United States. Department of Defense

“ Under certain circumstances, such as when the enemy has a strong low-level air defense artillery system, a high-altitude drop may be best. The aerial resupply and accompanying bundle system can automatically deliver a payload into a small area from high altitudes and substantial lateral distances. ”

“ ENGINEER SUPPORT During retrograde operations or withdrawal of covering forces in defensive operations, surveillance teams may be used in a stay-behind mode. When the tactical situation permits, engineers may be used to prepare underground hide sites and surveillance sites. Topographical engineers may help select positions and may provide computer-generated topographical terrain base products for teams planning missions. ”

“ Performance suffers from the disruption of the normal sleep schedule. Mental fatigue. This results from having to make decisions of serious consequences in too little time, with too little information, and while exposed to danger. ”

“ Required supplies are normally carried in by the teams to preclude compromise during resupply. When resupply of deployed surveillance teams is required, a drop point is established well away from the hide site and the surveillance site. The following paragraphs describe the classes of supply and how their supply operations affect LRS missions.
a. Class I. Special planning and coordination is required in Class I support of LRS. All elements of the unit must be considered. Base radio stations are ideally collocated with a unit or activity that can provide mess support and security services. ”

“ Fixed-wing aerial fire support may come from Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps units. The type of unit providing support, the aircraft, and the mix of ordnance carried, all affect the fire support planning and coordination process. ”

“ Deployed teams normally rely on the Class I they can carry into their area of operations. They may also carry freeze-dried rations. For long missions, the team must consider caching rations. Resupply should be the last resort. b. Class II Through IX. These classes of supply are not required in great volume. For normal Army stocked items, the LRSC supply sergeant submits requests to the unit designated to provide support. The LRSD commander submits requests through the unit to which the LRSD is organic or attached. ”

“ LRSUs lack the ability to support themselves in terms of combat support and combat service support. Mission analysis may dictate the requirement for combat support and combat service support from outside the company or detachment. ”

“ Additional medical support is requested as needed. When possible, medical evacuation of team members is delayed until the whole team is evacuated from the area of operations. Wounded team members are sent directly to the nearest medical facility that can provide definitive care and treatment.
b. Combat stress is another medical aspect with which surveillance teams must cope. Due to the nature of LRS missions, the teams are subjected to stress in many ways. ”

“ LRS teams require assistance from the Air Force for insertion, extraction, or close air support. Specially trained USAF crews are proficient in special operations, low-level flight. These crews can also operate using the adverse weather aerial delivery system. ”

“ Perform other potential missions as directed by the commander to include: emplace remote sensors; conduct radiological or chemical surveys; direct fire missions for artillery, naval gunfire, or close air support; and conduct pathfinder or linkup operations, or both. b. Navy and Marine Corps. Both the USN and the USMC have units equipped and trained to support ground forces. LRS operations may require the following support: (1) Close air support from fixed- or rotary-wing attack aircraft against targets in or around the target area. ”