United States. Department of Defense

“ LEADERSHIP Leadership gives purpose, direction, and motivation in combat. A leader's competence and confidence results in effective unit action. A leader must know how to analyze the situation quickly and make decisions rapidly.
a. Long-Range Surveillance Company. LRSC leadership includes the company commander, executive officer, operations officer, intelligence officer, first sergeant, liaison noncommissioned officer, chemical noncommissioned officer, communications platoon leader, surveillance platoon leaders, platoon sergeants, and team leaders. ”

“ Performing all mission requirements from the hide site is not always possible or desirable. Under those circumstances, a separate surveillance site (s) is chosen. The general location is determined during planning and pinpointed after the team is on the ground. The surveillance site is normally close to the hide site with an accessible route over terrain that conceals the connecting route. A primary site and an alternate site are always selected. In some environments, primary and alternate sites are selected for both day and limited visibility conditions. ”

“ Long-range surveillance units use infantry and ranger skills combined with skilled communication operators and intelligence personnel to collect and report battlefield intelligence. The fundamentals of LRS operations are command and control, communication, mission development, and operational security. ”

“ The commander can then consistently make decisions faster than the enemy. The corps and division intelligence systems support operations by obtaining specific information required to confirm or deny indicators to satisfy the commander's PIR. The LRSU is tasked to collect information on surveillance targets to satisfy some of these SIR. The G2 ensures that assigned LRSU targets satisfy both PIR and IR and offer a reasonable chance of mission accomplishment and team survivability. ”

“ He must know the capabilities of his detachment and how to tactically employ them. He must also know the capabilities of the CS and CSS units supporting the detachment. He exercises command through his team leaders, base radio station section chiefs, and detachment sergeant. He employs the detachment based on missions and taskings from the division G2 CM&D. He maintains close liaison with the staff of the headquarters to which he is assigned, to include participation in mission planning. He stays abreast of the situation at all times and locates where he can best influence the action. ”

“ Weather and terrain conditions reporting is an inherent capability of LRSUs. LRSUs can also perform in limited collateral activities such as pathfinder operations and combat search and rescue operations. The individual unit METL defines the mission it must perform. Surveillance teams use stealth in conducting their missions. Movement within the target areas is limited to mission accomplishment. In restricted visibility conditions, observers may move closer to the target area. ”

“ The LZ is normally controlled by the operations NCO; however, during some operations, a team or the communications section is tasked to set up and control the LZ. (3) Each surveillance team is assigned an area within which it sets up a team CP. When a team is deployed, the detachment sergeant provides security for the team area and equipment not required for the mission. (4) The communications section is assigned a working area where they set up and operate the detachment wire net and provide communication equipment maintenance and logistical support. ”

“ Ground-based and airborne intercept equipment available throughout the world is technically sophisticated, rugged, and easy to maintain. Enemy forces must be considered to have a modern intercept capability.
c. Enemy direction-finding capability is comparable to their intercept capability. Various types of mobile, directional antenna systems can be used in a radio direction-finding role. Forward-area mobile elements include a VHF tactical radio direction finder with an Adcock antenna, as well as the pole dish radar direction finder. ”

“ Teams may operate in areas in which fires cannot be restricted. In such instances, the committed team is briefed on known strikes and warning procedures of impending friendly fires, air strikes, and nuclear and chemical operations. (3) Detailed planning is required in situations where an LRS team may link up with advancing friendly units. The team must be familiar with general linkup procedures. As details become available, the commander informs the team of frequencies, call signs, and code words. The LRS team is normally the stationary element. ”

“ When this situation occurs, a liaison with a base radio station from the COB, DOB, or AOB locates with the brigade TOC. A G2 CM&D liaison may accompany the LRS control element for mission planning.
Section II. COMMUNICATIONS The accurate and timely reporting of information by the surveillance teams is the most important aspect of the LRSU mission. Without communications, there is no reason to insert a team deep into the enemy's rear area. Well thought out, planned, and practiced communication procedures helps ensure the success of a mission. ”

“ Terrain and Weather Reporting. The LRS team can provide accurate terrain data and current weather conditions in and around potential targets. Human intelligence on current conditions helps greatly to ensure success of operations. ”

“ Communication is a two-way event and everyone must know the procedures.
2-9. COMMUNICATION NETS The LRSU team deploys out of line-of-sight communication range. Ordinary combat net radio systems cannot support the reporting requirements of the LRSU. Tactical FM radios, like single-channel ground and airborne radio system, must be in sight of each other electronically to communicate. ”

“ Cryptograph security includes using authorized codes and key lists. Only National Security Agency approved codes are authorized for encoding and decoding US Army message traffic. The same is true of mechanical cryptograph systems. ”

“ The unit's communication personnel establish this net using organic wire and telephones.
2-10. MESSAGES AND REPORTS The base radio station communicates with teams during specified communication times. A separate time is established for each team. The number of scheduled times used by the LRSU depends on METT-T. The employed team must be protected from enemy interception and direction finding. Too many scheduled times put a team at risk, while not enough scheduled times could minimize the importance of time-sensitive intelligence. OPSEC demands must be weighed with frequency availability. ”

“ Analyzes assigned missions, plans employment of teams, and prepares or approves operation orders before they go to the commander. Keeps the commander informed of current and projected tactical situations at all times. Supervises the preparation of all operational and intelligence documents. Supervises coordination with higher and supporting headquarters. Reports the operational status of committed and uncommitted LRS teams. (2) Assistant operations officer. The assistant operations officer assumes responsibility for the TOC in the absence of the operations officer. ”

“ Movement routes, formations, and actions at danger areas and halts from the infiltration site to the objective area. (8) The fire support plan, which includes plans for indirect and aerial delivered fires. Specific plans include-- Planned fires on movement routes and on and around the objective area. Planned fires on known, suspected, templated, and anticipated enemy positions. Use of smoke to mask movement. Use of illumination to help observation. Fires to aid navigation. ”