PATROLLING FUNDAMENTALS CS 1101 1 DEFINITION OF A

PATROLLING FUNDAMENTALS CS 1101 1

DEFINITION OF A PATROL w. A patrol is a detachment of ground, sea or air forces sent out for the purpose of gathering information or carrying out a destructive, harassing, mopping -up or security mission 2

THE PURPOSE OF PATROLLING w Gain current information about enemy/terrain w Destroy enemy installations w Capture enemy personnel w Perform security missions w Prevent the enemy from gaining information 3

TYPES OF PATROLS w CLASSIFIED INTO TWO GROUPS n MISSION n MEANS OF MOVEMENT 4

PATROL TYPES w Reconnaissance – Gather information about enemy, terrain, and/or resources n Relies on stealth rather than combat strength § Fight only when necessary to accomplish mission/defend themselves 5

RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS w Route – Obtain info on a specified route and associated terrain w Area – Obtain info on enemy, terrain, and/or resources in a given area (e. g. , a village) 6

RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS w Zone - Info concerning all routes, obstacles (to include chemical/ radiological contamination), terrain, and enemy forces within a zone defined by boundaries 7

PATROL TYPES w Combat – Fighting patrol; may engage enemy n Contact – Establishes and maintains contact with friendly or enemy force n Ambush – Surprise attack from a concealed position 8

COMBAT PATROLS CONT. § Raid – Executes a limited objective, surprise attack on an enemy force or installation and then conducts a planned withdrawal § Security - Prevents infiltration and or surprise attacks 9

PATROL CLASSIFIED BY MEANS OF MOVEMENT w Foot – Most common; limited range w Motorized – Greater range; limited by terrain w Waterborne –Used as entry for patrol w Helicopterborne – Where terrain or situation precludes use of vehicles 10

PATROL ORGANIZATION w Organization of a patrol is a two-step process. n General organization- entire patrol n Task organization- patrol units w The major subdivisions of patrols are called elements 11

GENERAL ORGANIZATION w Typical patrol elements: n Headquarters n Support element n Security element n Assault element 12

TASK ORGANIZATION w Patrols are further subdivided into teams w Each team performs essential, designated tasks w Patrol members must know how to perform tasks assigned to all members 13

INDIVIDUAL TASKS w Assistant Patrol Leader - Assists the PL; takes charge in absence of PL w Radio Operator –Maintains communication; reports incoming transmissions to PL w Navigator –Maintains direction of movement in accordance w/ patrol route 14

INDIVIDUAL TASKS w Pace Man – Assists PL in determining distance patrol has traveled w Flanks – Helps prevent a surprise attack to the patrol’s flanks 15

GATHERING INFORMATION w A commander often acts on information furnished by scouts and patrols. w While scouting or patrolling, information may be gathered through direct enemy observation or through the interpretation of signs and tracks. 16

DIRECT OBSERVATION w Most common method: Listening Posts and/or Observation Posts (LP/OPs) n Typically used in a defensive position w Can also be observed by any member of a patrol w All members must report their sightings 17

SIGNS AND TRACKS w Footprints and bivouac site can indicate number of enemy troops w Condition of bivouac site indicates morale, discipline and the type of withdrawal w Vehicle tracks indicate enemy equipment n Wheels vs. tracks 18

METHODS OF REPORTING INFORMATION w Distinguish between facts and opinions w Answer: n Who? n What? n Where? n When? 19

VERBAL MESSAGES w Radio is fastest for verbal reporting w Messenger used when radio is unavailable n Always repeat message out loud n Report information obtained along route n If captured, do not reveal information in the message 20

WRITTEN MESSAGES w Preferred to verbal messages w Should be brief, accurate, and clear w Should include overlay/sketch of situation observed or interpreted w May be posted as a formal report 21

PYROTECHNICS w Flares, colored smoke, and grenades may be used for reporting information w Meaning of signal must be established in advance of operation w Example: Green star cluster = enemy approach 22

SALUTE REPORT w Size/strength w Activity/Actions w Location/direction w Unit identification w Time and date w Equipment/weapons 23

SALUTE REPORT w Information about observer must include: n Location at time of observation n Intention of originator and/or observer • Remain in position? • Continue with mission? 24

SAMPLE SALUTE REPORT 25

SAMPLE SALUTE REPORT w S-Four enemy fighters w A-Vehicle-mounted patrol w L-GC 783209 moving east w U-Local Taliban militia w T-Observed 20020106 at 1545 w E-Traditional clothing, AK-47 s, red Toyota truck 26

10 MINUTE BREAK 27

CONTROL MEASURES w Used as a means of controlling the movement of a patrol and aid the patrol leader in keeping a patrol organized 28

CHECKPOINTS w Predetermined point used to control movement w Means of control between the parent unit and the patrol n Higher can follow progress of patrol without transmitting coordinates 29

RALLY POINTS w Easily identifiable point on the ground where units can reassemble. It should: n Provide cover and concealment n Be defensible for a short time n Be easily recognized and known to all patrol members 30

INITIAL RALLY POINTS w Within friendly lines where patrol can rally if it becomes separated before departing friendly area w May be the assembly area w Location must be coordinated with forward unit commander 31

EN ROUTE RALLY POINTS w Between the initial rally point and objective rally point (ORP) w Between ORP and re-entry rally point w Determined as patrol passes through a suitable area 32

OBJECTIVE RALLY POINT w Where patrol makes final preparations before approaching the objective and reassembles after completing mission w Must be suitable to perform activities accomplished prior to actions on objective 33

INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS AT CONTROL MEASURES w Checkpoints – Actions will vary depending on how unit uses CP’s n Patrol may pass CP and radio information to higher unit n Patrol may halt at CP to change directions, study the map, etc. 34

INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS AT CONTROL MEASURES CONT. w Rally Point Actions n Planned actions must provide for: • Continuation of patrol, if possible • Recognition signals for assembly • Min. members and max. waiting time • Instructions for members who are alone 35

INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS AT CONTROL MEASURES CONT. w Initial and En Route Rally Points n As personnel return to RP, senior Marine will take charge and follow instructions as outlined during patrol order 36

WARNING ORDER w Issued as soon as practical w Contains sufficient information to assist patrol members in preparation w Posted in unit area w Everyone is responsible for reading it w Uses modified 5 -paragraph order 37

WARNING ORDER CONT. w Situation: n Enemy and friendly situation w Mission: n Exactly as the PL received it n Everyone must remember and understand the patrol’s mission 38

WARNING ORDER CONT. w General instructions n General and special organization n Uniform and equip common to all n Weapons, ammo, and equipment n Chain of command n Time schedule for patrol’s guidance 39

WARNING ORDER CONT. w Specific instructions n To subordinate leaders: • Information about drawing gear • Personnel to accompany PL on reconnaissance (if necessary) • Guidance on special preparation 40

WARNING ORDER CONT. w Specific instructions n To special purpose teams or key individuals • Address req’s of designated personnel/teams • Remind individuals/team leaders to check the equipment 41

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PATROL ORDER w Follows a warning order w Detailed description of how patrol will accomplish mission w All patrol members should be present w Usually given over a terrain model w Begins with an orientation 43

SITUATION w Contains information on overall status of friendly and enemy forces n Enemy – SALUTE, DRAW-DG n Friendly – Higher, adjacent, and supporting units’ missions n Attachments and Detachments 44

MISSION w Clear and concise statement of what patrol is to accomplish w Expresses unit's primary task and purpose (5 W’s) w PL should also specify whether mission or time has priority 45

EXECUTION w Commander's Intent –End state w Concept of Operations –Conduct of patrol w Tasks –Missions of subordinate units w Coordinating Instructions –Tasks common to all. 46

ADMIN & LOGISTICS w Info for subordinate units to coordinate tasks n Beans n Bullets n Batteries n Band-Aids n Bad Guys 47

COMMAND & SIGNAL w Information relating to command communications (control) functions: n Radio frequencies and brevity codes n Challenge and password n Succession of command n PL and APL locations during patrol 48

INSPECTIONS w Initial: n Completeness and correctness of uniform and equipment n Rehearsals are conducted as realistically as possible w/all required gear and equipment 49

REHEARSALS w Familiarizes members with actions to take during patrol w Conducted in similar conditions w All actions should be rehearsed n Most critical phases have priority 50

FINAL INSPECTION w Final: n All equipment is still in working order n Discrepancies have been corrected n Unit is ready to embark on mission 51

FINAL INSPECTION CONT. w Uniform and equipment: n Camouflage n Identification tags and cards n Prescribed equipment is serviceable n Equipment has been “silenced” n No unnecessary equipment 52

FINAL INSPECTION CONT. w Each member knows and understands: n MISSION! n Planned routes n Individual’s role n Role’s of the other members n Signals and other pertinent details 53

NOISE AND LIGHT DISCIPLINE AND CAMOUFLAGE w Light is easily detected at night. w Noise will compromise your position. w During the day or night, the eye will pick up unusual shapes, color, and movement. 54

LIGHT DISCIPLINE w Expose nothing that reflects light w Cover/remove reflective items w Do not use light sources w No smoking allowed at anytime w PL will designate what kind of light to be used during halts 55

NOISE DISCIPLINE w Ensure all gear is properly secured w Silence gear to reduce unwanted noises w Top off canteens before step off w Stop frequently during patrol to listen w Do not speak unless necessary w Use hand arm signals 56

CAMOUFLAGE w Shiny areas – dark paint w Shadow areas – light paint w Field expedient means only as last resort 57

CONCEALMENT w Blend in with surroundings w Remain motionless when observing w If it goes with you-it comes back with you 58

10 MINUTE BREAK 59

EXITING FRIENDLY LINES (Max range of small arms) Antipersonnel minefield FEBA - Conduct security halt - Continue patrol Dispersed file formation FEBA 60

SECURITY w Scouts used as eyes and ears of the patrol n Front-Investigates route of advance n Flanks-One or two used for squad sized patrol n Rear-Maintains rear security 61

SECURITY HALTS w Used: To observe and listen for enemy activity. Also; n When reaching a danger area n After departing and before entering friendly areas n When sending a message, checking direction, or making a reconnaissance 62

SHORT SECURITY HALT w Take a knee or get in prone behind cover and concealment w All-round security is established w Patrol Leader ensures all members move out when patrol resumes movement 63

LONG SECURITY HALT w Used when patrol must halt for an extended period of time w Move to an area that provides security from enemy detection w Consists of passive and active security measures. 64

PASSIVE SECURITY MEASURES w Select a remote area w Avoid suspected enemy positions w Avoid ridgelines, topographic crests, valleys, lakes, streams, roads, and trails w Avoid open woods and clearings w Select areas offering dense vegetation 65

ACTIVE SECURITY MEASURES w Establish security w Establish communications with posted security w Plan for withdrawal in the event of discovery w Establish an alert plan 66

RE-ENTRY OF FRIENDLY LINES w Conducts a long security halt at RRP w Listens and looks for enemy presence w PL requests permission to reenter friendly lines w PL takes radioman and security team to link up w/guide(s) at contact point 67

RE-ENTRY OF FRIENDLY LINES CONT. w PL initiates far recognition signal and guide responds w PL approaches, guide initiates near recognition signal and PL responds w 2 Marines return to patrol w APL moves patrol to contact point 68

RE-ENTRY OF FRIENDLY LINES CONT. w Guide(s) lead patrol from contact point into passage point w At passage point, PL (w/security) counts members into passage lane w PL provides FUC w/ SALUTE report w PL takes patrol to S-2 for debrief 69

DEMONSTRATION 70

PRACTICAL APPLICATION 71

SUMMARY 72