FM 17-37 Air Cavalry Squadron - Survival Books

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FM 17-37
c. Contact with the enemy is promptly reported. tions should be far enough from the protected
The troop develops the situation to determine the force to provide sufficient terrain for the conduct
size, strength, and disposition of the enemy of a delaying action toward the protected force.
forces, and within its capabilities, the troop takes (2) The air cavalry troop does not require
necessary action to defeat the enemy or force his road space for the advance of its combat elements.
withdrawal. The combined aerial firepower of the Troop assembly positions are selected to enable
aero weapons and aero scout platoons is used of- the troop to orient its movement on the movement
fensively to neutralize the enemy force. The aero of the protected force. The troop commander derifle
platoon may air assult limited objectives to velops a scheme of maneuver that enables the
engage the enemy force, but must avoid decisive troop to seize and hold blocking positions.
engagement. When the enemy force is of such a
c. During the conduct of a flank guard operasize
and disposition that the troop cannot
size and disposition
defeat
defeat that the tion, troop the cannot aero scout platoon is employed to conduct
it, the situation is reported to the advance guard
reconnaissance and surveillance by establishing
commander. The troop may be directed to bypass an air screen beyond the line of blocking positions,
an air screen beyond the line of blocking positions,
to the front of the flank guard along the route of
contact
contact
until
until
ground
ground
elements
elements
arrive.
arrive.
When
When advance, and between the flank guard and the
ground elements arrive, the troop is employed to
enemy threat. The platoon maintains contact with
provide security to the flanks and rear during the
the rear of the lead elements (TF) of the proattack.
teeted force. The aero rifle platoon may establish
d. When the advance to contact is prolonged,
e t ed, is pro dismounted OP's in front of blocking positions or,
logistical support for the troop is provided by
mobile logistical s elements ftroom higher head- when necessary, occupy a blocking position. When
mobilquarters. logisticalelementsfromhigherhethe aero rifle platoon is dismounted, either manning
observation posts or occupying a blocking
5-4. Flank Guard position, the platoon aircraft must be in a position
to rapidly pick up the elements and relocate them
a. The air cavalry troop normally performs as the flank guard advances. The platoon can most
flank guard missions as part of its parent effectively establish four observation posts. This
squadron or supported unit. Without reinforce- provides good radio communication and sufficient
ment, e.g., ground cavalry of the squadron, the troops for patrolling and manning OPs'. When the
troop can effectively occupy only one blocking po- flank guard is overextendtd, the platoon may essition,
as the only ground-holding force available tablish a maximum of eight OP's. When eight
is the aero rifle platoon. The troop may perform a OP's are manned, there are insufficient troops for
screening mission when the squadron is operating patrolling and the platoon must be supplemented
on a board front as a flank guard (fig 5-2).
with binoculars and radios.
b. When the troop is to perform a flank guard
mission as an independent force, the troop com- aerial fire a weapons ero p latoon provides direct
mander plans the mission in the following se- aerial fire support for the other elements of the
quence: ~~~~~~~quence: ~troop,
or when necessary, complements the aero
(1) Initially, he makes a map reconnaissance scout reconnaissance effort by forming mixed plaof
the area of operation and selects the most likely The troop's exceptional mobility permits rapid asavenues
of enemy approach. He selects a series of sembly of its elements at any location along the
blocking positions on the flank that generally par- flank of the protected force to counter an enemy
allel the axis of advance of the protected force. threat.
The blocking position should be at sufficient distance
from the flanks of the protected force to 5-5. Rear Guard
permit timely warning of enemy approach and to
provide the protected force with sufficient time a. The rear guard follows the protected force at
and maneuver space to react to an enemy threat. a distance prescribed by the main force com-
The blocking positions should be located in such a mander and usually moves along the same axis as
manner as to deny the enemy ground observation the main force. It is prepared to intercept and
and direct fire on the protected force. Blocking engage enemy forces that attempt to attack the
positions should be within supporting range of the rear of the protected force. When attacked by a
artillery of the protected force. If the flank guard superior enemy force, the rear guard employs a
force encounters a superior enemy force, the posi- delay to accomplish its mission (fig 5-3).
5_4 AGO 20025A