United States. Department of Defense

“ One reconnaissance and security team, with one security team that will follow the reconnaissance and security team (for example, about 50 meters back) , acts as a quick-reaction force. The entire team departs the objective area when the reconnaissance is complete. b. In a reconnaissance and security team, the reconnaissance can be done by one or two individuals; the rest of the element provides security. The team leader controls this movement with arm-and-hand signals. The number of soldiers in a reconnaissance and security team may vary depending on the mission. ”

“ Surveillance is the primary mission of long-range surveillance teams. However they can conduct limited reconnaissance missions primarily within the human intelligence realm and within the doctrinally stated LRSU operational area. A reconnaissance mission significantly increases a team's vulnerability and, thus, chances of compromise. The mobility of a team is limited to foot movement and with the typical loads that an LRS team carries, the size of the area they can reconnoiter is greatly reduced. ”

“ As the scout swimmers reach the surf zone or when they get close to the beach landing site, they use the breaststroke to observe the beach. The scout swimmers must use stealth and caution while approaching the beach and keep a low profile in the water as well as when on the beach. One scout swimmer should periodically keep watch to the rear to warn of large waves that may injure the swimmers or separate them from their equipment. When the scout swimmers reach shallow enough water and when they determine that the situation is safe enough, they remove their fins. ”

“ ACTIVITIES The range of situations requiring the employment of military forces is as great as the variety of peoples nursing grievances in the world and the possibility of natural and man-made disasters. ”

“ Dismounting Procedures. The familiarization training phase is the time to ensure all members are aware that when the terrain allows, and on reaching the ground, they should immediately head in the direction of the nose or 12 o'clock of the aircraft. This allows the pilot to see that the team is out from under the aircraft. If an emergency situation with the helicopter arises at this point, the pilot can make a better appraisal of the situation if he can see all the members of the team at the 12 o'clock position. ”

“ PLANNING Use of stay-behind operations is often the most advantageous means of infiltration for an LRS team when friendly forces anticipate enemy offensive and friendly defensive operations. Stay-behind can also be used effectively when friendly forces are conducting limited offensive or reconnaissance operations. In both cases, the forward friendly unit escorts the LRS team to the area of operations and provides security for site preparation. Use of a subsurface hide site also allows the LRS team to stock extensive supplies, which allows the team to operate for an extended period. ”

“ The SPIES master informs the pilot of any unexpected drift occurring that could cause the team to be pulled through an obstruction. These commands or directives are given in conjunction with the crew chief, whose primary attention is to the safety of the aircraft, and any possible interference of the tail rotor. (3) The team should hookup the same as in familiarization procedures and sling individual weapons over the shoulders. Weapons and equipment are secured to withstand the wind. Rifles should have a safety line attached to prevent a lost weapon during SPIES operations. ”

“ Operations other than war are the military activities during peacetime and conflicts that do not necessarily involve armed clashes between two organized forces. Typical peacetime operations include disaster relief nation assistance, security and advisory assistance, counterdrug operations, arms control, treaty verification, support to domestic civil authority and peacekeeping. ”

“ SPIES is not recommended for infiltration because team members are exposed the entire time. The nature of SPIES operations is such that a thorough briefing is required for all participants before the operation is conducted. For personnel being extracted, they must receive extensive training in the SPIES extraction before infiltration. ”

“ Offshore navigation may be needed if a team is inserted by going from a larger vessel to their small boat. This type of navigation is confirmed by experienced naval personnel on board the larger vessel. Conventional navigation methods are suitable for conducting boat operations inshore and along streams or in small lakes. During infiltration operations in large lakes and large rivers, supplementary navigation equipment may be required. This is especially true when operations are conducted at night or during other limited visibility. ”

“ Aircraft liftoff must be vertical until all team members and the bottom end of the rope have cleared the water. During the initial liftoff, team members must know that they are going to be dragged through the water. They should be prepared to roll on their backs until clear of the water. (4) Flight speed and altitude should be the same as over land. The dismounting procedures also remain the same, except when landing on a ship. Once on board, all members must take their orders from personnel in charge of the deck. ”

“ The team leader and pilot maintain communications by using the aircraft's troop commander's handset or by requesting a separate headset. (a) Team leader initiates movement once aircraft has landed. The far-side and near-side teams move to the aircraft, in file, with the team leader always leading the near-side group. (b) Team leaders should-- Ensure all personnel wear and carry rucksacks on the aircraft. Notify the crew chief when all team members are on board and ready for liftoff. Ensure all personnel buckle up as soon as they are in their assigned seats. f. Landing Zone Operations. ”

“ Team members can fire their individual weapons, using the hip position and with the barrel directed downward at a 45-degree angle and outward. (6) Once the aircraft has cleared vertical obstacles, the RATELO, who is the lowest man on the SPIES rope gives the signal to the pilot that the team has cleared the obstacle. This is especially important during limited visibility even when the pilot is using night vision goggles, because of the difficulty in determining depth perception 120 feet below the aircraft. ”

“ The team makes the needed coordination for mission accomplishment. The beach landing site is critical, because it facilitates and supports the inland objective. Some of the factors that determine the feasibility of a beach landing site are hydrography, enemy situation, navigation aids, distance from debarkation point to beach landing site, beach vegetation and conditions, and exit routes from the objective. The infiltration normally takes place during darkness to provide the stealth needed by an LRS team. ”

“ MOVEMENT Route selection should take advantage of rugged and normally inaccessible terrain to decrease the chance of enemy detection. Movement distances for the LRS team are short and should exceed more than several days because of the terrain and the equipment loads. This also necessitates resupply as a priority once the team arrives in the area of operations. ”

“ The No. 1 paddler (team leader) is the observer. He is responsible for the storage and use of the bowline. The No. 2 paddler (RATELO) is responsible for setting the stroke. The No. 3 and No. 4 paddlers (observers) are responsible for paddling and flank and rear security. The navigator (observer) assists the coxswain; he does not paddle. a. Preparation of Personnel and Equipment. Each person puts on a work vest and a life preserver with harness unbuckled at the waist. The rifle is slung over the life preserver, opposite the inboard side, muzzle down. ”

“ Proper donning of the harness. Methods of extraction and insertion used. Emergency signals that all personnel are required to know. When time and situation permit, personnel who are not familiar with SPIES are encouraged to watch or take part in the rigging of the helicopter. This not only builds personnel confidence in the equipment, but it assists in a more comprehensive training of new SPIES masters. All individuals not familiar with SPIES use it the first time without combat equipment to instill confidence and to become familiar with SPIES procedures. ”

“ It is best used during daylight hours and for short distances. (2) Navigator-observer methods. This is the most accurate means of river navigation and can be used effectively in all light conditions. Equipment needed to do this is a compass, photo map (first choice) , topography map (second choice) , poncho (for night use) , and pencil and flashlight (for night use) . (a) The navigator is positioned in the front of the boat and does not paddle. The navigator keeps his map and compass oriented at all times. To check the map during darkness, he uses his flashlight under a poncho. ”

“ Every situation is unique and depends on the extent of involvement of US forces and the nature of the operations. Chief considerations when planning combined operations are command and control, intelligence, operational procedures, and CSS.
d. Operational Security. OPSEC is critical for LRS in operations other than war. Due to the potential for other forces (US or host nation) to operate near LRS teams, LRS commanders must carefully coordinate to reduce the risk of fratricide. This requirement poses an equally dangerous risk to OPSEC for the teams. ”

“ LRSU teams must be prepared to conduct several means of infiltration and exfiltration to accomplish a variety of LRSU missions. A team that is prepared to conduct these operations increases its chances of survival and successful mission accomplishment. The methods used to accomplish these missions are waterborne, helicopter airborne, stay-behind, vehicle, and foot movement operations. ”

“ The cast master ensures the pilot does not exceed 10 feet of altitude (above ground level) and 10 knots of speed when dropping personnel. (4) When casting from the ramp, jumpers assume a normal prepare to land attitude. (5) When casting from a side door, jumpers cast from a seated door position. On the cast master's command, jumpers push off and face the direction of flight, assuring a normal prepare to land attitude. (6) Bundles or rucksacks are thrown before the jumper exists on the command GO. (7) Upon entering the water, the jumper gives an "okay" signal to the cast master and safety boat. ”

“ Dead water has no current because of erosion and changes in the river course. Dead water is characterized by an increase in snags and debris. (5) An island is usually a pear-shaped land mass in the main current of the river. Upstream portions of islands usually catch debris and should be avoided. (6) Sandbars are at those points where a tributary feeds into the main body of a river or stream. (7) The current in a narrow part of a reach is normally greater than in the wide portion. The current is greatest on the outside of a curve. ”

“ It ensures that soldiers, equipment, and supplies are loaded on the correct aircraft. Unit integrity is maintained when aircraft loads are planned. Cross-loading may be necessary to ensure survivability of command and control assets and the mix of weapons arriving at LZ ready to fight. The platoon or team leader should always ensure that the aircraft is loaded so that dismounting soldiers react promptly and contribute to mission accomplishment. ”

“ The standing end of the sling rope may be fastened to the deck tie-down or by using a snap link. Although the line should be kept out of the way, the primary consideration should be its length. It must be long enough for any swinging or rotating in the SPIES during flight. m. Inspection. The SPIES is inspected by a certified rigger when serviceability is questioned by the SPIES master and at six-month intervals. Outdated, spliced, abraded, or cut rope is removed from service. ”

“ Short-range observation increases the chance the team will be detected. The enemy may employ anti-intrusion devices and patrols close to their key installations. Inclement weather may reduce the sounds of the reconnaissance team's movement and limited visibility favors short-range observation. ”

“ Rules of engagement must be monitored to ensure that all teams know when and how to apply force to meet specific situations. Commanders must avoid rules of engagement that are vague or detailed. Each soldier must understand the rules as they apply to him. LRS teams must adjust rapidly to changes in the rules of engagement. ”

“ If soldiers are engaged by nearby enemy positions, they treat it as a near ambush by immediately returning fire. Soldiers who consider themselves in the kill zone may assault the enemy position (s) or attempt to leave the kill zone. ”

“ To reduce the risk to LRS teams, commanders should consider deception, particularly during insertion of the teams. False landing zones and dummy radio transmissions are two techniques to deceive the enemy. Deception is limited only by the imagination but should be coordinated through the G2.
g. Technology. Technology is a proven combat multiplier. Advanced optics, thermal sights, and remote sensors are available and can increase the capabilities of the LRS teams. ”

“ Soldiers not in the kill zone provide supporting fire to support the movement of soldiers in the kill zone. (9) The LRS team leader calls for close air support, if it is available. (10) Once disengaged from the enemy force, the team leader moves the unit to a covered and concealed position, accounts for personnel and equipment, and assesses the situation as to whether or not the unit can continue its mission. (11) The team leader may elect to call for an emergency extraction using the SPIES extraction method. ”