1. ATTACK HELICOPTERS IN THE RECONNAISSANCE ROLE
LEADER TRAINING PROGRAM

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

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

4. AGENDA RECONNAISSANCE DEFINITIONS FUNDAMENTALS OF RECONNAISSANCE
MISSIONS
PLANNING
EXECUTION
CONCLUSION

5. RECONNAISSANCE DEFINITIONS
“RECONNAISSANCE IS A DIRECTED EFFORT TO COLLECT
INFORMATION ABOUT ENEMY AND THE FRIENDLY COMMANDER’S AREA OF OPERATIONS.” FM
“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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 /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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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 / 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. MISSIONS
RECONNAISSANCE
ZONE
AREA
ROUTE
RECON IN FORCE

16. PLANNING

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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)

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

24. 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

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

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

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

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

29. 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

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

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

32. RECONNAISSANCE METHODS
STEALTH
AGGRESSIVE RECON

33. EXECUTION

34. 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

35. ZONE RECONNAISSANCE
LOA
LOA
NAI
NAI PL PL
NAI PL PL LD LD

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

37. 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

38. 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

39. ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE RP
LOA
LOA PL PL PL PL SP LD LD

40. RECON IN FORCE
HA/FAA

41. MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
EA SMASH

42. 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

43. ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES50 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

44. 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

45. 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

46. 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

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

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

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

50. 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