Patrolling Fundamentals III
Written by David R. Reed
Danger Areas
A danger area is a place where the enemy can see you. You should avoid
danger areas where possible. When studying the terrain you will cross,
look for these and plan to go around them. Streams, rivers, roads, fields,
and clear areas are all places that the enemy may be watching. When you
come to a danger area that cannot be bypassed, you should cross it in this
manner. First, send out security to the right and left. They should move
along the edge for at least 50 meters looking for enemy positions. If they
spot danger, they will return and advise the patrol leader. They will take
up a position where they can cover the patrol when everyone crosses.
Next send the point team across. When they cross the right and left
security must be ready to cover them. Once across, the point team will
recon the far side of the danger area to insure there is no danger waiting
for the patrol. When they are satisfied that it is safe, they will return
to the danger area and signal. They will then pull far side security until
the team is across.
Next, everyone gets to the edge of the danger area and upon a signal,
rushes across at once. As soon as they reach the far side they take up
a position just like they always do when the patrol is stopped. The point
team will advise the PL of what they have found ahead, and the patrol moves
out quickly. If you were spotted crossing, there may be a fire mission
on its way in. You must quickly get out of the area and be certain to leave
little sign. Trackers may be called in to start tailing you from the danger
area where you were seen. The few hours after a danger area crossing are
hours spent being very careful, changing courses to confuse trackers, etc.
SOP
Standard Operating Procedures should be established for anything that you
will do a lot of. By standardizing these things, it is easier to communicate
them during a patrol order. Actions while stopped, at danger areas, and
occupying a patrol base are the first three you will want to standardize.
If you always do it the same way then you will not need to rehearse these
as much, and there won't be any need for talking in the field.
Intel Collection
Each recon team should take pictures of vehicle tracks, the distance between
them, etc., so that Intelligence can determine the vehicle that made them.
All equipment should be photographed. If you can see markings on the vehicles
use a telephoto lens to get good pictures. Also photograph antennas and
other equipment. Intelligence can determine a lot from these pictures.
Your team should have a good working knowledge of the enemy's radio equipment,
antennas, etc. This will help you determine the difference between company,
battalion, or regiment HQ's. Frequency counters are small and can be used
to determine the freq. the enemy is transmitting on. Do not make up stories
or lie about what you saw to make your efforts seem more important. It
would be a shame to divert military assets and get people killed to strike
a target that you have exaggerated the importance of. You should arrange
for experts to train your team in the use of photo equipment, film, etc.
This equipment (Unless waterproof) should be protected in the same way
radios are.
When you rendezvous you will all compare notes and make sure that everyone
knows everything that each other saw during recon. If only one man makes
it back he will do so with all of the intelligence. This is called disseminating
information
Helicopter extraction
If helicopters are used you must let them know you are coming and let them
know if you are being chased. Gunships will be able to attack your pursuers
giving you time to board and take off.
Once the choppers are in-bound you will probably want to pop a smoke
for identification. The chopper pilot will see it and say "identify purple,
east edge of LZ" if you popped a purple smoke at the east edge of the LZ
you'll confirm. If you popped a yellow then the enemy is nearby trying
to lure him in. Advise the pilot and the gunships can handle the bastards
with the purple smoke. You must run to the helicopters as they are landing,
not after. You want the pickup to be touch and go, with the helicopter
never really coming to a stop. Aircrews appreciate efficiency! Their gunners
can provide covering fire while you run. Make sure you coordinate this
with the air liaison. Make sure he arranges a slick with two gunners and
at least two supporting gunships. You don't want to find out that is no
covering fire after you are in the open and running to meet the helicopter.
(Not that there is much you can do about it.)
Escape & Evasion
This is what you'll do if for some reason the helicopters can't pick you
up at the LZ. You will move to the next LZ, and the next, and so on trying
to make contact. Have prearranged times to meet someone at a safe, distant
LZ in case your radio malfunctions. (Remember lots of batteries.) If this
fails you will have a long walk. Make sure that you know what friendly
unit you will be attempting to contact, their frequencies, and a password.
You will need compasses, signal mirrors, water purification tablets, good
knives, etc.
Other tricks
You can rig a white phosphorous grenade in the bottom of your rucksack
with a wire leading up to your quick release on the harness. Tape it securely
and open the pin on the grenade JUST A LITTLE. If you have to drop rucksacks
and haul ass you will have about 5 seconds after dropping the rucksack
before it goes off, right in the face of your pursuers. Good soldiers do
not drop their rucksacks on a mission for any other reason. Dropping a
rucksack is a violation of noise discipline. Tired line soldiers are in
the habit of dropping rucksacks every time they stop. This is very bad
form.
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