FM 17-35 ( Armored Cavalry Platoon, Troop and Squadron ) 1960

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CHAPTER 17
EMPLOYMENT OF THE ARMORED CAVALRY SQUADRON
249. General
Section I. GENERAL
a. The armored cavalry squadron may be employed on reconnaissance,
security, or economy of force missions for the unit to
which assigned or attached. The situation confronting the higher
commander will determine the best employment of the squadron.
b. The tactics, techniques, and procedures of employment of both
the armored division cavalry squadron and the infantry division
cavalry squadron are generally the same. Differences in employment
exist only in the scope of operations and in the size of the
area of operations of the two squadrons. These differences are
necessitated by differences in the organization of the squadrons
and in the organization and employment of the armored and infantry
divisions.
c. The squadron is one of the most effective nuclear weapons
target acquisition agencies available to the division commander.
It will frequently be through its efforts that possible nuclear targets
are first identified and, in conjunction with other information collection
agencies, sufficiently developed to define clearly a target for
a nuclear attack. The aerial surveillance platoon, organic to the division
aviation company, when employed under operational control
of the squadron commander, increases the capability of the squadron
to identify, locate, and develop targets for nuclear weapons
attack.
d. The squadron may be employed to exploit the effects of a
nuclear explosion.
e. Elements of the squadron may frequently be employed to
conduct damage assessment reconnaissance of the area of operations
affected by a nuclear explosion or CBR attack, either friendly
or enemy, to determine the extent of damage and the degree of
contamination prior to the entry of other forces. When this is
done following an enemy nuclear detonation or CBR attack, the
armored cavalry squadron may have the mission of assisting in the
reorganization and re-establishment of command, control, and com-
AGO 4088B 167