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Long vs Short Duration OPs (non fixed site).

The difference between these two is defined by time and resources. We loosely define a short duration OP as anything under 12 hours or one that does not cross more than one light cycle. As with most doctrine or tactics there is some gray area of course. For the two man team hunkered down in the freezing rain 12 hours will damn sure seem like a long duration, but for our purposes we will keep it in the short duration category. A short duration may be the temporary OP established to monitor an Avenue of Approach (AoA) while the patrol is stationary, but it differs from posting security. An OP no matter how short has a specific set of requirements the leader must convey to the team members occupying the OP and is more deliberate than pushing security out during a short halt or LDA crossing (we discuss this process and the requirements for a short duration OP in detail in the upcoming CM-7 manual). A short duration OP is limited in scope and manning. They usually do not require many of the position improvements a long duration would.

From Current Army Doctrine:

A minimum of two scouts man each OP. They must be equipped to observe the area, report information, protect themselves, and call for and adjust fire (NA task for us). One scout observes the area while the other provides local security, records information, and sends reports to the section/squad leader or platoon leader. The two scouts should switch jobs every 20 to 30 minutes because the observer’s effectiveness decreases quickly after that time.

Essential equipment for the OP includes the following (again this is from the current doctrine, our list is quite a bit different):
􀁺 Map of the area with graphics.
􀁺 Compass.
􀁺 Communications equipment (wire and/or radio).
􀁺 Observation devices (binoculars, observation telescope, and/or NODs).
􀁺 SOI extract.
􀁺 Report formats.
􀁺 Weapons, such as personal and crew-served. This includes AT-4s and appropriate mines. 􀁺 CBRN equipment and individual protective equipment to achieve MOPP 4.

Reality

With the doctrinal list above as a start point what additional tools makes sense for us? The list above is not called out as a short duration OP in doctrine but we should assume it to be. Other than the obvious elimination of AT4 and mines what should we change for a long duration OP? The doctrinal expectation for long duration is up to 72 hours. I can assure you 72 hours in a dismounted OP is abject misery. We aren’t talking about an established OP supporting a fixed site (FOB, COP, neighborhood etc), this is a discussion about finding and establishing an OP from nothing but a piece of appropriate terrain or an abandoned urban structure. What are some of the items you need (and what can you carry) that will assist with the task for those 72 hot miserable insect infested hours? This list is not comprehensive…not even close. These are just some tools that can assist with the effectiveness of the scout in an OP.

Requirements

Back to the requirements discussion as usual, this week we will put them in more general terms. The requirements when manning an OP are you must be able to see, report, and remain undetected. There are of course numerous tasks associated with OPs, but that’s really it when we break it down Barney level. A few items that you may want to consider when it comes to supporting these three essentials is below. We are not including typical equipment and gear (NVGs, handheld thermals etc) that you will most likely have for any mission so we keep the discussion focused. A full detailed list and discussion will be in the upcoming CM-7, these are just a few things to consider adding to your SOPs and PCI lists. Remember these are split across your team occupying the OP so don’t think this is a one man carry. As always METT-TC applies so use what makes sense for you.

See

When it comes to glass for observation, we are talking about off weapon optics. Yes a high quality LPVO is an asset, but we need higher power glass to augment the typical LPVO. A Scout needs at a minimum a good (notice I didn’t say expensive) set of binoculars. Binos are much easier to use for scanning long term than a rifle optic, monocular, or a spotting scope. Waterproof, shock proof, and covered (honeycomb, 100mph tape slit expedient, or a piece of a sniper veil all work to cut the chance of glint form the glass). 8 or 10 power will do the trick, 12x and higher are a bit harder to use. Avoid the temptation of the compact 10x low field of view binos to save weight, it is a false trade.

A spotting scope is another asset that comes in handy on the long duration OP. A variable power spotting scope will help you reach out and see details of targets or activities spotted with your binos. We don’t scan using the spotting scope, it is used to bring out the details of specific items you observe during observation. Same as the binos, make sure they are waterproof, good quality, and covered to prevent detection or glint. A lightweight compact tripod is a must for the spotting scope, the utility of a high powered optic approaches zero without a good one.

Hand pruner and folding saw. It isn’t Yard Crashers so don’t break out the chainsaw just yet. But we need a couple of small tools that can help us selectively remove limbs from our line of sight. We don’t want to clear an obvious lane between us and the objective, but sometimes we must get a leafy limb out of the way to see the OBJ. Small bypass (not anvil) hand pruners will handle the job quickly and quietly. The folding saw is for removal of the girthy limbs that the hand pruner can’t. Keep in mind the imperative of remaining undetected so don’t go crazy with these and clear too much.

Report

We need the means to record and report the information we gather. A means of communication is a given (radio, wire etc), but we need things to make recording what we see more efficient and help us report accurately. One of the best means for capturing information is photo and video. Not only do these allow the Scouts on the OP to review and assess what they saw, video and photo can be handed off to analysts and examined in detail. Small point and shoot digital cameras to sophisticated long lens cameras should be considered. Long telephoto lenses are impractical for these conditions, the size and weight (not to mention cost) take them out of the running. There are a few camera options you may be unfamiliar with that we have found to be phenomenal tools for long range observation and information gathering. The super zoom digital camera is a tool worth considering. Protection (water and shock) is required but the juice is definitely worth the squeeze to take these along when it makes sense to do so. These cameras have a low-ish resolution sensor but most are capable of 4k video capture and have 85x optical zoom that is incredibly useful. Again, a tripod is a requirement, but you can rotate between the spotting scope and camera quickly with a proper mount setup. The ever present necessity of covering the glass to prevent glint can be worked with sniper veil, lens hood, and smart TTPs (eg don’t use it if the sun is angling in on the lens). A non ruggedized camera is a pain in the field an done more power draw to feed - but your S2 or intel dude will buy your lunch for the week if you bring back decent photos of the missile launcher that you saw from 2,000 meters away.

Remain Undetected

The discussion can cross over to surface OPs vs subsurface when we compare short and long term OPs. A quick setup poncho low to the ground will cut it for short term but for long term we may want to up our game and bring a specific overhead concealment / weather protection solution. The same principles apply, keep low to the ground and blend in. A solution that has worked well for our team is using a waterproof nylon tent footprint with a section of camo net attached. The footprint is a bit longer than a poncho and gives you more room lengthwise. Camo netting in the woods is a pain to deal with, this is no different. They attract sticks, gear, uniform buttons and anything else that passes by and can induce rage in the middle of the night if you get tangled up in one. But having a piece of a net on hand can help get you hidden much faster in a shallow scrape or spider hole OP. One thing we learned is some of the commercial netting can be shiny so you will still need to tone it down with spray paint before taking it to the field. We swap between a brown net and the green base as the season change, use what works for your environment.

Can you dig it? Man I hate carrying an entrenching tool or E Tool, they are heavy and take up an awkward space in a ruck. But you will need at least one in your OP team. A titanium trowel can get you by for normal times but if you are going subsurface or long term you need an E Tool. Get a real deal issue E Tool, don’t mess with the cheaper chicom versions. They aren’t incredibly expensive and having one can be a lifesaver.

Summary. This was a non-comprehensive list of tools you may need, for any recon task you will have your standard set of tools that will still be of assistance during long duration OPs (NV, wire cutters, range finder, radios, etc). As you go back and reference this newsletter keep it in context; you may be in an urban environment, in the desert, the grasslands…it doesn’t matter. The takeaway for this week is there are specialized tools that aren’t so specialized that can be used for long term surveillance. Be creative and adapt to the environment, the tools you use must fit the requirement. A recon mission could be you strolling down the street with a photographer’s vest using a long lens camera to get the information you need or an orange vest and construction hat.

New Manual coming this spring! Stand by for the title and subject for the upcoming CM-7!

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