationary force to protect that force from enemy ground observation, direct fire, and surprise attack. The guard force provides early warning, reaction time, and maneuver space. The security force normally conducts a guard operation within friendly artillery range. When it makes contact, it defends or delays.
(a) Advance guard. An advance guard is a security force, primarily offensive in nature, that operates to the front of a moving force to ensure its uninterrupted advance and to protect it from surprise attack. It performs continuous reconnaissance to the front and flanks and pushes back or destroys small enemy groups before they can hinder the advance of the main body. When the advance guard encounters large enemy forces or heavily defended areas, it takes prompt and aggressive action to develop the situation and, within its capability, employs offensive action to defeat the enemy. It employs every means available to determine the location, strength, disposition, and composition of the enemy. The advance guard must be far enough in front of the main body to ensure the commander has freedom of action in the employment of his forces. However, it must not be so far in front that it can be destroyed by enemy attack before assistance can reach it. The main body commander usually specifies how far in front of his force the advance guard is to operate.
(b) Rear guard. A rear guard is a security force that operates to the rear of a moving or stationary force to protect it from enemy surprise attack or annoyance by defeating, destroying, or delaying the enemy within its capabilities. The rear guard follows the protected force at a distance prescribed by the main body commander and usually moves over the same route or routes. It is prepared to intercept and engage enemy forces that attempt to attack the rear of the protected force. It must not permit itself to be bypassed or driven into the main body.
(c) Flank guard. A flank guard operates to the flank of a moving or stationary force to protect it from enemy ground observation, direct fire, and surprise attack by defeating, destroying, or delaying the enemy within its capabilities. It may employ offensive, defensive, or delaying action as necessary to accomplish the mission. During offensive or retrograde operations, the flank guard is mobile when the force being secured is moving. This is known as a mobile flank guard. When the force being secured is conducting defensive operations, the flank guard is normally stationary. The flank guard occupies a series of BPs along the most likely enemy avenues of approach. The main body commander specifies the units to be protected or the zone of responsibility. Normally, the flank guard responsibility begins at the rear of the leading battalion TF and ends at the rear of the other combat elements of the main body (exclusive of the rear guard), unless otherwise specified.
1. A flank guard for a moving force advances systematically to a series of BPs by moving along a designated route parallel to the axis of advance of the main body and clears the area between its route of advance and the main body. The flank guard commander selects his route of advance unless prescribed by higher HQ. The route of advance should be far enough from the axis of advance of the main body to prevent the flank guard from interfering with the maneuver of the main body. The route should permit rapid access to the line of BPs. During a mobile flank guard operation, the lead unit of the flank guard force secures the area between the main body and the flank guard route of advance and maintains contact with the rear of the leading battalion or TF of the main body. It may be necessary to reinforce the leading unit so it can accomplish its threefold mission. The remainder of the flank guard moves in column and is prepared to secure BPs on order.
2. When planning for the use of the flank guard in a penetration or when conducting a passage of lines, special considerations include the relatively narrow front on which a penetration is normally conducted and the limited maneuver room associated with a passage of lines. Initially, when a penetration is made through friendly front lines, the area of responsibility for a division or brigade flank guard starts at the shoulder of the penetration (which is held by friendly forces) and extends forward to the rear of the leading battalion TF or company team of the main body. When the last combat element of the main body moves through the gap, the area of responsibility for the flank guard normally changes to that of an enveloping or exploiting force. The force conducting the penetration and the flank guard unit must closely coordinate movement of the guard unit through the gap of the penetration. The leading element of the flank guard normally follows the leading major command of the penetration force through the gap until the situation permits its movement to the flank. The lead flank guard unit acts as the advance guard for the main flank guard force and secures the area between the rear of the leading battalion TF and the flank guard route of advance. When the remainder of the flank guard unit moves through the gap, it moves to the flank and prepares to seize and occupy blocking positions to meet a counterattack by the enemy.
3. The area of responsibility of a flank guard for an enveloping or exploiting force normally starts at the rear of the leading battalion TF and extends to the rear of the last combat element of the protected force.
4. The operations of a flank guard for a unit performing a retrograde movement are similar to those of a flank guard for an advancing force. The major difference is that the area of responsibility for the flank guard must be specified by the protected force commander.
(3) Covering force. A covering force is a tactically self-contained security force that operates at a considerable distance from a stationary force. Its missions are to develop the situation early; to defeat hostile forces if possible; and to deceive, delay, and disorganize enemy forces until the main body can react. This mission is not normally assigned to a unit smaller than a brigade or an ACR. A covering force engages in any action necessary for the success of its mission and may be employed when the main force is engaged in offensive, defensive, or retrograde actions. The commander of the force being covered specifies the area to be secured. The covering force should be completely mobile, tank heavy, and reinforced with infantry, artillery, engineers, aircraft, and air cavalry, as required. These forces should be placed under one commander who operates under the direct control of the commander of the forces being covered.
Counterreconnaissance is the directed effort to prevent visual observation or infiltration of friendly forces by enemy reconnaissance elements. Successfully countering enemy reconnaissance is the first and possibly most important step in ensuring the main body can successfully execute its mission. The scout platoon plays a vital role in the battalion TF counterreconnaissance fight. Although this paragraph will discuss counterreconnaissance in battalion TF terms, it is equally applicable to the regimental armored cavalry troop or squadron and the divisional cavalry squadron.
The TF counterreconnaissance plan must address how to acquire and defeat enemy reconnaissance elements. The S2 provides key input into the planning process. He identifies avenues of approach into the unit sector, what type of enemy reconnaissance elements might be used in the sector, and when they are most likely to move into the sector. The commander or S3 uses this information to formulate the counterreconnaissance plan and to task units to execute it. Often the counterreconnaissance plan calls on the scout platoon to conduct a screen mission to acquire and identify enemy reconnaissance forces. The S3 may also task maneuver units to conduct patrols to find the enemy. In most cases, the scout platoon cannot be expected to have the capability to acquire, identify, and defeat enemy reconnaissance by itself.
There are several options available to counter the enemy reconnaissance effort:
a. Place a tank platoon OPCON to the scouts who are conducting a screen mission. The tank platoon, which is the reaction force, is positioned forward in the TF area to overwatch the most likely avenue of approach during hours of limited visibility.
b. Use a company team in a forward screen role. This option provides a strong counter-reconnaissance capability, gives a measure of deception, and facilitates early engagement. A company team has the assets to identify and destroy most enemy reconnaissance elements.
c. Designate a company team to provide a reaction force. The company team commander designates one or more platoons as the reaction force. The platoon leader(s) reconnoiters his (their) potential routes. Once a scout platoon acquires and reports an enemy reconnaissance element, the reaction force maneuvers or attacks by fire to defeat the enemy force.
d. Task the scout platoon to acquire and report enemy vehicles and routes for destruction by indirect fires or TF maneuver assets.
Whichever option the commander employs, the counterreconnaissance fight must be firmly controlled, monitored at the battalion TF level, coordinated early, and thoroughly rehearsed. The result of an effective counterreconnaissance fight is that the enemy reconnaissance effort is blunted, and the enemy is forced to attack without information about the friendly force disposition.
12-4. RECONNAISSANCE AND SURVEILLANCE PLANNING
a. Planning. The G2/S2 is responsible for planning R&S operations. Based on his knowledge of the enemy, weather, and terrain, his goal is to ensure the full surveillance coverage of the battlefield area to the extent that resources will allow. He will ensure special attention is directed to the systematic surveillance of NAIs and target areas of interest (TAIs) developed through IPB to confirm or deny the enemy situation. In R&S planning, the S2 must consider and include the capabilities of all reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) means under his direct control, as well as those that may support this effort, in providing timely intelligence and targeting information to his commander. Once the G2/S2 has developed the unit R&S plan, subordinate units are tasked through the G3/S3 for the execution of missions, such as planning OPs and deploying patrols and scout sections into specific target areas as outlined in the unit R&S plan. Requirements beyond unit R&S capabilities must be satisfied by requests for information to units that have access to applicable collection assets.
b. The reconnaissance and surveillance overlay. (See FM 34-2-1, chap 6 for a sample R&S overlay.) The S2 and/or S3 plan and publish the R&S overlay. There are two parts to the R&S overlay: the graphic display of deployed or planned deployment of R&S assets and the marginal data consisting of the legend, administrative data, specific instructions to each asset, and the distribution list. The battalion TF R&S overlay is prepared to integrate company team security or countersurveillance plans (LP or OP, local security patrols) with battalion TF assets and those assets provided by the brigade to eliminate gaps in coverage. The brigade S2 consolidates the battalion TF R&S overlay with those from other battalion TFs to reveal possible gaps in brigade total R&S coverage. Similarly, the division consolidates all brigade R&S overlays to identify gaps in division coverage. The tasking matrix attached to the R&S overlay provides the:
(1) Priority of each mission, which corresponds with the PIR number.
(2) NAI number and grid coordinate.
(3) Asset type and collection times for this mission.
(4) SORs.
(5) Reporting requirements.