APPENDIX E - LRSU HIDE AND SURVEILLANCE SITES
Surveillance is the primary mission of LRSU. When conducting surveillance, the leader reconnoiters and selects a hide position and a surveillance position. The two positions can be in the same location. This decision is based on an estimate of the situation and the factors of METT-T. The hide site provides a base from which to stage HF or satellite communications (either a remote communication site or directly from the hide site). It also reduces the number of personnel at the surveillance site, thereby reducing the chance of compromise. The hide site provides an operational base for the team from which personnel can be rotated to and from the surveillance site. The surveillance site is where selected team members observe or survey the objective. Communication between the two sites is by wire, FM, or messenger.
E-1. TYPES OF HIDE AND SURVEILLANCE SITES
The type of hide or surveillance site employed depends on METT-T. Improvement of camouflage, at a minimum, must be continuous while occupying the site. The enemy situation may not allow a team to improve from a surface site to a subsurface site.
a. Surface Site. (See Figure E-1.)
(1) Advantages.
Easy to construct. Requires minimal materials. Can be done quickly and quietly. No large amounts of soil need to be relocated. Stand-off capable optics are used to provide the security that is lost due to less camouflage. Surveillance team can escape quickly. (2) Disadvantages.
Little protection from small-arms weapons fire. No protection from indirect fires or NBC. Risk of compromise by dogs, civilians, and enemy patrols. (3) Construction materials.
Poncho(s) (waterproof). Yetti or camouflage net. (Prevents reflection of poncho; aids in camouflage.) 550-pound cord or bungee cord. Chicken wire (optional). Burlap or canvas cloth (optional). (4) Considerations for surface site.
(a) Team members avoid cutting any vegetation. They use man-made or natural camouflage.
(b) Team members keep all equipment packed when not in use.
(c) Team members always stay in uniform. They do not remove load-carving equipment.
(d) Security is maintained 24 hours a day.
(e) Two to three team members may occupy a surveillance site. With three team members, they can stay longer, and one team member can rest. However, the site is larger and harder to conceal.
(f) The best time to switch surveillance teams is just after dark and just before daylight.
(g) Communication is setup between the hide site and the surveillance site.
(h) Team members take rucksacks to the surveillance site.
(i) In some situations, surveillance of the objective may only be done during limited visibility; the team stays in the hide site during the day.
(j) The surveillance site has all-round coverage, with nets or natural camouflage so it cannot be seen from any angle to include overhead.
(k) Distance between the hide site, the surveillance site, and the communication site (if used) depends on METT-T. Terrain should be the main factor.
(l) The team changes directions when moving from the hide site to the surveillance site, when possible (dog leg, fish hook, or indirect route).
(m) The team does not wear gillie suits (at least two per team) during movement. Pieces of the suit will rip off in vegetation and leave a trail. The soldiers put the suits on just before occupying the surveillance site.
b. Hasty Subsurface Site. A hasty subsurface site is constructed when there is not enough time to construct a complete subsurface site. The site is especially useful when there is little natural cover and concealment. The site is planned so that it can be improved to a full subsurface site as time and the situation allows. (See Figures E-1 through E-3.)
(1) Advantages.
Lower profile than surface surveillance site. Better protection against small-arms weapons and indirect fires. Excellent camouflage. (2) Disadvantages.
Limited construction tools. Soil must be concealed. Requires more time to construct. Construction noise. (3) Construction materials.