C2, FM 17-95 REGIMENT ARMORED CAVALRY SQUADRON The regiment does not normally conduct a route reconnaissance. Usually, the regi- The armored cavalry squadron does not ment obtains route information as part of normally conduct a route reconnaissance. another operation. When directed to obtain Usually, the squadron obtains route informa- route information or when assigned a tion as part of a zone reconnaissance or by mission implying route reconnaissance, a assigning the mission to a troop. Only one regiment: major route should be assigned a troop when enemy contact is expected. If time is essen- * Designates route(s) of interest. tial and the route and surrounding area is * Assigns a mission(s) to a squadron(s) relatively open, such as in a desert or great and/or the air cavalry troop. plains area, the divisional squadron may assign a route reconnaissance to the air * Should not assign a squadron more cavalry troop. A discussion of route recon- than three major routes if enemy naissance by an air cavalry troop begins on contact is expected. page 5-45. A discussion of techniques of route reconnaissance by an armored cavalry troop If speed is essential and terrain is begins on page 5-18. relatively open, such as in a desert or great plains area, the air cavalry troop may be assigned a route reconnaissance mission. ARMORED CAVALRY Normally, the reconnaissance is completed TROOP AND PLATOON most rapidly if air and armored cavalry elements are used together. This can be done by: When enemy contact is expected, a troop * Using the air cavalry troop under should be assigned only one major route. If regimental control to reconnoiter to enemy contact is unlikely, a troop can the front and flanks of armored reconnoiter three routes. Adjacent terrain cavalry. dominating the route, woods, towns and lateral routes from which the enemy could * Assigning the air cavalry troop the place direct fire or attack friendly forces on mission and reinforcing it with the route must be reconnoitered. The class of armored cavalry. bridges; location of fords and bypasses; clearance a Placing air cavalry teams under the of overhead crossovers; width, control of a squadron. slope, and composition of the roadway; and depth of streams are important factors which On occasion, air cavalry may assume must be detemined and reported. The veloc- operational control of ground cavalry units. ity of a stream or river is important if units This, however, restricts the mobility of the air will have to "swim" vehicles. cavalry unit. 5-18 FMIB 17-95 Armored Cavalry Troop. A troop Flank platoons reconnoiter lateral routes and reconnoitering a single route normally de- terrain dominating the primary route. The ploys one platoon on the route flanked by the flank platoons reconnoiter forward of the other two platoons. The center platoon platoon reconnoitering the route to uncover reconnoiters the route and adjacent terrain. enemy ambushes. 5-19 C1, FM 17-95 If three routes are assigned, the troop com- The troop commander and FIST are forward. mander assigns a route to each platoon. If only When the troop reconnoiters one route, the two routes are assigned, one platoon moves command group normally follows the platoon behind the platoon assigned the most difficult or reconnoitering the route. If the troop is recon- important route, ready for use as the situation noitering more than one route, the command group follows the platoon most likely to make enemy contact. This element checks key terrain on the nortl flank of the route. This element checks key terrain on the soutl flank of the route. This element uses a combination of the three movement techniques during mission accom plishment. Detailed reports, such as route and bridge reports, are compiled at troop based on spot reports submitted by the platoon(s). The troop commander may rendezvous with a platoon leader to obtain or provide detailed information. 5-20 C1, FM 17-95 Armored Cavalry Platoon. A cavalry and the other team the right flank. The scouts platoon should be assigned only one route. A from one team are assigned to reconnoiter the platoon reconnoitering a route may use either actual route. The platoon leader moves where a two-team or three-team organization. The he can best control the platoon and maintain three-team tank-consolidated organization communications with troop headquarters. should be used when the tanks can provide Actions of a platoon conducting a route overwatch fires over the route or when reconnaissance are shown below. In this overcoming an obstacle. In the two-team situation, the platoon is organized in two method, one team is assigned the left flank teams. 5-21 C1, FM 17-95 As the line of departure (LD) is crossed, The scouts from both teams move for- the platoon leader sends Team A to reconnoi- ward to look for fords, cross the stream, and ter the high ground at postion 1 and Team B reconnoiter the high ground at position 7 and to reconnoiter the woods at position 2. The 8. Each team sends one vehicle back to the scouts reconnoitering the actual route pro- bridge to provide security. Next, the platoon ceed along the flanks of the route. Teams A changes into a three-team, tank-consolidated and B use bounding overwatch to increase organization to clear the bridge. The tanks security. Teams A and B finish their recon- consolidate at position 6 to provide overwatch naissance and remain in position, while the while the bridge is being cleared. scouts reconnoitering the route move to Personnel from the platoon leader's position 3 and report their findings to. the vehicle, with a mine detector, as well as the platoon leader. The scouts in Team A then security personnel check the bridge and move forward to reconnoiter the lateral route approaches while being overwatched by the at position 4. The tanks in Team A provide tanks. Once the reconnaissance of the bridge overwatch for the scouts from position 1. and approach has been completed and the Upon completing the reconnaissance, the bridge has been classified capable of safely scouts return to position 4. Team B reconnoi- sustaining the heaviest vehicle weight, the ters the high ground and position 5 and crossing may begin. When the platoon is remains in place while the scouts checking across the river, it reforms into the two-team !the route move to position 6. organization and continues the route recon- naissance. ZONE RECONNAISSANCE ~- -~- Zone reconnaissance is a detailed recon- routes of advance for the main body. A zone naissance of all natural and man-made reconnaissance mission is normally per- features within specified boundaries. It is formed when the enemy situation is in doubt, more thorough and time consuming than or information on cross-country trafficability other types of reconnaissance. The purpose is desired. The following is a situation may be to locate enemy and/or suitable requiring zone reconnaissance. 5-22 FM 17-95 ""w~"~~w"~""~l~~"~~~"rr~""~~l~~~"l"l~ The zone to be reconnoitered is defined by ARMORED CAVALRY lateral boundaries, a line of departure, and an objective. The objective provides a termina- tion point for the mission; it may or may not SQUADRON be occupied by the enemy. A phase line may also be used as a termination point. The zone must be thoroughly reconnoitered, whereas a A squadron may be assigned zone recon- route reconnaissance would require only a naissance as a primary mission. The squad- reconnaissance of route Red and the num- ron conducts zone reconnaissance by advan- bered features. cing boldly, normally with three armored cavalry troops abreast. On those rare occa- sions when a squadron is assigned a narrow REGIMENT front requiring only two troops abreast, the third troop is kept in reserve. The reserve is The regiment performs zone reconnais- committed to develop the situation rapidly, sance as part of a covering force mission. help maintain forward momentum, and help Covering force missions are discussed in reconnoitering troops maintain freedom to chapter 6. maneuver. 5-23 FM 17-95 The squadron must reconnoiter all routes and terrain and locate all enemy forces within its assigned zone. If enemy contact is made, the situation is rapidly developed through standard actions on contact. Courses of action available to the squadron are: U Attack to destroy the enemy. This is done by a hasty attack or a series of hasty attacks at the troop and platoon level. It is best done by allowing the troop in contact to exert pressure on its own initiative. The other troops should continue to advance in an effort to find and attack a flank of the enemy position. In a regimental squadron, the tank company should be brought rapidly forward and committed to destroy the enemy force, preferably by attacking a flank. All of this must be accomplished rapidly because the longer the delay, the greater the effectiveness of enemy reaction. A squadron commander, with all maneuver forces in contact, should influence the situation by massing or shifting supporting fires and using attack helicopters and close air support. The more enemy he can kill with artillery, attack helicopters, and close air support, the fewer casualties the squadron will suffer. There should be no attempt at gradual escalation. Overpowering force (maneuver forces and supporting fires) should be used to crush the enemy as rapidly as possible. * Bypass the enemy and leave an element in visual contact.. Air cav- alry is often ideal for this. Itis best to know what a bypassed enemy is doing. The squadron is responsible for knowing until relieved by higher headquarters or following forces. * Defend, if the enemy force encountered is superior in strength.