1966 US Army Vietnam War ARMOR ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMb. The commander conducting the reconnais- mation is to be sought, and when the mission issance uses radio as the primary means of con- to be executed. Essential details may includetrol.Phase lines, checkpoints, contact points, a. Pertinent information of the enemy andboundaries, routes, objectives, and time limita- friendly troops.tions are used by the commander in controllinghis unit. Liaison personnel, staff officers, messengers,and aircraft are used to assist in the c. Specific information desired.rapid transmission of reconnaissance instruc- d. Zone, area, or route to be reconnoitered.tions and reports.e. When, where, and how information is to84. Reconnaissance Instructions be reported to the higher commander,f. Time of departure.g. Appropriate control measures.h. Action to be taken when mission is com-pleted.Reconnaissance instructions must be completeand include exactly what combat informationis to be obtained, the time by which theinformation must be reported, where the infor-Section II. SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS85. General ner as that used for reporting informationa. Battlefield surveillance involves the sys- gained visually. Aircraft equipped with intematicand continuous observation of selected frared and radar provide a simultaneous transareas,routes, or static locations such as cross- mission of imagery data from the aircraft to aroads, bridges, aircraft landing areas, or other ground station (data link) where the imageryspecific type installations. Factors influencing is recorded for processing and subsequent evalsurveillanceare visibility, terrain, natural or uation. The data link equipment normally is lomanmadeconcealment, enemy air defense ca- cated near the force headquarters to facilitatepabilities (aerial surveillance), and types of the immediate passage of information (FMsurveillance equipment. Units performing sur- 30-20).veillance missions provide commanders with c. Photographic. Photo coverage by armorcurrent information by keeping a systematic units performing a surveillance mission usualwatchover the assigned surveillance area for ly is limited to hand-held or special mountedthe purpose of detecting, locating, identifying, cameras operated from organic aircraft. Otherand reporting information of military value. type aerial photo coverage is provided byb. Although surveillance as part of unit se- Army aviation or Air Force units.curity is conducted in each combat operationby all combat units, surveillance as discussed 87. Surveillance Agenciesin this section is an assigned mission to be con- a. Armor units capable of performing surductedby an armor unit.veillance missions are the armored cavalry regiment,86. Types of Surveillance the divisional armored cavalry squad-ron, and the reconnaissance or scout platoona. Visual. Visual surveillance is accom- organic to each combat maneuver battalion.plished by air cavalry or ground armor units. Armored cavalry regiments and divisional cav-Reports of an immediate nature are relayed by alry squadrons are capable of performing bothradio through intelligence or command chan- air and ground surveillance. Tank units maynels, depending on the channel established by perform surveillance missions; however, it isthe surveillance mission order.not considered an appropriate mission sinceb. Electronic. Electronic surveillance is per- the firepower of these units can be better utiformedthrough the use of ground and airborne lized in other combat missions.radar and infrared equipment. Information se- b. Army aviation units provide air observacuredby use of ground mounted radar and in- tion, photography, and electronic surveillance.frared equipment is reported in the same man- They are excellent units to supplement the48