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

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMapproach along the route. The com-semble. These areas are patrolled.mander maintains a centrally locatedWhenever possible, a small reserve isand highly mobile reserve to counterretained in a central location, preenemythreats that develop.pared to move rapidly to any part of(2) If the lines of communication are long the area. When the size of the areaand must be guarded over a great dis-and lack of troops preclude the holdtance,both flanks of the route areing of a reserve, threatened areas arecovered by a series of observationreinforced by security forces locatedposts. These observation posts warnin adjacent areas and which are notof enemy approach. Aircraft or airactively engaged with the enemy.cavalry elements may be employed (2) The key to success against airborneto provide early warnings. The re-or airlanded forces is rapid deploymainderof the rear area securityment and the placing of maximumforce may be employed to patrol thefires on the airborne or airmobileline of communication and escort ve-forces during the early phases of thehides moving through the area, or itlanding. Consequently, movement tomay be positioned as small reserves atattack enemy forces is of paramountlocations along the route of communi-importance and piecemeal commitcation.The security force commanderment may be required.must control reserve groupings so (3) Action against guerrilla forces inthathe can employ them singly or includes defensive actions to preventmass. Plans are prepared to commit or minimize their effectiveness, andthe reserve in likely areas of enemyoffensive actions to destroy them.activity. Aircraft may be employed toGuerrilla forces must be detected earincreasethe mobility of dismountedly, taken under fire, and attacked rapelementsof the reserve.idly to destroy them.c. Protecting an Installation. An installation e. Army Air or Air Cavalry Elements.in the rear area may be of such importance as These units may be employed to perform airto warrant protection beyond the capability of reconnaissance of rear areas and reconnoiterthe local commander operating the installation. likely landing areas for airborne and airmobileAdditional forces should be attached to the lo- forces. The capability of air cavalry units tocal commander for this purpose. As an alterna- move at relatively high speeds without regardtive, the commander of the rear area security to terrain obstacles should be used to the maxiforcemay be charged with the responsibility of mum to locate, destroy within their capability,the installation defense. In this case, the local and maintain contact with enemy forces.installation commander would be relieved ofthis responsibility.107. Air Defense Security Measuresd. Security Against Airborne, Airmobile, a. General. Armor units are vulnerable toand Guerrilla Force Attack.air attacks during all phases of operations. Ac-(1) When protecting a rear area against tive air defense means available include tactienemyairborne, airmobile, or guerril- cal aircraft, Army air defense artillery weaplaforces, the commander deploys his ons, and organic weapons. Passive air defensetroops to best counter the enemy means include air warning systems, concealthreat.The commander reconnoiters ment, and dispersion.the area and selects likely drop zones b. Air Warning System. Air attack alerts arefor airborne forces, landing areas for given by hand signals, radio, a continuousairmobile forces, and potential assem- series of short blasts on a vehicle horn, bugles,bly areas for guerrilla forces. He es- whistles, or other available wind instruments,tablishes observation posts to view depending on the situation. Air alert sentrieslikely drop zones, landing areas, and are on duty in every vehicle during a march.areas where guerrilla forces may as- Air alert observation posts are established in59