Patrolling and Patrol Bases

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Patrolling and Patrol Bases
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Patrolling Procedures

• Assign specific tasks to elements of the unit IAW
  estimate of situation
• Where possible, maintain squad and fire team
  integrity and continuity of command
• Ensure planning meets command intent and
  accomplishes required tasks
• Develop Standing Operating Procedures for
  patrolling tasks, teams and missions

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Patrolling Organization
Organization (Elements) Common to All Patrols

• Pace Man
• M240 Gunner (MG)
• Assistant Gunner (AG)
• Surveillance Team
• Aid and Litter Team
• Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) Team

• HQ Element
• Patrol Leader
• Assistant Patrol Leader
• Radio Telephone Operator (RTO)
• En Route Recorder
• Compass Man

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Purpose - Patrol Base

• Stop all movement to avoid detection
• Hide during a long reconnaissance of an objective
• Mess, weapons/equipment maintenance and rest
• Prepare and issue orders
• Reorganize after infiltration into an enemy area
• Base from which to conduct sequential/concurrent
  operations

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Occupy a Patrol Base

• Site Selection
• Near source of water
• Good cover and concealment
• Terrain enemy would consider of no tactical value
• Difficult terrain to impede maneuver in and out
• Easy to recognize / find
• Terrain away from lines of drift
• Defendable for a short period

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Occupy a Patrol Base (2)

• Planning Considerations
• Observation posts.
• Communication with observation posts.
• Defense of the patrol base.
• Withdrawal from the patrol base
• A security system to make sure that specific
  soldiers are awake at all times.
• Enforcement of camouflage, noise, and light
  discipline.
• The conduct of required activities with minimum
  movement and noise.

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Occupy a Patrol Base (3)
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Patrol Base Activities

• ACTIONS IN THE PATROL BASE
• Assists in patrol base occupation.
• Assist in establishing and adjusting perimeter.
• Enforces security in the patrol base.
• Keeps movement and noise to a minimum.
• Supervises and enforces camouflage.
• Assigns sectors of fire.
• Ensures designated personnel remain alert and
  equipment is maintained to a high state of
  readiness.
• Requisitions supplies, water, and ammunition,
  and supervises their distribution.

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Patrol Base Activities (2)

• Supervises the priority of work and ensures its
  accomplishment.
• Security plan.
• Ensures crew-served weapons have interlocking
  sectors of fire
• Ensures Claymores are emplaced to cover dead
  space
• Ensures range cards and sector sketch are
  complete
• Alert plan
• Evacuation plan
• Withdrawal plan
• Alternate patrol base
• Maintenance plan
• Hygiene plan
• Messing plan
• Water plan
• Rest plan
• Performs additional tasks assigned by the patrol
  leader and assists him in every way possible.

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Priorities of Work

• Security
• Position Weapons, Personnel, and Assign Sectors
  of Fire
• Establish Command Post (CP)
• Designate Final Protective Lines (FPLs) and Final
  Protective Fires (FPFs)
• Clear Fields of Fire and Prepare Range Cards /
  Sector Sketches
• Prepare Primary Fighting Positions

• Mark Target Reference Points
• Improve Primary Fighting Positions
• Prepare Alternate Positions
• Establish a Rest Plan
• Rehearse Engagements / Disengagements /
  Counterattack Plans
• Stockpile Ammo, Food and Water

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Practical Exercise

• The instructor should divide the class into three
  squads. Provide the Cadets with a platoon level
  OPORD with a mission to Occupy a Patrol Base (MSL
  301a TLP PE).
• Students should break into their respective teams
  and work through the Troop Leading Procedures

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Closing

• Summary
• Review
• Questions???