CHAPTER 2 - FUNDAMENTALS
Long-range surveillance units use infantry and ranger skills combined with skilled communication operators and intelligence personnel to collect and report battlefield intelligence. The fundamentals of LRS operations are command and control, communication, mission development, and operational security.
Section I. COMMAND AND CONTROL
Command and control (C2) is the process of directing and controlling military forces. For LRSU operations, C2 must be effective during all conditions, especially across the operational continuum with a special emphasis of operations conducted during the enemy's use of electronic warfare. (Figure 2-1.)
2-1. STRUCTURE
The LRSU's C2 system is structured for rapid deployment and collecting and reporting information. Communication, SOPs, and training to standard are critical to the success of C2.
a. The LRSC is organic to the tactical exploitation battalion of the military intelligence brigade. The corps G2 in coordination with other staff sections determines mission requirements for the LRSC.
b. The LRSD is organic to the MI battalion of the division. The division G2 in coordination with other staff sections determines mission requirements for the LRSD.
2-2. MISSION TASKINGS
Efficient C2 allows the LRSC taskings from the corps or and the LRSD to respond quickly to mission division G2 (collection management and dissemination [CM&D] section). Missions assigned to LRSUs support corps and division commanders' priority intelligence requirements (PIR) and information requirements (IR) as stated in the collection plan. The commander's PIR govern the organization and conduct of reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition} and damage assessment operations. First priority usually goes to the information required for continuous operations. The faster the change in battlefield conditions, the more important reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and damage assessment operations become. The PIR serve to focus the unit's collection effort on the most important features of the enemy and terrain. Intelligence collection efforts provide the commander with a complete and accurate picture of the total battlefield. The PIR and IR are the basis for collection operations; they are analyzed by the all-source analysis section in conjunction with the IPB. The all-source analysis section develops indicators for each PIR and IR. (Indicators are any evidence of enemy activity or any characteristics of the area of operations that point toward enemy capabilities, vulnerabilities, or intentions.) From those indicators, statements or questions are derived that will satisfy specific information requirements (SIR). These questions or statements form the basis for specific LRS taskings. (For more information, see FM 34-8.)
a. Sound tactical planning and operations depend on intelligence. The corps and division G2s plan and coordinate collection capabilities and other intelligence functions to give corps and division commanders the ability to see and fight throughout the depth of the battlefield. The commander can then consistently make decisions faster than the enemy. The corps and division intelligence systems support operations by obtaining specific information required to confirm or deny indicators to satisfy the commander's PIR. The LRSU is tasked to collect information on surveillance targets to satisfy some of these SIR. The G2 ensures that assigned LRSU targets satisfy both PIR and IR and offer a reasonable chance of mission accomplishment and team survivability. Examples of possible targets are--
Critical points along avenues of approach. Critical points along key lines of communication. Airfields. River fords. Bridges or rail junctions. Ordnance or logistical depots. Railroad yards. Known enemy command posts and headquarters. Assembly areas. Air base traffic. Economic activity. Political and propaganda activity. Drug processing or drug growing activity. Refuge flow. In operations other than war, the tasking procedure does not change, but types of surveillance targets do. Targets in an operation other than war environment include infiltration routes, supply bases, training bases, and assembly areas.