[Dozer523]

ANNEX D (Recon Patrol Tips) to Detachment B-52 (Project Delta) Reconnaissance Tips of the Trade.

RECON PATROL TIPS

1. When making VRs always mark every LZ within your AO and near it on your map. Plan the route of march so that you will always know how far and on what azimuth the nearest LZ is located.
2. Don’t cut too much map showing your recon zone (RZ). Always designate at least 5 - 10 kilometers surrounding your RZ as running room.
3. Base the number of canteens per man upon the weather and availability of water in the AO. Select water points when planning your route of march.
4. Check all team members’ pockets prior to departing home base for passes, ID Cards, lighters with insignias, rings with insignias, etc. Personnel should only carry dog tags while on patrol.
5. If the team uses a grenadier armed with rifle grenades, have him place a crimped cartridge as the first round in each magazine. After firing the grenade, he can use the rifle normally. When the magazine is empty and a new one is inserted the grenadier can quickly fire another grenade.
6. Always carry maps and notebooks in waterproof containers.
7. Use a pencil to make notes during an operation. Ink smears when it becomes wet, whereas lead does not.
8. Inspect each team member’s uniform and equipment, especially radios and strobe lights, prior to departure on a mission.
9. If you use the Hanson Rig, adjust your harness and webbing before leaving on patrol.
10. During the rainy season take extra cough medicine and codeine on patrol.
11. The location and proper use of morphins should be known by all team members.
12. All survival equipment should be tied or secured to the uniform or harness to prevent loss if pockets become torn, etc.
13. Each U.S. or key team member should carry maps, notebook, SOI in the same pocket of each uniform, for hasty removal by other team member if one becomes a casualty.
14. Take paper matches to the field in waterproof container. Do not take cigarette lighters as they make too much noise when opening and closing.
15. Tie panel and mirror to pocket flap to prevent losing.
16. Always carry rifle cleaning equipment on operations, i.e., brush, oil and at least one cleaning rod.
17. Each team should have a designated primary and alternate rally point at al times. The team leader is responsible for ensuring that each team member knows the azimuth and approximate distance to each rally point / LZ.
18. Never take pictures of team members while on patrol. If the enemy captures the camera, they will have gained valuable intelligence.
19. At least two pen light s should be taken by each team.
20. While on patrol, move 20 minutes and halt and listen for 10. Listen half the amount of time you move. Move and halt at irregular intervals.
21. Stay alert at all times. You are never 100% safe until you are back home.
22. Never break limbs or branches on trees, bushes, or palms, or you will leave a very clear trail for the enemy to follow.
23. Put insect / leech repellent around tops of boots, on pants fly, belt, and cuffs to stop leeches and insects.
24. Do most of your moving during the morning hours to conserve water, however never be afraid to move at night, especially if you think your RON has been discovered.
25. Continually check your point man to ensure that he is on the correct azimuth. Do not run a compass course on patrol, change directions regularly.
26. If followed by trackers, change direction of movement often and attempt to evade or ambush your tracker, they make good PWs.
27. Do not ask for a “fix” from a FAC unless it is absolutely necessary. This will aid in the prevention of compromise.
28. Force yourself to cough whenever a high performance aircraft passes overhead. It will clear your throat, ease tension, and cannot be heard. If you must cough, cough in your hat or neckerchief to smother the noise.
29. Never take off your web gear off, day or night. In an area where it is necessary to put the jungle sweater on at night, no more than two patrol members at a time should do so. Take the sweater off the next morning to cold and over-heating.
30. If you change socks, especially in the rainy season, try to wait until RON and have no more than two members change socks at one time. Never take off both boots at the same time.
31. When a team member starts to come down with immersion foot, stop in a secure position, remove the injured person’s boot, dry his feet, put foot powder on his feet, and place a ground sheet or poncho over his feet so that they can dry out. Continued walking will make matters worse, assuring the man will become a casualty, thereby halting the further progress of the team.
32. Desenex or Vaseline rubbed on the feet during the rainy season or in wet weather will aid in the prevention of immersion foot. It will also help avoid chapping if put on the hands.
33. Gloves will protect the hands and aid in holding the weapon when it heats up from firing.
34. Place a plastic cover over the PRC-25 to keep it dry in the rainy season.
35. When using a wire tap device, never place the batteries in the set until needed. If the batteries are carried in the device they will lose power even if the switches are in the off position.
36. If batteries go dead or weak do not throw them away while on patrol. Small batteries can be recharged by placing them in arm pits or between the legs of the body. A larger battery can gain added life by sleeping with the battery next to the body. Additional life can also be gained by placing batteries in the sun.
37. If possible, carry an extra hand set for the PRC-25 and ensure that it is wrapped in a waterproof container.
38. Always carry a spare PRC-25 battery, but do not remove the spare from it’s plastic container prior to use or it may lose power.
39. Do not send “same” or “no change” when reporting team location. Always send your coordinates. Keep radio traffic to a minimum.
40. Avoid over confidence, it leads to carelessness. Just because you have seen no sigh of the enemy for 3 or 4 days does not mean that he isn’t there or hasn’t seen you.
41. A large percentage of patrols have been compromised due to poor noise discipline.
42. Correct all team and / or individual errors as they occur or happen.
43. All personnel should camouflage faces and back of ands in the morning, at noon, and at the RON or ambush site.
44. Never cook or build heating fires on patrol. No more than two persons should eat chow at the same time. The rest of the team should be on security.
45. When team stops always check out 40-60 meters from the perimeter.