CHAPTER 4 - SUPPORT
LRSUs lack the ability to support themselves in terms of combat support and combat service support. Mission analysis may dictate the requirement for combat support and combat service support from outside the company or detachment.
Section I. COMBAT SUPPORT
Combat support consists of operational assistance furnished to the LRSUs by other designated units. This support may become necessary at any time during the insertion, execution, or extraction phase of an LRS mission.
4-1. JOINT SERVICE SUPPORT
The LRSU requires extensive joint service support. The mission and the decision to execute that mission often depend on the amount and type of support available. This is particularly true during insertion and extraction.
a. Air Force. LRS teams require assistance from the Air Force for insertion, extraction, or close air support. Specially trained USAF crews are proficient in special operations, low-level flight. These crews can also operate using the adverse weather aerial delivery system. LRS teams are trained and equipped (VHF and UHF radios) to incorporate combat air support assets into their operations in support of target-acquisition missions or self-defense. LRS teams and USAF combat control teams may work together in a joint airborne advance party for specific operations, normally in support of forced entry operations.
(1) Employment. Combat control teams provide assistance and guidance to incoming airlift aircraft to the designated LZs or DZs. LRS teams accompany the combat control teams into the objective area. The LRS teams conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations before the airborne force is deployed.
(a) The combat control teams' missions are to locate, identify, and mark the LZ or DZ and to establish and operate navigational aids and air traffic control communication. Combat control teams assist and guide airlift aircraft to the appropriate LZ or DZ. Combat control teams also remove obstacles and unexploded ordnance with demolitions.
(b) LRS teams surveil one or two named areas of interest in the objective area. The LRS teams observe and report to the ground force commander. One of the assigned named areas of interest is usually the main body LZ or DZ. The LRS team infiltrates with the combat control team and conducts reconnaissance and surveillance operations on the named areas of interests in the objective area. The team also observes and reports on the status of the LZ or DZ. All reports are sent to the ground force commander over long-range, man-portable communication systems.
(2) Deployment. The joint airborne advance party can be infiltrated by air, water, or land. The ground force commander develops plans to deploy the combat control teams and LRS teams during the planning stage of an airborne operation. To reduce the risk to the teams during deployment into the objective area, the airborne and airlift commanders determine the timing for insertion and method of delivery. The commanders consider the requirement for combat control teams to be fully operational in minimum time after reaching the LZ or DZ. This allows navigational, identification, and directional aids to be available for the maximum number of aircraft. Early deployment of the LRS teams is also critical so that detailed and accurate information can be assembled and passed to the ground force commander. Once notified of the impending deployment, LRS teams consider the following actions in planning for the mission.
(a) Perform static line or high-altitude, high-opening parachute operations to insert into the objective area.
(b) Conduct surveillance operations on assigned named areas of interest. The main assault force DZ is treated as a named area of interest.
(c) Conduct surveillance of enemy high-value targets.
(d) Conduct forward area limited observation program to provide limited weather and terrain information to the commander.
(e) Establish communication between friendly forces in the objective area and the task force commander at the home station. For each mission, the LRS team can establish any or all of the following communication nets: HF, VHF, and tactical satellite, if available.
(f) Perform other potential missions as directed by the commander to include: emplace remote sensors; conduct radiological or chemical surveys; direct fire missions for artillery, naval gunfire, or close air support; and conduct pathfinder or linkup operations, or both.
b. Navy and Marine Corps. Both the USN and the USMC have units equipped and trained to support ground forces. LRS operations may require the following support: