United States. Department of Defense

“ It must be far enough away from the surveillance element so that if one of the two elements is discovered by an enemy force, the other element has enough stand-off to prevent them from being discovered also. ”

“ When the infiltration is complete, the team leader accounts for all personnel, equipment, and supplies. Injuries are treated. If an incapacitating injury occurs, the team leader must decide, based on guidance, whether to continue the mission or request extraction. The casualty's equipment and supplies are redistributed. The most critical task is verifying the team's location. This must be done at the infiltration site, or as soon as possible after departing the site, if there are no identifiable terrain features at the infiltration site. ”

“ When behind enemy lines, a team's most successful evasions may involve, at some point, air or water movement away from enemy-held territory. b. Evasion and escape plans cover three phases:
Phase one occurs after entry into the area of operations. Phase two occurs near the area of operations. It allows the team to pursue its mission with a reasonable chance of success. Phase three occurs after the mission is accomplished. It is often the most difficult time to evade and escape. c. The team may be required to hide for several days to allow the enemy to become complacent before trying to move. ”

“ ACTIONS IN THE AREA OF OPERATIONS The primary method of employing surveillance teams is in a hide or surveillance site. However, the terrain, mission, and location of the site may dictate that the team leader establish a separate surveillance site (s) to effectively observe the area.
a. Noise, light, litter, and odor discipline must be maintained at all times. The team curbs movement (day and night) and talks only in whispers. Arm-and-hand signals are the normal mode of communication ”

“ Areas along exfiltration routes are uninhabited. The enemy force is widely dispersed or is under such pressure that it is difficult for them to concentrate against the exfiltrating team. The enemy force can stop air or water extraction. Friendly forces are conducting offensive operations and anticipate movement over or occupation of the area in which the team is operating.
Section V. RECOVERY PHASE The recovery phase covers the arrival at the debriefing site to notification of follow-on missions. ”

“ Diversionary actions, such as airstrikes in other areas, to distract the enemy from the intended target area. Increased reconnaissance flights over false areas to further confuse the enemy. c. Speed and Mobility. Speed is essential to limit the amount of time required to insert the team. Individual loads must be tailored to enhance speed and mobility, and balanced with the mission-related items necessary to achieve mission success. If possible, the team should carry only what they need immediately and cache the rest. ”

“ The team leader positions himself where he can best control the team. The team moves on routes that best conceal its movement from enemy observation, and cover its movement from direct enemy fire. The formation closes when moving through obstructions (darkness, smoke, heavy brush, narrow passes, and minefields) . If the formation closes to single file, team members react as does the member to their immediate front. The formation opens when obstructions to movement and control lessen. b. Movement Security. Each team member must be security conscious. ”

“ The number of assembly areas depends on the location, the size of the available assembly areas, and the enemy's detection capability.
(1) Using the clock method, jumpers are briefed on the location of the assembly area (s) in relation to the direction of flight of the insertion aircraft with the direction of flight as 12 o'clock. (2) Terrain association may be used as a backup method of designating assembly areas, but it has obvious disadvantages if the unit misses the drop zone, or if an in-flight change in mission dictates use of a new drop zone. ”

“ With the adverse weather aerial delivery system, personnel and equipment can be airdropped during bad weather, even during zero-visibility conditions. Insertions may be made (day or night) without a pre-positioned USAF combat control team or an Army assault team. The supporting air unit requires both extensive DZ intelligence and significant lead time. Thorough planning and coordination are essential between all forces involved in the operation. ”

“ Once beyond this area (and perhaps for most of the route) , teams will be beyond the range of conventional artillery, and must depend on air (and perhaps naval) assets for fire support. (5) Since teams depend on the transporting unit during this phase, coordinating all aspects of the air insertion with the transporting units is essential. To lower the chances of detection, teams make the best use of reduced visibility, tactical cover, and deception. Drop zones and landing zones should be behind tree lines, in small forest clearings, or on other inconspicuous terrain. ”

“ In the planning phase, sand tables are extremely effective for orienting personnel on unfamiliar drop zones and surrounding terrain. The use of sand tables and terrain models during the issuance of prejump orders and briefings enhances orderly and rapid assembly on the ground. ”

“ The site is near the target area so that information may be collected through close-in observation and sound detection. The remainder of the team stays in the hide site. The surveillance site and the route to and from it are selected during good visibility. Members go in and out of the surveillance site during limited visibility. One member observes, one records, and one maintains security to the rear and flanks. Only passive night vision devices are used to help prevent detection. ”

“ The team must maintain the advantage of operating by stealth regardless of the infiltration method. Infiltration requires the support of the corps or division staff to include the G2, G3, fire support officer, air defense artillery officer, and air liaison officer. Certain fundamentals apply to every infiltration. ”

“ STAND-DOWN After equipment maintenance and turn-in, the team is allowed to stand-down. The length of the stand-down depends on the team's condition and existing mission requirements. Teams are allowed to relax as much as possible during stand-down ”

“ The enemy does not have air and naval superiority. Heavily populated hostile areas obstruct exfiltration. The team cannot be resupplied. Casualties must be extracted. b. Techniques. Several techniques may be used to extract the LRS teams:
(1) Helicopter landing. This is the best method. It lets the team board the helicopter with their equipment in the least time. (2) Troop ladder. The troop ladder allows the team members to board the helicopter. But, if necessary, the helicopter can lift off while soldiers are still on the ladder. (3) SPIES or FRIES extraction systems. ”

“ Sand table briefings, map study, and photograph examinations should complement rehearsals. Standard rehearsals should include the following: Off-loading and assembly procedures at points of insertion. Movement formations. Lost-man drill. Security halt procedures. Actions at possible danger areas. Actions in the objective area (entering; maintenance; and sterilization of the hide, surveillance, and communication sites) .At a minimum, during hasty planning, rehearsals of actions in the objective area are always completed. Reaction drill for aircraft flyover (friendly or enemy) . ”

“ Both systems allow rapid pickup of an LRS team on land or in water by helicopter. Personnel are picked up and moved--suspended on a rope beneath the helicopter--to an area where the aircraft can land. The team members then board the helicopter. (4) Jungle penetrator. The jungle penetrator retrieves personnel from areas where helicopters cannot land. It can pick up one to three persons at a time. 3-21. LAND EXFILTRATION Land exfiltration is favored when friendly lines are close or no other means of extraction is available. ”

“ During reduced visibility, a night vision plan is necessary during landing, assembly, and movement. (4) During parachute insertion, team members must be ready for enemy engagement at all times, particularly on the drop zone. Immediate action drills are required to counter enemy contact on the drop zone. ”

“ High-altitude, low-opening or high-altitude, high-opening jumps with high-performance parachutes let the jumpers maneuver to a specific point on the ground. During these operations, midair assembly procedures may be used. (3) Low-altitude jumps with the rough-terrain suit allow jumpers to land in unimproved drop zones with little dispersion. After these operations, the LRS teams cache the equipment to prevent detection. ”

“ Rehearsals cannot be overemphasized. The team rapidly assembles, reorganizes, and leaves the insertion site. (5) Fire support, if available, may be artillery, naval gunfire, attack helicopters, or USAF tactical aircraft. The fire support plan supports all other plans. Supporting fires are thoroughly coordinated with the air mission commander. (6) Other planning considerations are evasion and escape, actions at the last LZ, assembly plan, downed aircraft procedures, control measures, weather delays, deception plans, and OPSEC. 3-8. ”

“ LRS teams accomplish this by collecting the commanders' PIR. Without answers to PIR, the commander cannot make an informed decision as to how to fight the battle. By contrast, the well-informed commander can develop feasible courses of action and make logical decisions on how to fight the battle. ”

“ Contingency provisions should be made for air and water rescue as well. b. Special Airborne Assault Techniques. In airborne insertions during limited visibility, major emphasis is placed on use of special delivery or navigational techniques. ”