FM 57-35 Airmobile Operations - Survival Books

WWW.SURVIVALEBOOKS.COMFigure 18. Patrolling.formance reconnaissance aircraft may be used to gain information of the enemy and terrain in the vicinity of the objective forplanning purposes. A decision must be made as to whether ornot the aircraft that fly the patrol are to remain in the objectivearea. It may be necessary to use the aircraft to move the patrolfrom point to point when the area to be reconnoitered is large andthe patrol is small. This use must be weighed with the problemof concealing aircraft movements within the objective area duringdaylight and darkness, and with the problem of refueling. Whenthe patrol is to be left in the objective area, plans are made forthe aircraft to return to a designated place at a designated timeto withdraw it. When the patrol or some elements of it are to bedelivered in the objective area at night or during other periods oflimited visibility, the pilot must be able to navigate, hover, andland without the aid of pathfinders. When deep reconnaissancepatrols are planned, secrecy should be insured by moving to theobjective area during periods of limited visibility, if suitable navigational aids are available.83. Retrogradea. Withdrawal From Action (fig. 19). Army aviation units canbe used to make a withdrawal from action partially or completelyan airmobile operation. This speeds up the operation and givesthe withdrawing units more time to organize their rearward positions. Covering forces can also be extricated more easily by anAGO 2294B65