Chapter 3

MANEUVER

Section III. CAVALRY AND SCOUT

3-8. GENERAL

    Cavalry is organized in six basic designs: ACR (heavy), ACR (light), heavy division cavalry squadron, light division cavalry squadron, air reconnaissance squadron, and separate cavalry troop. These designs reflect the role of the cavalry unit and the organizational characteristics of the parent unit. There are field manuals that discuss these organizational designs in detail. Major commands (MACOMs) will modify tables of organization and equipment (TOEs). When the commander assigns combat missions to divisional or regimental cavalry units, he must realize that the structure of the divisional and regimental cavalry units is quite different. Some cavalry units may require augmentation to accomplish specific tasks.

3-9. ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENTS

    a. Employment.

  b. Characteristics.

        (1) Flexible combined arms team.
        (2) Armored and air cavalry elements combined into air-ground teams.
        (3) Mobility and agility.
        (4) Shock and violent execution.

    c. Fundamental role of ACRs (heavy). The ACR facilitates the corps commander's ability to maneuver brigades and divisions, concentrate superior combat power, and apply combat power against the enemy at a decisive time and place. Primary tasks (not necessarily missions themselves) that cavalry organizations perform for the commander include-

        (1) Providing fresh information about terrain and weather.
        (2) Providing reaction time and maneuver space.
        (3) Preserving combat power.
        (4) Restoring command and control.
        (5) Facilitating movement.
        (6) Performing rear operations.

    d. Operations.

        (1) Reconnaissance.

            (a) The regiment does not usually perform route reconnaissance.

            (b) The regiment performs zone reconnaissance as part of a covering force mission. The regimental squadron may perform the zone reconnaissance as a primary mission. The reconnaissance is conducted by advancing with troops abreast to check all routes and terrain and to locate all enemy forces. If contact is made, the regimental squadron develops the situation through standard actions on contact.

            (c) Depending on the factors of METT-T, an air cavalry troop can be assigned to reconnoiter part of the zone on its own or with attached ground elements. It may be kept in reserve, it may support ground elements with scout-aeroweapon teams, or it may secure the front and/or flanks of advancing cavalry troops.

            (d) The regiment does not normally conduct an area reconnaissance. It assigns the mission to one of its squadrons or to an air cavalry troop. Except for movement to and from the area, an area reconnaissance is conducted the same as a zone reconnaissance. A cavalry squadron or troop moves to and reconnoiters one large area or several small, dispersed areas. Emphasis is placed on reaching the area quickly. The squadron develops enemy situations encountered en route only enough so that elements can bypass them and report.

            (e) In tasking cavalry to perform reconnaissance operations, commanders and staff planners must consider the time element. Reconnaissance operations normally are detailed and time consuming to execute.

        (2) Security missions.

            (a) The regiment with a screen mission assigns sectors or zones to its squadrons. The squadrons then assign sectors or zones to their troops. The air cavalry may be given a sector or a zone, but it usually supplements the efforts of the squadron(s) by extending the screen in length, or depth, or both.

            (b) The ACR will normally be assigned cover or screen missions. The squadrons may be assigned a screen or guard mission to execute the regimental mission.

            (c) When the ACR acts as an advance covering force for a main body moving to contact, the force moves as in a zone reconnaissance. In the cover for a defending force, the covering force defends or delays as required. Field artillery, engineers, AD, intelligence resources, and CSS should heavily support the covering force. This reinforcement increases the distance and length of time the regiment can operate away from the main body and the capability of the regiment to destroy the enemy. Squadrons, troops, and platoons normally conduct covering force operations as a part of a larger force.

        (3) Economy of force operations. In addition to the primary cavalry roles of reconnaissance and security that relate directly to security and surprise (two principles of war), heavy cavalry traditionally executes economy of force missions. The commander's calculated acceptance of risk identifies the requirements for attack, defend, delay, and supporting operations. The commander may employ minimum resources in selected areas to concentrate combat power at a decisive location and time in his AO. His focused mass (combat power) may require economy of force missions to deceive the enemy about his actual maneuver.

    e. Armored cavalry regiment (light). The ACR (light) is a self-contained combined arms organization capable of being packaged and rapidly deployed by air or sealift as part of a force projection Army responding to worldwide contingencies. The role of the ACR (light) may be traditional, initial entry, or follow-on. The traditional role would support a US corps or TF through a reconnaissance, a security, and/or an economy-of-force capability. As an initial entry force, the ACR (light) would support Army or joint task force (JTF) operations with credible force as a demonstration of US resolve. In the follow-on role, the ACR (light) will follow an opposed entry force (division ready brigade (DRB) type) to expand the point of entry, to provide reconnaissance and security, and to serve as the initial combat-capable maneuver force. Because of the C2 structure and support base within the regiment, it is a very modular organization capable of rapidly integrating heavy forces into its task organization. This factor supports the army with a force that can be tailored for the situation and expanded once it is deployed to a theater if the situation dictates the need for heavy forces. The ACR (light) typically supports the contingency corps. It is often reinforced by corps CS units and divisional maneuver battalions. The ACR (light) operates independently over a wide area and at extended distances from other units. The ACR (light) is a highly mobile, light-armored force capable of fighting the fully mechanized, motorized, or dismounted threat in the environmental states of war or conflict. It is also capable of military OOTW in a peacetime environment. When the ACR (light) is supporting a light corps, limitations may exist in corps support capabilities, strategic mobility, and terrain restrictions.

3-10. CAVALRY SQUADRONS

    Cavalry squadrons perform reconnaissance and security missions. When appropriately reinforced, cavalry units can perform offensive and defensive missions.

    a. Regimental armored cavalry squadron (heavy). The cavalry squadron in the ACR (heavy) usually functions as part of its parent ACR, but it may operate separately. The squadron can conduct reconnaissance missions or offensive or defensive missions as an economy of force mission. Its mobility and firepower suit it for exploitation and pursuit missions. In the defense, cavalry, with its combined arms organization through troop level, is well suited as an economy of force element to delay over-extended frontages, to defend secondary avenues of approach, or to fight beside divisional units from battle positions (BPs) as part of the regiment. Its organic systems provide long-range antiarmor engagement capability. Its tactical mobility facilitates rapid lateral or indepth movement on multiple routes. Further, these capabilities make the cavalry a potent counterattack force.

    b. Division cavalry. The mechanized or armored division cavalry squadron is assigned to the aviation brigade; however, the squadron is normally tactically employed by division HQ. The light division cavalry squadron in the aviation brigade of the light infantry division possesses a significant tactical mobility advantage over the infantry battalions in the division. The air cavalry squadron is a highly mobile, armed force organized as part of the airborne and AASLT divisions. It is also organic to those corps without an ACR. It is equipped predominantly with air cavalry troops. When present, the ground troops are mounted in HMMWVs.

3-11. BATTALION SCOUT PLATOON

    The battalion is the lowest tactical echelon with its own organic reconnaissance and security assets. The battalion scout platoon comprise two scout sections and a C2 section. Each scout section comprises two scout squads with two HMMWVs; each HMMWV has a three-man crew. One HMMWV in each squad may carry a military motorcycle (the military motorcycles have not been approved for implementation or fielded by Army tank and mechanized infantry battalions). Depending on the MTOE, the platoon should have five Javelin or Dragon antitank weapon systems. The platoon is also equipped with electro-optics to enhance reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. These systems include the UAS-11 night observation device long-range (NODLR), the AN/PVS-4 individual weapons sight, the AN/PVS-7 night-vision goggles (NVGs), the AN/PAS-7 hand-held thermal viewer, M22 binoculars, and the M49 telescope.