1963 US Army Vietnam War Armor Operations ... - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMreporting of enemy activity or cessation of ac-tivity, must be stressed at all echelons. Report-ing is through command channels unless speci-can pinpoint targets geographically. Locationof the radar site may be accomplished by survey,resection, or intersection.b. If the set is properly oriented and coordi- fied otherwise.nation with fire support elements is effected,targets detected by radar can be taken under 13. Alternate and Supplementary Positionsfire using preplanned concentrations. Orienta- Alternate and supplementary positions aretion and coordination of surveillance areas selected and prepared as time permits. Whenshould be accomplished during daylight hours. the mission cannot be accomplished from theIn some instances it may be more desirable to primary position, the senior radar operatormove radars into previously prepared positions may displace the equipment to an alternateunder cover of darkness or poor visibility. position. Before moving to an alternate position,the section leader or unit commander is11. Operation of Equipment notified. Moving to supplementary positions isa. Each radar team/squad is assigned spe- accomplished only on order of the sectioncific surveillance missions. In assigning mis- leader or unit commander.sions, consideration is given to terrain, enemycapabilities, equipment capabilities, and desireddegree of surveillance overlap. Sector surveil- There will be many opportunities for the emlanceassignments, type of surveillance to be ployment of radar in offensive action. Comconducted(search or monitor), how and when manders should be alert to these situations andinformation is to be reported, and frequency of capitalize on the capabilities of the groundcoverage must be included in instructions to radar. Highly mobile, fast-moving operationsthe radar team/squad.may preclude the continuous and effective useb. If enemy activity is detected in an area of radar.not included in the surveillance plan, new missionsmay be prescribed redirecting the efforts 15. Advance to Contactof the radars to meet changes in the tactical During the advance to contact, radar may besituation. The radar should be operated at ir- employed with reconnaissance and security eleregularintervals to provide some security from ments on an exposed flank or to provide addidetectionand subsequent enemy jamming. tional observation and security. To providecontinuous flank surveillance, it may become12. Reporting Information necessary to employ teams in pairs and moveGround radar surveillance reporting proce- them by bounds.dures should be incorporated in the unit SOP.Depending upon the specific requirements, posi- 16. Penetrationtive and negative information obtained by the a. Radar may be employed profitably in aradar will be reported by the operator immedi- penetration. It may locate enemy defenses beatelyor at prescribed intervals. The operator fore the attack to the extent that the attackingwill transmit the information in spot report commander may avoid enemy strengths andformat by using range and azimuth, coordi- capitalize on enemy defensive weaknesses disnates,or distance from a known reference covered by radar and other surveillance means.point of the activity located. For security rea- b. Once contact has been established, radarsons, the use of coordinates is preferred. He may be used to provide surveillance forward ofwill also state what he determines the target to the line of contact or on an exposed flank. Itbe, for example, dismounted personnel, or may be positioned to provide surveillance overwheel or tracked vehicles. The specific report- critical areas or on avenues of approach. Radaring details will be prescribed by the commander teams may locate enemy activity to facilitatewhen assigning surveillance missions to the use of preparatory fires and may survey enemyradar team. The requirement for immediate positions to establish whether there is any rein-352 AGO 9139A