FM 17-36: Armored Cavalry Platoon and Troop Air Cavalry Troop and Divisional Armored Cavalry Squadron
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MHI Coy FM 17-36 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY FIELD MANUAl' ARMORED CAVALRY PLATOON AND TROOP AIR CAVALRY TROOP AND DIVISIONAL ARMORED CAVALRY SQUADRON HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THLE ARMY DECEMBER 1961 FM 17-36 C 1 FIELD MANUAL DIVISIONAL ARMORED AND AIR CAVALRY UNITS FM 17-36 HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CHANGES No. 1 WASHINGTON 25, D.C., 6 May 1963 FM 17-36, 21 December 1961, is changed as follows: The title of this manual is changed as shown above. PART SEVEN AIR ASSAULT DIVISION AIR CAVALRY SQUADRON (ADDED) CHAPTER 19 GENERAL Section I. GENERAL 364. Mission The mission of the air cavalry squadron is to perform recon- naissance and to provide security, by air and ground means, for the air assault division or unit to which attached, and to engage in light air and ground combat as an economy of force unit. 365. Assignment Organic to the air assault division. 366. Capabilities a. At full strength this unit- (1) Conducts ground and air reconnaissance over wide fronts and to extended depths. (2) Collects and reports information of intelligence value, employing ground and air observation and electronic ground surveillance means. (3) Protects the front, flanks or rear of the division. TAGO 9072B-May (4) Provides security between division elements or between the air assault division and adjacent units. (5) When suitably reinforced with airmobile elements, con- ducts extended semi-independent operations. (6) Provides armed air escort for airmobile operations. (7) Acts as an antiairmobile, antiairborne, and antiair cavalry force for the division. (8) Provides rear security for the division or the unit to which attached. b. The squadron is 90 percent mobile in organic air and ground vehicles. The squadron is air transportable in Air Force air- craft. 367. Limitations a. The air cavalry squadron is primarily organized for employ- ment in underdeveloped areas, against an enemy force with rela- tively unsophisticated weapons systems. The squadron does not contain sufficient organic air or ground means to replenish basic and supply loads to support combat operations over broad areas for extended periods. The squadron is, in general, limited to operating from one to three forward bases of operation which are supplied by an air line of communications (ALOC). To provide continuous availability of the relatively high volume of class IIIA and class V supplies required by the squadron, supplies should be prestocked at forward bases to preclude any shortage which might result from an unexpected interruption of air delivered supplies. b. The effectiveness of air reconnaissance and security is re- duced during the hours of darkness and other periods of reduced visibility. c. The squadron has a limited capability for sustained opera- tions and for holding ground for extended periods. d. The effectiveness of air reconnaissance and security opera- tions may be reduced by effective enemy forward air defense sys- tems. Section II. SQUADRON ORGANIZATION 368. General The air assault division air cavalry squadron consists of a headquarters and headquarters troop, three air cavalry troops and an armored cavalry troop (fig. 108.1). Organizations of the air cavalry troop and armored cavalry troop are covered in chapters 20 and 21. 2 AGO 9072B AIR CAVALRY SQUADRON AIR CAVALRY ARMORED CAVALRY HQ & HQ TROOP TROOP TROOP Figure 108.1 Organizationof the air cavalry squadron, air assault division. 369. Headquarters and Headquarters Troop a. The headquarters and headquarters troop of the air cavalry squadron is similar to the headquarters and headquarters troop of the armored cavalry squadron discussed in chapter 8. Primary differences are the addition of a squadron air vehicle section, and the deletion of the Davy Crockett section, the forward air control team, the headquarters tank section and the ground surveillance section. b. The troop normally is employed as a unit to provide com- mand, control, and limited combat service support for assigned or attached units. The troop normally will operate from the vicinity of the division base. c. The squadron headquarters, troop headquarters, squadron headquarters section, communications section, and medical section are organized essentially the same as the corresponding elements discussed in chapter 8, with some variations in personnel strengths caused by equipment changes and accompanying main- tenance and support requirements. These sections and key persons have the same general function and responsibilities; therefore, a separate discussion is omitted. d. The squadron air vehicle section facilities command/control and provides an aerial command post capability. Sufficient per- sonnel are assigned to the section to operate and maintain the air vehicles. AGO 9072B 3 e. The squadron maintenance platoon is organized into a platoon headquarters, an aircraft maintenance section and a ground vehicle maintenance section. It contains sufficient personnel and equipment to perform second echelon (organizational) mainte- nance and to supply repair parts for the weapons and vehicles of the squadron. Utility air vehicles are organic to the platoon head- quarters and provide airlift for maintenance personnel and repair parts. The aircraft maintenance section contains sufficient per- sonnel and equipment to provide backup second echelon aircraft maintenance (to include periodic inspections) and supply air- craft repair parts for the squadron. When elements of the squadron are operating from brigade bases, additional airlift of repair parts, maintenance personnel and supplies must be pro- vided by the division's aviation group. f. The squadron support platoon is organized into a platoon headquarters, a transportation section, a mess section and a supply section. The platoon contains sufficient personnel, ground vehicles and equipment to provide transportation and support required to sustain elements of the squadron for limited periods of combat. The substitution of air transportable, lightweight vehicles for heavier vehicles reduces the capability of the platoon to support the squadron. Therefore, air supply must be provided by the air assault division aviation group to support dispersed elements of the squadron. When the air cavalry troops are employed from brigade bases, they are entirely dependent upon air supply. Section III. OPERATIONAL CONCEPT AND COMBAT SUPPORT 370. Operational Concept The air cavalry squadron is designed primarily for employment in underdeveloped areas against an enemy with relatively un- sophisticated weapons systems. The squadron is normally em- ployed by attaching one air cavalry troop to each brigade, retain- ing the squadron (-) under division control. The squadron organization is sufficiently flexible, however, to permit the com- mander to tailor the reconnaissance and security force to meet specific situations and requirements. 371. Combat Support The air cavalry squadron may operate with or without attach- ments. Combat support to the air cavalry troops may be provided by aerial rocket elements, airmobile infantry, airmobile engineers, 4 AGO 9072B and tactical air. Combat support to the armored cavalry troop may be provided by artillery, engineers, infantry, and tactical air. Tank units may be attached to the squadron for specific missions. When the armored cavalry troop is operating beyond the range of artillery units supporting the command, artillery may be attached to the squadron to support the troop. When the squadron is conducting reconnaissance and security missions beyond the combat outpost (COP), the squadron should receive priority of artillery and tactical air support. CHAPTER 20 AIR CAVALRY TROOP Section I. GENERAL 372. Mission The mission of the air cavalry troop is to extend, by aerial means, the reconnaissance and security capabilities of airmobile and ground units of the air assault division, and to engage in offensive, defensive, or delaying actions, and within its capability, to seize and dominate lightly defended areas or terrain features. 373. Capabilities a. At full strength the air cavalry troop has the following capabilities: (1) Performs aerial and ground reconnaissance and provides security for the unit to which assigned or attached. (2) Engages in offensive, defensive, or delaying actions. (3) Conducts independent missions when properly rein- forced. (4) Protects the front, flanks, or rear of the squadron or unit to which attached. (5) Provides armed air escort for airmobile operations. (6) Acts as an antiairmobile, antiairborne, and antiair cavalry force for the unit to which assigned or attached. b. The air cavalry troop is 85 percent mobile using organic air and ground vehicles. When employed from locations other than the air assault division base, additional air transportation for simultaneous movement of equipment, supplies, and personnel must be provided by the division aviation group. AGO 0072B 5 374. Limitations a. The substitution of lighter weight vehicles for heavier vehicles reduces the capability of the troop for self-sustained logistical support. b. Extensive air logistical support is required when operating from brigade or other forward bases. c. A high density of multi-skilled personnel is required. d. The effectiveness of air reconnaissance is reduced in dense jungle-type vegetation, during the hours of darkness, and other periods of reduced visibility. ,e. The troop has a limited capability to hold ground for ex- tended periods. Section II. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONAL CONCEPTS 375. Organization The organization of the air cavalry troop of the air