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Winning the Counter-Reconnaissance Fight

Home-Station Training is the Answer!

by CPT Frank Maraquin, MVR COOC

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Task Force Alpha had just completed its Movement to Contact. It had inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. The TF had achieved its objective and was reorganizing to continue the attack when it got the word to assume a hasty defense in order to rearm, refuel, and refit.

The division assessed its ability to continue. It discovered that not all elements were as successful as TF Alpha. Division sent word down that all units would hold positions for 72 hours so that the it could replenish the unsuccessful elements with sufficient combat power to continue operations. Team Delta of TF Alpha was ordered to stay in position and execute the task of the counter-reconnaissance fight so the TF could prepare for its deliberate defense.

This is a typical task when executing a deliberate defense at the Combat Maneuver Training Center. It occurs right after change of mission. It involves whatever combat power is currently available from the company tasked to execute that mission. The company is assigned a zone to keep clear of enemy reconnaissance vehicles. It is also augmented with the TF scouts, Ground Surveillance Radar and occasionally with sections or platoons from other companies.

Once the company occupies the zone, the commander has to allocate forces to provide the best assurance that the enemy reconnaissance does not get through. This means that the scouts deploy on a screen line with layered combat killing systems to rid the zone of the enemy. This operation usually lasts about 36 hours. Meanwhile the unit reconstitutes itself, coordinates development of standing operating procedures with the elements not normally associated with the company and develops Courses of Action on how to defeat the enemy reconnaissance.

Most Task Forces expect that the company fighting the Counter-Reconnaissance fight will also prepare defensive positions in the Task Force main defensive belt. Fighting the Counter-Reconnaissance and setting up the defense are equally important. If you do not defeat the reconnaissance, nine times out of ten, you will not win the defensive fight.

THE WAR STOPPERS

These are the major difficulties TFs experience while executing the counter-reconnaissance fight:

• The Task Force commander does not release control of the Scouts to the Company Commander.

• The Scouts do not go to ground, thus causing fratricides.

• The killer is too far away from the hunter. This results in ineffecient handover (or in the case of limited visibility, not effective at all).

• Failure to ensure that no enemy dismount teams were released and sent observers and reported on actions in the main defensive belt before the enemy was destroyed.

INCREASE THE ODDS

Raise the Ante with focused Home-Station Training

Want better odds for winning in the defense? Win the Counter-Reconnaissance fight! Here are some tips on how you accomplish that:

1. Make sure that the commander has sufficient forces to win the fight.

• Know how the enemy will fight so you can properly allocate forces to defeat him.

• Do not rely on numbers alone to assure success.

2. Fight platoons as sections. This preserves your forces and allows you to cover more of the zone for which you are responsible.

3. Protect scouts. They are your eyes and ears. You must protect them.

4. Overcome the reluctance of some Task Forces to assign OPCON of the Scout platoon to the Company Commander. (This creates a C2nightmare for both the Task Force and the Company.)

Units do not train this effectively at home station. And it shows when they execute at the CMTC.

Techniques: Use a sandtable to wherever possible to plan, rehearse and train at Home Station.

1. Train at Home Station to establish a working relationship with the Scout Platoon or develop an appropriate SOP for the Task Force.

2. Train at Home Station to develop proficiency in applying the hunter/killer technique for fighting the counter-reconnaissance fight.

• The hunter/killer technique merges Bradleys or tanks with Scouts.

• The TF S2 or Company Commander gives the Scouts (The Hunters) designated NAIs.

• The Scouts go to ground and do not move.

• The Brads or Tanks (The Killers) go to hide positions not far from the hunters to be vectored in by the hunters to kill the reconnaissance.

• This technique also minimizes the possibility of fratricide.

3. Practice using infantrymen to seek out and destroy dismounted insertion teams that the enemy sends into the zone. The enemy's mission is to find the main defensive belt and to pre-breach any obstacles. Use of infantrymen rids the zone of enemy dismount teams.

4. Commanders should use Home-Station training as an opportunity to refine their ability to develop a search and destroy plan. Finding the enemy and destroying it is a difficult, time-consuming process.

• Start your search in the high ground around the main defensive belt and areas around friendly obstacles.

• Remember, perseverance is the key. It takes time and patience to find the enemy.

• Minimize the chance of fratricide.

• Maintain Situational Awareness.

• Make sure units know where they are at all times.

• Establish precise routes for the infantrymen.

SUMMARY

Fighting the counter-reconnaissance fight is no easy task. The difficulties highlighted above are those most often experienced in executing the counter-reconnaissance fight. They are based on observations compiled during countless rotations here at the CMTC. Hopefully this article sheds some light on techniques that units will find useful for training to enhance their proficiency when executing a defense. Home Station is the key to success.

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PSYOP and the Maneuver Commander at the JRTC
Rehearsals - Ensuring Mission Success