of the route. A friendly populace can provide a great deal of data that is
only otherwise attainable with great difficulty. This is particularly true
of seasonal weather data. They may also know of alternate routes that may
not be depicted on maps.
A hostile population makes your task more
difficult. They may provide assistance to enemy forces, sometimes in very
indirect ways. For example, they may alter or destroy the bridge data signs
from which you gain a great deal of your information.
They may provide
other misleading information and find various ways to harass you.
Regardless of the civil attitude, care must be taken in using the data
obtained from civilian sources.
You must also be alert to the flow of
refugees.
Refugees can greatly impede traffic flow.
They also provide
excellent cover for the infiltration of enemy agents and soldiers. They can
have an adverse effect on the conduct of your patrol as well.
The patrol leader should examine the route on the most
current map available.
Overlays from previous recons should also be
examined. In essence, a map recon is conducted. First plot the route on
the map. You should then start at the same point each time and examine the
map for one category of information at a time. For example, the first time
you might look for all the critical points. Then start over and look for
information about road surfaces.
Once all the information has been
collected, it must be assembled. The patrol leader should not examine the
maps alone, but should have other patrol members look at the map as well.
Another step is to gather all the intelligence reports
about enemy activity along the route.
Knowledge of the enemy situation
allows the patrol leader to anticipate where and what kind of contact might
be expected. It also allows him to determine which areas of the route may
need closer examination as possible sites of future problems, such as
ambushes.
Knowledge of the enemy situation also makes the PIR more
understandable, so that the patrol can key on essential information.
c.
Planning.
(1) Team Selection.
Based on your analysis of the order and
the information gathered, you may now complete your plan. A key element is
the selection of personnel.
Those selected should be familiar with recon
methods and techniques.
When possible, a person conversant in the local
language may be helpful.
Consideration should also be given to having a
host nation police officer accompany the patrol.
If not already stated in the order, you will determine the
number of teams that will be required. Normally, one to three mobile teams
are used. There are three elements to a recon patrol. They are control,
recon, and security. You may have to combine the recon and control element,
depending on the number of teams/personnel available. For example, in a one
team patrol, the team leader provides control, maintains communications, and
records data. The second member concentrates on operating the vehicle. The
third member provides security.
In a two team patrol, the lead team is
usually the recon element.
The trail team provides the security.
When
there are three teams,
MP1028
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