RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE ● SP RP ROUTE CUSTER H - 0650 L H + 2+00 AB 1001 AB 1003 AB 1002 CP3 CP2 CP1 LOD LOA P L SPUR P L STETSON A route reconnaissance is conducted to obtain information about a specific route and all adjacent terrain from which the enemy could influence movement along the route. The reconnaissance may be oriented on a road, an axis, an air route, or a general direction of advance or attack.. The route reconnaissance is usually conducted as part of a zone reconnaissance. ACTMs and ground cavalry teams gather information about the designated route and all adjacent terrain from which an enemy could engage friendly forces with direct fires. The ACTM may periodically dismount to physically inspect key terrain, if the situation allows. Command of the route reconnaissance will normally be assigned to the ground force because they do not rotate crews like aviation, instead they remain on station..

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE Before conducting a route reconnaissance, the air cavalry element must know certain information about the route. This information includes : 1. Critical tasks to be accomplished by ACTM and scout platoon, when used. Any tasks that may be deleted during the reconnaissance are identified.

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE The following critical tasks are for a route reconnaissance: Reconnoiter all terrain the enemy can use to dominate movement along the route. Reconnoiter all terrain within the zone, assist scout platoon(s) with built-up areas. Locate sites for constructing hasty obstacles to impede enemy movement. Reconnoiter all defiles along the route for possible ambush sites and locate a bypass. Locate a bypass around built-up areas, obstacles, and contaminated areas. Find and report all enemy that can influence movement along the route. Report route information.

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE 2. Task organization. Any reinforcements, especially engineers, and their relationship to the troop are identified. Supporting artillery relationships are also defined. AB 1001 AB 1003 AB 1002 ● E

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE RP 3. Start Point, Release Point, and designation of the route AB 1001 AB 1003 AB 1002 ROUTE CUSTER ● E SP

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE ● SP RP ROUTE CUSTER 4. Mission to be performed to the SP and after reaching the RP. AB 1001 AB 1003 AB 1002

5. Time the mission is to start and, if required, to be completed. RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE E ● SP RP ROUTE CUSTER H + 2+00 AB 1001 AB 1003 AB 1002 5. Time the mission is to start and, if required, to be completed. H - 0650 L

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE RP H + 2+00 AB 1001 AB 1003 AB 1002 CP3 CP2 ROUTE CUSTER CP1 H - 0650 L ● E SP 6. Critical points along the route identified as checkpoints.

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE RP H + 2+00 AB 1001 AB 1003 AB 1002 CP3 CP2 ROUTE CUSTER 7. Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) information on the route and enemy situation. CP1 H - 0650 L ● E SP

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE LOA P L STETSON RP LOD LOA H + 2+00 AB 1001 AB 1003 AB 1002 CP3 P L SPUR P L STETSON CP2 8. Any constraints or restrictions. ROUTE CUSTER CP1 H - 0650 L ● E SP

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE LOA RP H + 2+00 LOA 9. Expected weather conditions for the time of movement. AB 1001 AB 1003 AB 1002 CP3 P L STETSON CP2 ROUTE CUSTER CP1 P L SPUR H - 0650 L ● E SP LOD

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE LOA RP H + 2+00 LOA 10. Type of unit or vehicles expected to use the route, if applicable. AB 1001 AB 1003 AB 1002 CP3 P L STETSON CP2 ROUTE CUSTER CP1 P L SPUR H - 0650 L ● E SP LOD

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE LOA RP H + 2+00 LOA 11. Time of day or night the route is expected to be used, if applicable. AB 1001 AB 1003 AB 1002 CP3 P L STETSON CP2 ROUTE CUSTER CP1 P L SPUR H - 0650 L ● E SP LOD

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE When the crew reconnoiters ground routes, they must check roads, bridges, tunnels, underpasses, and cross country segments.

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE The crew must also classify the route. The following factors should be considered when classifying the route. SURFACE TYPE WIDTH DRAINAGE SURFACE CONDITION GRADES and CURVES DRIVE-OFF CAPABILITY CONCEALMENT

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE SURFACE TYPE: X : All Weather Surface types may include concrete, blacktop, sand, gravel, or clay. Surface classifications are: X : All Weather Y : Limited All Weather Z : Fair Weather

ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE SURFACE TYPE: All Weather type X: A type X road is, with reasonable maintenance, passable throughout the year with the volume of traffic never significantly less then the road’s maximum capacity in good weather. It would not be closed to traffic other than snow blockage.

ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE SURFACE TYPE: LIMITED ALL WEATHER Type Y: A type Y road is, with reasonable maintenance, can be kept open in bad weather to a volume of traffic which is considerably less than it’s normal good weather capacity. This type of road does not have a water proof surface and is affected by rain, frost, or thaw.

ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE SURFACE TYPE: FAIR WEATHER Type Z: A type Z road becomes quickly impassible in bad weather and cannot be kept open by normal maintenance. It is seriously affected by rain, frost, or thaw.

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE WIDTH The width is estimated and expressed in number of lanes. The same road might provide two lanes for NATO 6X6 trucks but only one lane for M1 Tanks.

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE DRAINAGE This is an important consideration if the road surface is gravel, sand, or clay. The crown height determines how effective the drainage will be. The road and ditches should be checked for standing water.

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE SURFACE CONDITIONS Combat damage. Cuts, craters, dirt slides, ruts, cracks, or excessive erosion are important surface condition elements.

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE GRADES and CURVES Steep grades of more than 7% and sharp curves with less than a 25 meter radius reduce the suitability of the road and are likely enemy ambush sites.

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE DRIVE-OFF CAPABILITY Shoulder condition, width, and slope determine whether vehicles can be parked off of the roadway.

Trees offer limited concealment for vehicles RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE CONCEALMENT Trees offer limited concealment for vehicles

RECONNAISSANCE ROUTE RECONNAISSANCE When time is not available, scout platoon assets are not available, or the mission does not require detailed information, cavalry assets may have to conduct a hasty route reconnaissance. In this case, information gathering is limited to the type of route (X--unlimited or all weather, Y--limited or fair weather, or Z--poor weather) and obstacle limitations (maximum weight, height, and width). The commander may also identify certain additional information that must be gathered. URS Fort Rucker - Teaching those who “Fly above the best.”