Your Pro Citizen Newsletter 67: Area Reconnaissance, NEW RELEASE FR-2 Recon Leader's Guide

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Area Recon

An Area Recon is a form of reconnaissance that focuses on obtaining detailed information about the terrain, enemy or civilian activity within a prescribed area. An area may include a town, a ridgeline, section of woods, or any other critical feature (all of these are translated to NAIs by the planner). The area may only consist of a single structure such as a bridge or a building or it may be a larger well-defined area like a drive-in movie theater or a power station. The patrol leader would specify an area reconnaissance when the physical space/area he wants to collect on is somewhat defined and he knows where they want to focus the recon effort.

In an area reconnaissance, the patrol uses vantage points or observation posts around the objective to observe it and surrounding area. There are two ways of doing this, we can maneuver elements through the area or establish observation posts inside or external to the area of interest.

Actions at the objective for an area reconnaissance begin with the patrol in the ORP, and end with a dissemination of information after a linkup of the patrol’s subordinate units. The critical actions include:

Actions from the ORP.

Execute the observation plan.

Link back up and continue the mission.

The patrol occupies the ORP and conducts associated priorities of work. While the patrol establishes security and prepares for the mission, the patrol leader and selected personnel conduct a leader’s recon. During any of the missions discussed in this section use of the 5 Point Contingency Plan (discussed in CM-1, GOTWA) is critical. There will be no time or ability to communicate contingencies if things go wrong while the teams are dispersed on mission.

The leader must accomplish three things during this reconnaissance: pinpoint the objective and establish surveillance, identify a release point and follow-on linkup point (if required), and confirm the observation plan.

Observation Plan for an Area Reconnaissance

Upon returning from the leader’s recon, the patrol leader disseminates information and FRAGOs as required. Once ready, the patrol departs. Once security is in position, the reconnaissance element moves along the specified routes to the observation posts and vantage points in accordance with the observation plan.

Long-range observation or surveillance is the observation of an objective from an OP. It must be far enough from the objective to be outside enemy small-arms range and its local security measures. This method is used whenever METT-TC permits the required information to be gathered from a distance. Long-range observation is the most desirable method for executing an area reconnaissance since the patrol does not come in close enough to be detected. When information cannot be gathered from one OP, successive OPs may be used. This is accomplished by squad-size reconnaissance patrols. The OPs must use available cover and concealment and have a good view of the objective.

Short-range observation or surveillance (close reconnaissance) is the act of watching an objective from a place that is within the range of enemy local security measures and small-arms fire. When information needed cannot be obtained by observing from a distance, the patrol moves closer to the objective. This method can be executed by the team or by a squad. The routes and area to be reconnoitered must be clearly defined and the teams have to have their stuff together. Saying this is a high risk approach is an understatement.

The close reconnaissance team normally consists of one to two observers and two security scouts. The security should be close enough to provide protection to the observer, but far enough away so his position is not compromised. When moving in areas close to the enemy position, only one man should move at a time. Bounds should be short; not that you are going to be using a handgun for this but think in terms of pistol range for the distances we are describing.

Once in position, the patrol observes and listens to acquire the needed information. If the reconnaissance element cannot acquire the information needed from its initial position, it backs off (retraces their initial route) and repeats the process in what resembles a cloverleaf from above. The team may use this “cloverleaf method” to get different vantage points or line of sight angles on the objective. This method of reconnaissance can be extremely risky, the closer the element is the greater the risk of being detected. Using binos, thermals, and NV systems to keep as much distance as possible between scouts and the objective while still being able to gather the required info is the sweet spot for us, we want to be doing long-range observation. You don’t have to stand on an objective to recon it, your scouts should be experienced and know that more distance is better but sometimes you must get closer.

Summary. This is just an overview of the Area Recon process; see the CM-2 Recon Manual for full details. Team breakdown, roles, actions at the ORP once teams return from the OPs is a detailed discussion we left out of a newsletter format. What I want you to take away from today’s is OP work is akin to defensive (or offensive in military communities) shooting. Most times you do not need to move closer to the target to be effective, don’t get sucked in so close you sacrifice concealment and the associated security. The flip side is observing an NAI from too far away will not allow you to answer the PIR you were sent to look for (more on this later). OP positioning and distances during Area Recon is always a question of seeing (and hearing) “good enough.”

New release this Thursday! (17 April)

Meet the FR-2, the Recon Leader’s Guide. No notebook component on this one, the FR-2 is all hardcore face-shooting man stuff. Ok for real it is a tailored handbook for the recon / scout leader. This is a partner to the other recon related manuals in the Professional Citizen series, it is NOT a standalone manual. This is a ready reference that is laid out in the order of a mission from TLPs through rehearsals, mission types, and even recovery (cleaning up your stuff and resetting for the next mission). Checklists, quick reference lists, TTPs (Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures) the recon leader needs. We made this one a bit smaller than the standard CM manuals so it will easily fit in your field uniform cargo pocket. Heavy paper, black and white, spiral bound so you can get where you need quickly, and most importantly it is packed with reconnaissance info curated for “regular” dudes in the readiness community. Going live on TPC Project this Thursday!

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