FM 17-37 Air Cavalry Squadron - Survival Books

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FM 17-37
(4) Zone, area, or route to be reconnoitered. All members of the air cavalry troop must be in-
(5) When, where, and how information is to doctrinated with the need for rapid and accurate
be reported.
reporting of all positive or negative information
gathered. Use of a standard report format facili-
(6) Time of departure. tates reporting of information. The troop has ac-
(7) Control measures. complished its mission when it has reported the
(8) Rules of engagement. results of its reconnaissance to higher headquarters.
This is done with spot reports submitted
(9) Action to be taken when the mission is during the mission and a detailed mission report
completed. submitted after mission debriefing (fig 4-1).
b. When a reconnaissance mission is assigned to b. Information from the aero scout teams/secthe
troop, the commander makes a reconnaissance, tions is reported without delay to higher headdevelops
his plan, and issues necessary orders to quarters. The aero scout teams will report directly
the platoon leaders. The platoon leaders then prepare
and issue orders to elements of their plabo
the troop or the supported unit. Collected infor-
mation, regardless of its apparent value, is fortoons.
After the mission has started, ons. additional After the mission has warded started, to higher headquarters. This information
instructions are normally disseminated by radio. may be of extreme importance to the higher headquarters
4-4. Transmitting Information when considered in conjunction with in-
formation received from other sources. Negative
a. Rapid transmission of information is essen- information is often as important as positive intial
to the success of any reconnaissance mission. formation.
Section II. EMPLOYMENT
4-5. Employment Concepts for Reconnaissance c. Aero scout elements reconnoiter most effec-
Operations
tively in open or sparsely covered areas. They perform
the bulk of reeconnaissance and will frea.
The air cavalry-troop must make maximum
use of its communications, firepower, and mobility
quently
quently
make
make a
detailed
detailed
aerial
aerial
reconnaissance
reconnaissance
of
of
when conducting reconnaissance operations In small areas or specific points. They use speed, in-
,hen conducting reconnaissance operatio, nsc. tion filtration, observation, and reconnaissance by fire
the conduct of reconnaissance missions, collection
of information is the primary task
to obtain
and must
information. The aero scout
not
platoon per-
be jeopardized be jeopardized
by unnecessary combat actions. In forms a reconnaissance mission by sections or
teams mutually supporting
many situations, the troop may be required
one another. When
to
fight to obtain the desired information. Whenever
enemy
enemy
contact
cont
is
is
imminent
imminent or
or has
has
been
been
made,
made,
possible,
the aero scout platoon may be complemented
the troop should avoid combat
by
bypass enemy
possible, should the avoid troop combat
resistance and continue with
the aero weapons platoon to form mixed sections
the
reconnaissance mission. When an enemy force is
or teams, to provide additional firepower, and to
develop the situation. Upon receipt of a reconnaisbypassed,
the troop commander must report this
sance mission, the aero scout platoon leader may
fact and the complete enemy situation to the com- intily
intially
exert
exert a
maximum
maximum
effort
effort
to
to
gain
gain a clear
lear
mander directing the reconnaissance operation. picture of the situation and then on subseqcent
When the troop is directed to maintain contact flights use only one half of his elements in order to
with the bypassed force, an aero scout element is sustain continuous operations.
usually given this mission.
d. The aero rifle elements are used to reconnoib.
The troop commander employs only those ele- ter specific locations that cannot be effectively rements--normally
the aero scouts, with zero connoitered from the air. Normally, they air
weapons for escort as necessary-required for assult supported by aero weapons elements on or
coverage of assigned routes, areas, or zones. The near the area to be reconnoitered and perform
remaining elements remain in the troop laager detailed ground reconnaissance of the area. Only
area to provide for relief of committe elements, to required elements are used to accomplish the misprovide
a reaction capability, or for employment sion. The method of air assulting the platoon into
if greater reconnaissance is required.
a landing zone varies and depends on the factors
4-2 AGO 20026A