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ANNEX H (PW Snatch Tips) to Detachment B-52 (Project Delta) Reconnaissance Tips of the Trade.

PW Snatch Tips

1. General: Once your recon team has been selected for a PW snatch mission and given a recon zone the following actions should take be taken in addition to those normally taken for a recon mission.
a. Study the map to find a possible location to conduct your PW snatch within your RZ.
b. Conduct a visual reconnaissance to familiarize yourself with the terrain. Select LZ’s, E&E routes, reference points, record any new trails in RZ and pick tentative PW snatch points.
c. Finalize plans for primary and alternate LZ’s and route of march to and from PW snatch location you selected while on VR. If you have any photos or have taken some during the VR, study them carefully.
d. Assign duties for each patrol member and draw equipment needed both for training and actual preparation.
e. AWPRT-r and AMPRR-9 or HT-1 radios should be taken for “in-position” transmissions and signals.
f. Flight times to and from the target area considering the time recovery aircraft will have to be “on-target” should be remembered by the team leader when he selects the number of personnel and helicopters it will take for insertion and extraction. Plan the altitude of the insertion and extraction LZ’s with the load carrying capacity of the aircraft in mind.

2. Training: Practice rehearsals and put as much realism into your training as possible. If you are going to handcuff, gag and blindfold your prisoner then do it during your training. If you plan to carry your prisoner, don’t carry him just 20 to 30 meters as is commonly done but as far as your proposed LZ.

a. Designate men to accomplish the following missions:
1. Handcuff, blindfold, search and gag prisoner.
2. Treat and bandage prisoner’s wounds.
3. Carry or assist him.
4. Carry his equipment and weapon.
5. Cover the tell tale signs at the ambush site.
6. Take care of friendly WIA’s or MIA’s to include their weapon and equipment.
7. Take point, rear security and who will be alternate in each case.
8. Make security check of the extraction LZ.
9. Stand guard over the prisoner at LZ.
10. To get on board the exfil aircraft first.
11. Lift the prisoner into the aircraft.
12. Secure prisoner to floor of aircraft.
13. Ride out with the prisoner.
14. Bring out prisoner’s equipment.

b. Other actions that need to be practiced, explained and rehearsed are:
1. Action taken by each team member if discovered in snatch position.
2. Movement into position.
3. Signals to be used.
4. Concealment of personnel and equipment.
5. Employment of claymores.
6. Action to be taken if the team’s preparations are not completed in time.
7. Action to be taken if inclement weather moves in preventing any possible extraction attempt.

3. Considerations for selecting the location of the PW SNATCH SITE.
Generally speaking there are three different locations, a road, a trail, a village or living complex.
The advantages and disadvantages are as follows:

a. Location on a road:
1. Advantages:
a. Vehicle and / or troops will pass thus ensuring a possible target.
b. A lone messenger on foot or riding a bicycle is very possible.
c. Personnel moving on a road are not, normally, very familiar with the surrounding terrain or area, hampering their pursuit of the team in case of compromise.
d. Sites can normally be found which offer long stretches of clear visibility.
2. Disadvantages:
a. Large formations of troops use roads and normally sweep possible ambush sites with security elements.
b. Rapid re-enforcement is easily effected.
c. Security elements normally check roads for mines and ambushes each morning and evening.
d. Stationary security elements are normally positioned every two to five kilometers along all roads.
e. Troops and convoys traveling on roads are constantly on the alert for possible ambushes and carry heavy caliber weapons to break them up if they occur.

b. Location on a Trail:
1. Advantages:
a. Not so apt to encounter large numbers of troops.
b. Advantageous snatch sites are more easily located which will permit good concealment, good vision, hamper the effectiveness of enemy counter fire, and still be close enough to the trail to perform the mission in the least time possible.
c. Enemy personnel are not normally as cautious or alert to possible ambushes when moving down a trail.
d. The ambushing element can more rapidly and easily cover up signs that anything happened.
e. Rapid and effective enemy pursuit is not as likely on a road.
2. Disadvantages:
a. More likely to encounter personnel who are familiar with the local area.
b.Dogs, women and children are more likely to be encountered.
c. Pre-planned sites / locations for PW snatches are more difficult to locate.
d. The enemy can jump off a trail and disappear quickly.
e. Normally you are right on a trail before being aware of it’s presence which could allow for discovery of the team by passing enemy personnel.