Dismounted Reconnaissance Troop - Army Electronic Publications ...

Other Tactical Operations
6-34. Coordination with friendly elements through which the unit will pass when executing infiltration
tactics must be accomplished. This includes integration of communications, fires, and sustainment
activities. In addition, the squadron must coordinate the activities of adjacent friendly units to ensure that
they do not compromise the troop and its elements as they conduct the infiltration. Coordination should
include SUAS support, aerial or satellite imagery, and HUMINT briefings when possible.
6-35. The size of the infiltrating elements depends on several factors:
The mission.
Time available.
Cover and concealment.
The target acquisition capabilities of both friendly and threat forces.
Available communications assets.
Navigation capabilities and limitations.
6-36. If the troop is tasked to gather information over a wide area, platoons may employ several sections or
small teams to cover the complete AO. In most situations, smaller elements are more suitable to take
advantage of available cover and concealment. Another consideration is that some elements may not use
infiltration. If moving into an AO in echelon, the initial echelons may infiltrate to a specific location and
provide surveillance for follow-on echelons that are moving with a more conventional movement
technique. A reconnaissance patrol is typically composed of four scouts. It becomes more difficult for
patrols to hide as patrol size increases.
EXECUTION
6-37. The troop commander assigns the platoons an infiltration lane or zone, requiring the PL to gather the
necessary information and intelligence to prepare for the mission. The PL decides whether to move the
entire platoon along a single lane or to assign separate lanes for each section or vehicle.
6-38. Each alternative presents distinct advantages and disadvantages. Moving the entire platoon on a
single lane makes navigation and movement easier to control, but can also increase the chance of the
platoon being detected by threat forces. Moving on multiple lanes may require development of additional
control measures, make C2 more difficult, and can create navigation problems. On the other hand, it can
reduce the chances of detection by the threat. (For more specific information on platoon infiltration lanes,
see FM 3-20.98.)
COMMUNICATIONS
6-39. In general, infiltrating elements should maintain radio listening silence except to send critical
information that the commander has directed to be reported immediately or to report contact with threat
forces. Message formats and communications windows should be established IAW squadron and troop
TACSOP. When operating out of range of normal radio communications, an infiltrating element that must
transmit required information should move to high ground or set up a long-range expedient antenna. Units
may utilize HF and or TACSAT for communications during long-range operations, if equipped.
FIRE SUPPORT
6-40. Infiltration plans should always include employment of indirect fires, although these are used only in
limited circumstances. Planning includes restricted fire areas, NFAs, and phase lines coordinated through
the troop FIST and the squadron FS element. The most common use is when the infiltrating unit makes
threat contact. The DRT commander or PL may employ indirect fires in other areas to divert attention away
from the infiltration lanes. Indirect fires can also be useful in degrading the threat’s acquisition and
observation capabilities by forcing them to seek cover. The use of obscurant munitions (such as smoke) can
have positive and negative effects. Scouts can employ smoke to screen their movements through terrain;
however, this draws the attention of observers. Obscuration may also be used to break contact from the
enemy during an infiltration. In some cases, the smoke screen may hinder the unit’s ability to see enemy
movements.
16 November 2010 ATTP 3-20.97 6-7