ATTACK HELICOPTERS

1

• ATTACK HELICOPTERS
• IN THE
• RECONNAISSANCE ROLE

LEADER TRAINING PROGRAM
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PURPOSE

• PROVIDE A BASIS FOR DISCUSSION TO ADDRESS
  TTPs FOR EMPLOYMENT OF ATTACK HELICOPTERS IN THE
  RECONNAISSANCE ROLE

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BLUF

• SUCCESSFUL RECONNAISSANCE IS THE PRECURSOR
  TO ALL SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS. FM 100-5

4
AGENDA

• RECONNAISSANCE DEFINITIONS
• FUNDAMENTALS OF RECONNAISSANCE
• MISSIONS
• PLANNING
• EXECUTION
• CONCLUSION

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RECONNAISSANCE DEFINITIONS
RECONNAISSANCE IS A DIRECTED EFFORT TO
COLLECT INFORMATION ABOUT ENEMY AND THE FRIENDLY
COMMANDERS AREA OF OPERATIONS. FM 100-40
RECONNAISSANCE IS A MISSION UNDERTAKEN TO OBTAIN
INFORMATION BY VISUAL OBSERVATION, OR OTHER
DETECTION METHODS, ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES AND
RESOURCES OF AN ENEMY, OR ABOUT THE METEOROLOGIC,
HYDROGRAPHIC, OR GEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A
PARTICULAR AREA. FM 17-95
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF RECONNAISSANCE IS TO GAIN
INFORMATION OF TACTICAL IMPORTANCE ABOUT THE
ENEMY, TERRAIN, AND WEATHER. FM 1-114
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FUNDAMENTALS OF RECONNAISSANCEMORRGD

• CONTINUOUS AND MAXIMUM RECONNAISSANCE FORCES
  FORWARD
• ORIENT ON THE RECONNAISSANCE OBJECTIVE
• REPORT INFORMATION RAPIDLY AND ACCURATELY
• RETAIN FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT
• GAIN AND MAINTAIN ENEMY CONTACT
• DEVELOP THE SITUATION RAPIDLY

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GAIN AND MAINTAIN ENEMY CONTACT

• PARAMOUNT TASK FOR RECONNAISSANCE UNITS
• MUST DETERMINE SIZE, COMPOSITION, STRENGTH, AND
  INTENTIONS OF ENEMY FORCES
• SURVEILLANCE COMBINED WITH STEALTH IS THE
  PRIMARY TECHNIQUE, COUPLED WITH TARGET HANDOVERS
  TO ASSETS IN DEPTH
• FIRE AND MOVEMENT IS UTILIZED IAW METT-T
• ONCE GAINED, CONTACT IS NOT BROKEN

IF YOU DONT HOLD THE ENEMY BY THE NOSE, YOU
CANT KICK HIM IN THE ASS. PATTON
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ORIENT ON THE RECONNAISSANCE OBJECTIVE

• COMMANDERS FOCUS THEIR RECON EFFORTS THROUGH
  RECON OBJECTIVES
• CLEAR TASK AND PURPOSE IS DELINEATED TO THE
  SCOUTS
• RECONNAISSANCE OBJECTIVES MAY BE TERRAIN OR
  ENEMY ORIENTED
• ASSIGNED WITH THE LOOKERS / SHOOTERS
  CAPABILITIES AND LIMITATIONS IN MIND
• IPB AND PIRs HELP IDENTIFY THE COMMANDERS RECON
  OBJECTIVES

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ORIENT ON THE RECONNAISSANCE OBJECTIVE
(CONTD)

• COMMANDERS MUST REMAIN FOCUSED ON THE RECON
  OBJECTIVE REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS ENCOUNTERED
  DURING THE MISSION.
• FM 100-40/17-95/1-114

THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THE CONDITIONS OF THE
MOUNTAINS AND FORESTS, HAZARDOUS DEFILES, MARSHES
AND SWAMPS, CANNOT CONDUCT THE MARCH OF AN ARMY.
SUN TZU
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RETAIN FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

• RECONNAISSANCE ASSETS MUST BE ABLE TO MANEUVER
  ON THE BATTLEFIELD
• SCOUTS MUST NOT BECOME DECISIVELY ENGAGED
• INITIATIVE, TERRAIN, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENEMY
  FACILITATES MANEUVER
• PRIMARY MEANS OF RECONNAISSANCE IS BY STEALTH

COMMANDERS MANEUVER THEIR FORCES TO CREATE THE
CONDITIONS FOR TACTICAL AND OPERATIONAL SUCCESS.
FM 100-5
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REPORT INFORMATION RAPIDLY AND ACCURATELY

• RECONNAISSANCE INFORMATION LOSES VALUE AS TIME
  PASSES
• COMMANDERS REQUIRE INFORMATION QUICKLY TO MAKE
  DECISIONS
• SCOUTS MUST REPORT EXACTLY WHAT THEY SEE
• NEGATIVE SPOT REPORTS OR SEEMINGLY UNIMPORTANT
  INFORMATION MAY BE CRITICAL TO THE FIGHT

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REPORT INFORMATION RAPIDLY AND ACCURATELY
(CONTD)

• IPB AND CCIR DELINEATE TO THE SCOUTS WHAT THE
  RECONNAISSANCE FOCUS IS FOR REPORTING
• BATTLE AND TARGET HANDOVERS ARE CRITICAL FOR
  INFORMATION FLOW AND SUSTAINMENT OF EFFORT FM
  100-40 / 17-95

TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT YOU SEE AND WHAT YOU
DO. THERES AN ARMY DEPENDING ON US FOR CORRECT
INFORMATION. STANDING ORDER, ROGERS RANGERS
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DEVELOP THE SITUATION RAPIDLY

• QUICK SITUATION DEVELOPMENT FACILITATES
  RECONNAISSANCE
• RECON ASSETS MUST DEPLOY IMMEDIATELY UPON
  CONTACT
• MUST AGGRESSIVELY SCOUT FOR GAPS, WEAKNESS, AND
  FLANKS OF ENEMY
• RECONNAISSANCE BY FIRE MAY BE NECESSARY TO GAIN
  REQUIRED INFORMATION
• MUST HAVE BATTLE DRILLS AND SOPs THAT ADDRESS
  ACTIONS ON CONTACT
• FIRE AND MANEUVER

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AIRCRAFT CAPABILITIES
WEAPONS
TGT REC
TGT ACQ
SUPPRESSION
POINT TGT
FLIR
DTV
FLIR
DTV
ENDURANCE
AIRCRAFT
30MM 2.75 RKT
HELLFIRE
2 HR 10 MIN
6.5 KM
3.5 KM
6.0 KM
8.0 KM
AH-64A
(127X)
(39.8X)
W/ 1 AUX TANK
3 HR 40 MIN
UHF/VHF/ SINCGARS
72 MIN VIDEO RECORD
8MM VIDEO RECORD
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MISSIONS
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PLANNING
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BATTALION PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

• CDRS INTENT
• CRITICAL TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED
• TASK ORGANIZATION
• START POINT, RELEASE POINT, AND DESIGNATION OF
  THE OBJECTIVE MISSION
• CONSTRAINTS/RESTRICTIONS
• CRITICAL POINTS IDENTIFIED AS CHECKPOINTS
• NAIs
• IPB
• FARP EMPLOYMENT

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BATTALION PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
(CONTD)

• GROUND COMMANDERS SCHEME OF MANEUVER
• LOCATION OF FRIENDLIES
• FIRE (FA, MORTARS, CAS)
• CCIRs
• FOLLOW-ON MISSION
• PASSAGE OF LINES / BHO

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RS PLANNING

• NORMALLY PLANNED BY THE S2 AND COORDINATED WITH
  THE S3 TO CONFIRM OR DENY THE S2s TEMPLATING
• TREND RS PLANNING NOT FOCUSED
• TREND REVERSAL - APPOINT CHIEF OF
  RECONNAISSANCE WHO IS NOT THE S2 OR S3, BUT HAS
  TASKING AUTHORITY
• RECOMMEND A/S3 AS CHIEF OF RECON
• PLANNING CELL INCLUDES A/S2, A/FSO, A/S4
• CHIEF OF RECON RESPONSIBLE FOR
  PLAN/PREPARATION/EXECUTION OF RECON EFFORT

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RS PLANNING
(CONTD)

• INTELLIGENCE REQUIREMENTS ARE PRIORITIZED FOR
  RS MISSIONS AND REFINED AS SPECIFIC INSTRUCTION
  ORDERS
• ECONOMY OF EFFORT IS NECESSARY WHEN REQUIREMENTS
  OUTWEIGH ASSETS
• S2 PLANS SECONDARY REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ASSETS

COMMANDERS MUST FOCUS INTELLIGENCE. THEY MUST
DECIDE WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW FOR THE OPERATION
TO SUCCEED. THIS INCLUDES ESTABLISHING CLEAR
PRIORITIES FOR INTELLIGENCE AND TARGETS. MY GOAL
WAS TO LIMIT MY QUESTIONS TO SIX. GENERAL
FREDRICK FRANKS JR.
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PLANNING TREND REVERSAL
AIR / GROUND INTEGRATION

• C2 RELATIONSHIP OF AIR / GROUND TROOPS...
  NORMALLY SQDNs HAVE CONTROL. AIR / GROUND TEAMS
  MAY BE FORMED AS NECESSARY DURING THE MISSION
• AIR TROOP ROTATION PLAN AND MISSIONS
• GROUND TROOP MISSIONS
• CRITICAL TASKS TO BE PERFORMED BY EACH AIR AND
  GROUND ELEMENT

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PLANNING TREND REVERSAL
FIRE SUPPORT PLANNING

• OBSERVER PLAN
• COMMUNICATIONS PLAN FROM OBSERVER TO FSO
• FIRE SUPPORT COORDINATION MEASURES
• TARGETING PROCESS
• TASK AND PURPOSE OF EACH TARGET
  (CDRS CONCEPT / INTENT FOR FIRES)

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PLANNING TREND REVERSAL
COMMANDERS GUIDANCE / INTENT

• CRITICAL TASKS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED
• ENGAGE / BYPASS CRITERIA
• TASK AND PURPOSE OF RECONNAISSANCE FORCE /
  SECURITY FORCE

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CONTROL MEASURES

• LATERAL BOUNDARIES
• START POINT (SP)
• CONTACT POINTS (CP)
• COORDINATION POINTS
• CHECK POINTS
• PASSAGE POINTS (PP)
• LINE-OF-DEPARTURE (LD)
• BATTLE HANDOVER LINE
• AIR CORRIDOR
• PHASE LINES (PL)
• TRPs
• TIRS
• LIMIT-OF-ADVANCE (LOA)
• NAIs

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CONTROL MEASURES
PL PETE (LOA)
PL PETE (LOA)
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PL MIKE
B
C
PL MIKE
A
B
SP
LD/BHL
LD/BHL
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BATTALION EMPLOYMENTTECHNIQUES
LOA
LOA
RECON FORCE
LD
LD
HA/FAA
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BATTALION EMPLOYMENTTECHNIQUES
LOA
LOA
RECON FORCES
A
B
LD
LD
HA/FAA
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BATTALION EMPLOYMENTTECHNIQUES
LOA
LOA
A
B
B
C
RECON FORCES
LD
LD
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COMPANY PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

• BATTALION TASK ORGANIZATION
• OPTICS AND WEAPONS RANGES OF AIRCRAFT
• WEAPONS LOAD
• STATION TIME VS WEAPONS LOAD
• RELIEF / BHO PLAN
• ALL CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE BATTALION

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WEAPONS LOAD

• WEAPONS SHOULD BE CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE
  SUPPRESSIVE FIRES TO ALLOW FREEDOM TO MANEUVER
  AND INCREASED STATION TIME

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ACTIONS ON CONTACT

• DEPLOY / REPORT
• DEVELOP THE SITUATION
• CHOOSE COA
• RECOMMEND COA

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RECONNAISSANCE METHODS

• STEALTH
• AGGRESSIVE RECON

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EXECUTION
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ZONE \ AREA RECONNAISSANCE
CRITICAL TASKS

• RECONNOITER ALL TERRAIN WITHIN THE ZONE / AREA
• INSPECT AND EVALUATE BRIDGES WITHIN THE ZONE /
  AREA
• FIND AND REPORT ALL ENEMY FORCES WITHIN THE ZONE
  / AREA
• LOCATE ALL FORDS AND CROSSING SITES
• LOCATE ALL MINES AND OBSTACLES WITHIN THE ZONE /
  AREA
• LOCATE BYPASSES AROUND BUAs, OBSTACLES, AND
  CONTAMINATED AREAS
• REPORT RECONNAISSANCE INFORMATION

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ZONE RECONNAISSANCE
LOA
LOA
PL
PL
PL
PL
LD
LD
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AREA RECONNAISSANCE
PL
PL
OBJ GOLD
ALT LZ
LZ
PAM
SUE
PL
PL
LD
LD
20
30
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ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE
CRITICAL TASKS

• RECON AND DETERMINE TRAFFICABILITY OF THE ROUTE
• RECON ALL TERRAIN THE ENEMY CAN USE TO DOMINATE
• MOVEMENT ALONG THE ROUTE
• RECON ALL BUAs ON THE ROUTE
• RECON ALL LATERAL ROUTES
• INSPECT AND EVALUATE BRIDGES AND FORDS

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ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE
CRITICAL TASKS
(CONTD)

• RECON ALL DEFILES, OBSTACLES, AND BARRIERS
• LOCATE BYPASSES FOR ALL OBSTACLES AND BUAs
• FIND / REPORT ALL ENEMY THAT INFLUENCES ROUTE
• REPORT ROUTE INFORMATION

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ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE
RP
LOA
LOA
PL
PL
PL
PL
SP
LD
LD
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RECON IN FORCE
HA/FAA
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MOVEMENT TO CONTACT
EA SMASH
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CONCLUSION

• RECONNAISSANCE IS A MISSION, NOT A PLATFORM
• ATTACK HELICOPTERS PROVIDE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION
  TO RECONNAISSANCE THROUGH FLEXIBILITY, SPEED,
  OPTICS, AND FIREPOWER
• PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS MUST INCLUDE ORGANIC
  WEAPONS RANGES AND OPTICS CAPABILITIES/LIMITATIONS
  
• RS PLANNING IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS

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ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
50
10
30
SCOUTs PROVIDE FIRE DISTRIBUTION USING TRP 30
40
20
RED TM FIRES FOR LEAD SCOUT
BLUE TM FIRES FOR WING SCOUT
LEAD
WING
REMOTE SHOOTERS
SCOUT DESIGNATORS
REMOTE SHOOTERS
SECURITY
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ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
SCOUT PLT LDR CONTROLS FIRE DISTRIBUTION USING
TRPs 20 30 AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRE SUPPORT
LEAD
RED TM FIRES FOR LEAD SCOUT
BLUE TM FIRES FOR CHALK 3 SCOUT
PLT LDR
REMOTE SHOOTERS
SECURITY
REMOTE SHOOTERS
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ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
AH-64D
LEAD LBA W/RADAR SCANS EA
WING LBA W/RADAR PROVIDES SECURITY AND SCANS IN
ATM
WING
LEAD
REMOTE SHOOTERS
REMOTE SHOOTERS
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ENGAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
AH-64D
PF1
PF2
OWN
PF4
PF5
PF6
LEAD LBA W/RADAR ASSIGNS PRIORITY FIRE ZONES AND
TRANSMITS TO LBA W/O RADAR FOR RF MSL REMOTE
ENGAGEMENTS
WING
LEAD
REMOTE SHOOTERS
OWN
PF4
REMOTE SHOOTERS
PF1
PF2
PF5
PF6
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MOVEMENT TECHNIQUES
TRAVELING
TMs SEPARATE IN COMPANY FORMATION
TMs TOGETHER IN COMPANY FORMATION
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MOVEMENT TECHNIQUES
TRAVELING OVERWATCH
LOA
LOA
LT PLT MOVES FORWARD
HVY PLT OVERWATCHS LT PLTs MOVE FORWARD
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MOVEMENT TECHNIQUES
BOUNDING OVERWATCH
SUCCESSIVE
LOA
LOA
LT PLT BOUNDS FORWARD
HVY PLT OVERWATCHS LT PLTs BOUND
50
MOVEMENT TECHNIQUES
BOUNDING OVERWATCH
ALTERNATING
LOA
LOA
HVY TM WAITS FOR LT TM TO CALL SET, THEN BOUNDS
LT TM SETS, THEN OVERWATCHES HVY TMs BOUND