WHY RECONNAISSANCE 
& SURVEILLANCE IN LE?

WHY RECON/SURVEILLANCE?

 

Obtain evidence of a crime, observe crimes being committed, Check on the reliability/truthfulness of witnesses/victims, Obtain local information on an individual, Monitor movement and activities of suspects, Collect planning information for a raid, Determine if a suspect is frequenting a certain location, Observe meetings or transaction of suspect individuals, Curtail criminal activity, Confirm presence or activities of a suspect.

 

Surveillance is the dual mission of the Recon scout team. The recce team can also conduct limited reconnaissance missions primarily within human intelligence.

 

A reconnaissance mission significantly increases a team's vulnerability and, thus, chances of compromise. The mobility of a team is limited to foot movement and with the typical loads that your team carries, the size of the area they can reconnoiter is greatly reduced. STs are not equipped or staffed for these types of missions nor is it their primary function; however, they must be prepared to conduct limited active reconnaissance. When conducting reconnaissance operations, the recce team must be accompanied by a security element, which can be organic.

​

AREA OR ZONE SCOUT

​

Area reconnaissance is used to obtain detailed information about all routes, obstacles, and threat forces in a defined area. The team leader organizes his TEAM to conduct the reconnaissance in one of two ways. Depending on the terrain and time, he may either use single or multiple separate reconnaissance and security elements.

​

Reconnaissance and security teams may be employed in any size reconnaissance patrol. When conducting reconnaissance missions in team-size units, the team may be organized in many ways.

​

1.         One 2-to 3-man reconnaissance and security team conducts the reconnaissance. The remainder of the team stays at the release point and establishes a hide site.

​

2.         Two reconnaissance and security teams reconnoiter a separate portion of the objective and then link up at a designated linkup point.

​

3.         One reconnaissance and security team, with one security team that will follow the reconnaissance and security team (for example, about 50 meters back), acts as a quick-reaction force. The entire team departs the objective area when the reconnaissance is complete.

​

In a reconnaissance and security team, the reconnaissance can be done by one or two STs; the rest of the element provides security. The team leader controls this movement with arm-and-hand signals. The number of scouts in a reconnaissance and security team may vary depending on the mission. Usually, three scouts are required for an adequate reconnaissance and still provide the required security. The information used may vary according to the terrain. The most important planning consideration is that each ST of the reconnaissance and security team knows the sector or area for which he is responsible.

​

Once the team leader organizes the TEAM, the objective is reconnoitered by using one of the following applications.

​

Long-range observation and surveillance

​

Long-range observation and surveillance is the observation of an objective from a point (an observation post). It must be far enough from the objective to be outside threat small-arms weapons range and local security measures. This technique can be used whenever METT-T allows the information to be gathered from a distance. It is the most desirable method for executing an area scout, because the team does not approach close enough to be detected. Also, this prevents the team's no-fire area from overlapping the objective area. When information cannot be gathered from one observation post, a series of observation posts to be occupied by one scout team may be used. Observation posts are used that have cover and concealment. They should have a good view of the objective. Routes between and from observation posts to the hide site or release point should have cover and concealment.

​

Short-range observation and surveillance

​

Short-range observation and surveillance is the observation of an objective from a place that is within the range of threat small-arms weapons fire and local security measures.

​

Short-range observation is used when METT-T requires close approach to the objective to gain information.

​

Short-range observation and surveillance may be from observation posts, but usually the scout teams must move near the objective before they can find a position from which to observe. In some cases, the reconnaissance teams may gather information by listening even though they cannot see the threat.

​

Short-range observation increases the chance the team will be detected. The threat may employ anti-intrusion devices and patrols close to their key installations. Inclement weather may reduce the sounds of the scout team's movement and limited visibility favors short-range observation. When short-range observation is necessary, the teams use every measure possible (both passive and active to avoid detection.

​

In reconnaissance of a wood line, the scout element (as organized by the team leader) uses concealed routes and stealth to reach the wood line and avoids contact. It checks for evidence of threat activity such as tracks, litter, old fighting positions, mines, booby traps, and obstacles. It determines if the woods are trafficable and checks all positions from which the threat could observe and fire on friendly elements in open areas and reports its findings.

​

METHODS OF MOVEMENT

​

This topic discusses techniques and considerations the TEAM uses when conducting tactical movement.

​

FOOT MOVEMENT

​

Regardless of the means of transportation into an area of operation, the TEAM eventually moves on foot to accomplish its mission. The ability of the team to accomplish its mission is directly related to how it uses the terrain. The team avoids contact by using the most effective movement formation and technique and by maintaining security. When planning for movement, the team leader considers the following:

 

Departure and reentry of friendly lines

Route selection

Land navigation

Control measures

 

Critical Tasks at objective:

 

•Secure and Occupy ORP (a)

•Leader’s Recon of OBJ

•Est. RP

•Pinpoint OBJ

•Est. Surveillance (S & O Team)

•Position Security element if used

•Conduct Recon by long-range surveillance if possible (b)

•Conduct recon by short-range surveillance if necessary (c)

•Tms move as necessary to successive OP’s (d)

•On order, Tms return to RP (e)

•Once PIR is gathered, Tms return to ORP

•Patrol links up as directed in ORP

•Patrol disseminates info before Moving