ATTACK HELICOPTERS IN THE RECONNAISSANCE ROLE LEADER TRAINING PROGRAM

PURPOSE PROVIDE A BASIS FOR DISCUSSION TO ADDRESS TTPs FOR EMPLOYMENT OF ATTACK HELICOPTERS IN THE RECONNAISSANCE ROLE

BLUF “SUCCESSFUL RECONNAISSANCE IS THE PRECURSOR TO ALL SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS.” FM 100-5

AGENDA RECONNAISSANCE DEFINITIONS FUNDAMENTALS OF RECONNAISSANCE MISSIONS PLANNING EXECUTION CONCLUSION

RECONNAISSANCE DEFINITIONS “RECONNAISSANCE IS A DIRECTED EFFORT TO COLLECT INFORMATION ABOUT ENEMY AND THE FRIENDLY COMMANDER’S AREA OF OPERATIONS.” FM 100-40 “RECONNAISSANCE IS A MISSION UNDERTAKEN TO OBTAIN INFORMATION BY VISUAL OBSERVATION, OR OTHER DETECTION METHODS, ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES OF AN ENEMY, OR ABOUT THE METEOROLOGIC, HYDROGRAPHIC, OR GEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A PARTICULAR AREA.” FM 17-95 “THE MAIN PURPOSE OF RECONNAISSANCE IS TO GAIN INFORMATION OF TACTICAL IMPORTANCE ABOUT THE ENEMY, TERRAIN, AND WEATHER.” FM 1-114

FUNDAMENTALS OF RECONNAISSANCE “MORRGD” CONTINUOUS AND MAXIMUM RECONNAISSANCE FORCES FORWARD ORIENT ON THE RECONNAISSANCE OBJECTIVE REPORT INFORMATION RAPIDLY AND ACCURATELY RETAIN FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT GAIN AND MAINTAIN ENEMY CONTACT DEVELOP THE SITUATION RAPIDLY

GAIN AND MAINTAIN ENEMY CONTACT PARAMOUNT TASK FOR RECONNAISSANCE UNITS MUST DETERMINE SIZE, COMPOSITION, STRENGTH, AND INTENTIONS OF ENEMY FORCES SURVEILLANCE COMBINED WITH STEALTH IS THE PRIMARY TECHNIQUE, COUPLED WITH TARGET HANDOVERS TO ASSETS IN DEPTH FIRE AND MOVEMENT IS UTILIZED IAW METT-T ONCE GAINED, CONTACT IS NOT BROKEN “IF YOU DON’T HOLD THE ENEMY BY THE NOSE, YOU CAN’T KICK HIM IN THE ASS.” PATTON

RECONNAISSANCE OBJECTIVE ORIENT ON THE RECONNAISSANCE OBJECTIVE COMMANDER’S FOCUS THEIR RECON EFFORTS THROUGH RECON OBJECTIVES CLEAR TASK AND PURPOSE IS DELINEATED TO THE SCOUTS RECONNAISSANCE OBJECTIVES MAY BE TERRAIN OR ENEMY ORIENTED ASSIGNED WITH THE LOOKERS / SHOOTERS CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS IN MIND IPB AND PIRs HELP IDENTIFY THE COMMANDER’S RECON OBJECTIVES

RECONNAISSANCE OBJECTIVE ORIENT ON THE RECONNAISSANCE OBJECTIVE (CONT’D) COMMANDER’S MUST REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE RECON OBJECTIVE REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE MISSION. FM 100-40/17-95/1-114 “THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE CONDITIONS OF THE MOUNTAINS AND FORESTS, HAZARDOUS DEFILES, MARSHES AND SWAMPS, CANNOT CONDUCT THE MARCH OF AN ARMY.” SUN TZU

RETAIN FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT RECONNAISSANCE ASSETS MUST BE ABLE TO MANEUVER ON THE BATTLEFIELD SCOUTS MUST NOT BECOME DECISIVELY ENGAGED INITIATIVE, TERRAIN, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENEMY FACILITATES MANEUVER PRIMARY MEANS OF RECONNAISSANCE IS BY STEALTH “COMMANDER’S MANEUVER THEIR FORCES TO CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR TACTICAL AND OPERATIONAL SUCCESS.” FM 100-5

RAPIDLY AND ACCURATELY REPORT INFORMATION RAPIDLY AND ACCURATELY RECONNAISSANCE INFORMATION LOSES VALUE AS TIME PASSES COMMANDER’S REQUIRE INFORMATION QUICKLY TO MAKE DECISIONS SCOUTS MUST REPORT EXACTLY WHAT THEY SEE NEGATIVE SPOT REPORTS OR SEEMINGLY UNIMPORTANT INFORMATION MAY BE CRITICAL TO THE FIGHT

RAPIDLY AND ACCURATELY REPORT INFORMATION RAPIDLY AND ACCURATELY (CONT’D) IPB AND CCIR DELINEATE TO THE SCOUTS WHAT THE RECONNAISSANCE FOCUS IS FOR REPORTING BATTLE AND TARGET HANDOVERS ARE CRITICAL FOR INFORMATION FLOW AND SUSTAINMENT OF EFFORT FM 100-40 / 17-95 “TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT YOU SEE AND WHAT YOU DO. THERES AN ARMY DEPENDING ON US FOR CORRECT INFORMATION.” STANDING ORDER, ROGER’S RANGERS

DEVELOP THE SITUATION RAPIDLY QUICK SITUATION DEVELOPMENT FACILITATES RECONNAISSANCE RECON ASSETS MUST DEPLOY IMMEDIATELY UPON CONTACT MUST AGGRESSIVELY SCOUT FOR GAPS, WEAKNESS, AND FLANKS OF ENEMY RECONNAISSANCE BY FIRE MAY BE NECESSARY TO GAIN REQUIRED INFORMATION MUST HAVE BATTLE DRILLS AND SOPs THAT ADDRESS ACTIONS ON CONTACT FIRE AND MANEUVER

AIRCRAFT CAPABILITIES WEAPONS TGT ACQ TGT REC AIRCRAFT SUPPRESSION POINT TGT ENDURANCE FLIR DTV FLIR DTV 30MM 2.75” RKT AH-64A HELLFIRE 2 HR 10 MIN 6.5 KM 8.0 KM 3.5 KM 6.0 KM (39.8X) (127X) W/ 1 AUX TANK 3 HR 40 MIN UHF/VHF/ SINCGARS 72 MIN VIDEO RECORD HELLFIRE 2 HR 10 MIN 50 CAL 2.75” RKT 8+ KM 5.0 KM OH-58D KW UHF/VHF/ SINCGARS (25X) (37.3X) 8MM VIDEO RECORD

MISSIONS RECONNAISSANCE ZONE AREA ROUTE RECON IN FORCE

PLANNING

BATTALION PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS CDR’S INTENT CRITICAL TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED TASK ORGANIZATION START POINT, RELEASE POINT, AND DESIGNATION OF THE OBJECTIVE MISSION CONSTRAINTS/RESTRICTIONS CRITICAL POINTS IDENTIFIED AS CHECKPOINTS NAIs IPB FARP EMPLOYMENT

BATTALION PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS (CONT’D) GROUND COMMANDER’S SCHEME OF MANEUVER LOCATION OF FRIENDLIES FIRE (FA, MORTARS, CAS) CCIRs FOLLOW-ON MISSION PASSAGE OF LINES / BHO

R&S PLANNING NORMALLY PLANNED BY THE S2 AND COORDINATED WITH THE S3 TO CONFIRM OR DENY THE S2’s TEMPLATING TREND: R&S PLANNING NOT FOCUSED TREND REVERSAL - APPOINT “CHIEF OF RECONNAISSANCE” WHO IS NOT THE S2 OR S3, BUT HAS TASKING AUTHORITY RECOMMEND A/S3 AS CHIEF OF RECON PLANNING CELL INCLUDES A/S2, A/FSO, A/S4 CHIEF OF RECON RESPONSIBLE FOR PLAN/PREPARATION/EXECUTION OF RECON EFFORT

R&S PLANNING (CONT’D) INTELLIGENCE REQUIREMENTS ARE PRIORITIZED FOR R&S MISSIONS AND REFINED AS SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION ORDERS ECONOMY OF EFFORT IS NECESSARY WHEN REQUIREMENTS OUTWEIGH ASSETS S2 PLANS SECONDARY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ASSETS “COMMANDERS MUST FOCUS INTELLIGENCE. THEY MUST DECIDE WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW FOR THE OPERATION TO SUCCEED. THIS INCLUDES ESTABLISHING CLEAR PRIORITIES FOR INTELLIGENCE AND TARGETS. MY GOAL WAS TO LIMIT MY QUESTIONS TO SIX.” GENERAL FREDRICK FRANKS JR.

PLANNING TREND REVERSAL AIR / GROUND INTEGRATION C2 RELATIONSHIP OF AIR / GROUND TROOPS... NORMALLY SQDNs HAVE CONTROL. AIR / GROUND TEAMS MAY BE FORMED AS NECESSARY DURING THE MISSION AIR TROOP ROTATION PLAN AND MISSIONS GROUND TROOP MISSIONS CRITICAL TASKS TO BE PERFORMED BY EACH AIR AND GROUND ELEMENT

PLANNING TREND REVERSAL FIRE SUPPORT PLANNING OBSERVER PLAN COMMUNICATIONS PLAN FROM OBSERVER TO FSO FIRE SUPPORT COORDINATION MEASURES TARGETING PROCESS TASK AND PURPOSE OF EACH TARGET (CDR’S CONCEPT / INTENT FOR FIRES)

PLANNING TREND REVERSAL COMMANDER’S GUIDANCE / INTENT CRITICAL TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED ENGAGE / BYPASS CRITERIA TASK AND PURPOSE OF RECONNAISSANCE FORCE / SECURITY FORCE

CONTROL MEASURES LATERAL BOUNDARIES START POINT (SP) CONTACT POINTS (CP) COORDINATION POINTS CHECK POINTS PASSAGE POINTS (PP) LINE-OF-DEPARTURE (LD) BATTLE HANDOVER LINE AIR CORRIDOR PHASE LINES (PL) TRPs TIRS LIMIT-OF-ADVANCE (LOA) NAIs

CONTROL MEASURES PL PL PETE PETE (LOA) (LOA) PL MIKE PL MIKE LD/BHL RP PL PETE (LOA) PL PETE (LOA) 20 PL MIKE B C PL MIKE A B SP SP LD/BHL LD/BHL

BATTALION EMPLOYMENT TECHNIQUES LOA LOA RECON FORCE LD LD HA/FAA

BATTALION EMPLOYMENT TECHNIQUES LOA LOA RECON FORCES A B LD LD HA/FAA

BATTALION EMPLOYMENT TECHNIQUES LOA LOA A B B C RECON FORCES LD LD

COMPANY PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS BATTALION TASK ORGANIZATION OPTICS AND WEAPONS RANGES OF AIRCRAFT WEAPONS LOAD STATION TIME VS WEAPONS LOAD RELIEF / BHO PLAN ALL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE BATTALION

WEAPONS LOAD WEAPONS SHOULD BE CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SUPPRESSIVE FIRES TO ALLOW FREEDOM TO MANEUVER AND INCREASED STATION TIME

ACTIONS ON CONTACT DEPLOY / REPORT DEVELOP THE SITUATION CHOOSE COA RECOMMEND COA

RECONNAISSANCE METHODS STEALTH AGGRESSIVE RECON

EXECUTION

ZONE \ AREA RECONNAISSANCE CRITICAL TASKS RECONNOITER ALL TERRAIN WITHIN THE ZONE / AREA INSPECT AND EVALUATE BRIDGES WITHIN THE ZONE / AREA FIND AND REPORT ALL ENEMY FORCES WITHIN THE ZONE / AREA LOCATE ALL FORDS AND CROSSING SITES LOCATE ALL MINES AND OBSTACLES WITHIN THE ZONE / AREA LOCATE BYPASSES AROUND BUAs, OBSTACLES, AND CONTAMINATED AREAS REPORT RECONNAISSANCE INFORMATION

ZONE RECONNAISSANCE LOA LOA NAI NAI PL PL NAI PL PL LD LD

AREA RECONNAISSANCE PL PL OBJ GOLD ALT LZ LZ PAM SUE PL PL LD LD 20 30

ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE CRITICAL TASKS RECON AND DETERMINE TRAFFICABILITY OF THE ROUTE RECON ALL TERRAIN THE ENEMY CAN USE TO DOMINATE MOVEMENT ALONG THE ROUTE RECON ALL BUAs ON THE ROUTE RECON ALL LATERAL ROUTES INSPECT AND EVALUATE BRIDGES AND FORDS

ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE CRITICAL TASKS (CONT’D) RECON ALL DEFILES, OBSTACLES, AND BARRIERS LOCATE BYPASSES FOR ALL OBSTACLES AND BUAs FIND / REPORT ALL ENEMY THAT INFLUENCES ROUTE REPORT ROUTE INFORMATION

ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE RP LOA LOA PL PL PL PL SP LD LD

RECON IN FORCE HA/FAA

MOVEMENT TO CONTACT EA SMASH

CONCLUSION RECONNAISSANCE IS A MISSION, NOT A PLATFORM ATTACK HELICOPTERS PROVIDE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO RECONNAISSANCE THROUGH FLEXIBILITY, SPEED, OPTICS, AND FIREPOWER PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS MUST INCLUDE ORGANIC WEAPONS RANGES AND OPTICS CAPABILITIES/LIMITATIONS R&S PLANNING IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS

ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES 50 10 30 SCOUTs PROVIDE FIRE DISTRIBUTION USING TRP 30 40 20 RED TM FIRES FOR LEAD SCOUT BLUE TM FIRES FOR WING SCOUT LEAD WING REMOTE SHOOTERS SCOUT DESIGNATORS REMOTE SHOOTERS SECURITY

ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES SCOUT PLT LDR CONTROLS FIRE DISTRIBUTION USING TRPs 20 & 30 AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE SUPPORT 40 10 20 30 RED TM FIRES FOR LEAD SCOUT LEAD BLUE TM FIRES FOR CHALK 3 SCOUT PLT LDR REMOTE SHOOTERS REMOTE SHOOTERS SECURITY

ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES AH-64D LEAD LBA W/RADAR SCANS EA WING LBA W/RADAR PROVIDES SECURITY AND SCANS IN ATM WING LEAD REMOTE SHOOTERS REMOTE SHOOTERS

ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES AH-64D PF1 PF2 OWN PF4 PF5 PF6 LEAD LBA W/RADAR ASSIGNS PRIORITY FIRE ZONES AND TRANSMITS TO LBA W/O RADAR FOR RF MSL REMOTE ENGAGEMENTS WING LEAD REMOTE SHOOTERS OWN PF4 REMOTE SHOOTERS PF1 PF2 PF5 PF6

MOVEMENT TECHNIQUES TRAVELING TMs SEPARATE IN COMPANY FORMATION TMs TOGETHER IN COMPANY FORMATION

MOVEMENT TECHNIQUES TRAVELING OVERWATCH LOA LOA LT PLT MOVES FORWARD HVY PLT OVERWATCHS LT PLTs MOVE FORWARD

MOVEMENT TECHNIQUES BOUNDING OVERWATCH LOA LOA SUCCESSIVE LT PLT BOUNDS FORWARD HVY PLT OVERWATCHS LT PLTs BOUND

MOVEMENT TECHNIQUES BOUNDING OVERWATCH LOA LOA ALTERNATING HVY TM WAITS FOR LT TM TO CALL SET, THEN BOUNDS LT TM SETS, THEN OVERWATCHES HVY TMs BOUND