Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
Encyclopedia
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
(BfSB)
that blends ground Cavalry
troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance
(LRS)
Airborne
Infantry
Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
(R&S
's) consisting of a Headquarters Troop, (Company C) Long Range Surveillance
(LRS)
unit (Airborne
Infantry
Company) for strategic level Long Range Reconnaissance
and Surveillance
missions (The backbone of the R&S and The BfSB), two ground (Troops A and B) Cavalry
Troops for basic tactical Reconnaissance
taskings and the Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
R&S
's mounted Quick Reaction Force
(QRF)
and Ready Reaction Force
(RRF)
Security Force (SECFOR) and one line Infantry
Company responsible for the Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
R&S
's Base Security Force (SECFOR) and dismounted Quick Reaction Force
(QRF)
and Ready Reaction Force
(RRF)
Security Force (SECFOR).
By Henry Cuningham
Lt. Col.
James Gaylord and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Dostie present the company guidon at the 38th Cavalry Regiment’s activation ceremony Thursday. Fort Bragg’s newest unit unfurled its flag Thursday. The activation of the 1st Squadron of the 38th Cavalry Regiment added about 300 Soldiers to Fort Bragg. They included Staff Sgt
. Roch Schenk, who sat on horseback in an Army uniform from the Indian wars of the late 1800s on the parade field. Squadron
officers
wore black Stetson
hats at the ceremony in honor of their horse cavalry
heritage. Each troop
stood in formation with its red-and-white cavalry
guidon. “Based on lessons learned from combat operations in Iraq
and Afghanistan
, the Army
leaders saw a need for a very special unit,” Col
. Joe Cox said. Cox is commander of the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, the host for the ceremony and the squadron
’s parent organization. The parade field is in the brigade
area at Jackson and Letterman streets. The squadron
is designed to conduct Reconnaissance
and Surveillance
operations for division
s, corps
and joint task force
s, Cox said. The commander
s of those large units have a “near-insatiable appetite for persistent Surveillance
during the day and night, in all weather conditions,” he said. “Army
architects developed a blueprint for a multifunctional organization that blends ground cavalry
troops with a Long Range Surveillance
company, which is Airborne
,” Cox said. The Long Range Surveillance
company’s Soldiers stood in the formation wearing the elite Maroon Beret
of Airborne Soldier
s. Other Soldierss wore the Army
’s standard black beret
. The newly activated unit is the Army’s first Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
R&S
within the newly formed Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
(BfSB)
s, Cox said. “Scouts
, Sniper
s, Paratrooper
s, artillerymen, tactical air controllers, combat medics, coupled with communications and intelligence
personnel, can just about accomplish any mission,” Cox said. The squadron
soon will add unmanned aerial vehicles, Cox said. The commander
is Lt. Col.
Jim Gaylord, who graduated from West Point in 1992 and was commissioned as an armor officer
. Earlier this month, he made his first parachute
jump in more than 17 years, Cox said. “So he is no longer referred to as the item attached to the back of a chicken, that being a dirty, nasty leg,” Cox said. “Leg
” is a disparaging term used by some Paratrooper
s for non-airborne personnel. “Although we are activating a new unit, we have a wealth of experience in the ranks,” Gaylord said. Of the squadron
's Soldiers, 128 have been deployed and served a combined 1,560 months in combat zone
s, he said. Four have Purple Heart
s for combat
wounds, and four have valor
awards. “I’d also like to point out we have at least one cavalryman who can ride a horse,” Gaylord said. Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Dostie, who was trained as a cavalry scout
, is the senior noncommissioned officer. He was a Sheridan tank gunner in the 194th Separate Armored Brigade at Fort Knox
, Ky
. The 282nd Army Band from Fort Jackson, SC
, played “Gary Owen,” a traditional cavalry
tune, as the Soldier
s marched off the parade field.
Military editor Henry Cuningham can be reached at cuninghamh@fayobserver.com.
.
The changes made were all part of an Army-wide transition to the Army Modular Force, future-concept ("Grow The Army Plan" of modernization) proposed by US Army Chief of Staff General Peter Schoomaker
in 2007. The plan calls for ten Surveillance Brigades, three of which are active units: the 504th BfSB
at Fort Hood, Texas; the 525th BfSB at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and the 201st BfSB
at Fort Lewis, Washington. The planned fourth active BfSB to have been stationed at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, had its activation cancelled. The remaining seven BfSB's are designated to the Army National Guard: the 58th BfSB from Maryland
, the 67th BFSB
from Nebraska
, the 71st BfSB from Texas, the 142nd BfSB from Alabama
, the 219th BfSB
from Indiana
, the 297th BfSB from Alaska
, and the 560th BfSB from Georgia
, all of which are moving to the objective designs by the scheduled completion of the Grow The Army Plan by fiscal year 2013.
unit (Elite (Airborne
Infantry
"Recon
" Company) are not to be confused with the new Army concept of Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) units (a non-Airborne capable Cavalry basic tactical Reconnaissance
unit). RSTA's are a part of the Army-wide transfer to Brigade Combat Team
s, all combat divisions and separate brigades are transitioning to the RSTA format, The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
(BfSB)
that blends ground Cavalry
troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance
(LRS)
Airborne
Infantry
Company for the purpose of executing strategic level Long Range Surveillance
missions deep within enemy lines.
RSTA units are not Airborne
capable, whereas all LRS
units are (exceptions being the RSTA squadron of the 4th BCT (Abn)
, 25th Infantry Division; the 173rd Airborne BCT
; and the four in the 82nd Airborne Division).
By doctrine, RSTA units do not require their leadership positions to be filled by Ranger
qualified officers and NCOs
as LRSU units do in addition to many more specialized skill qualifications through extensive training.
and most leadership positions are filled by Ranger qualified officers and NCOs. LRS leaders typically undergo the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course
(RSLC) at Fort Benning
, where they learn long range land navigation, communications, intelligence, vehicle identification, survival, and operational techniques.
LRS troopers are often graduates of other specialized schools including: the U.S. Army Sniper School, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course (SOITC), US Army Ranger School
, Waterborne Infiltration Course (WIC), Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course, HALO, Reconnaissance Surveillance Leaders Course RSLC (Formerly desiganted as the Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course (LRSLC), Pathfinder
, Air Assault School
, Jumpmaster
, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE). Long Range Surveillance Combat Medics, similar to the 75th Ranger Regiment are required to graduate the Special Operations Medicine Course and many US Army LRS Troopers attend the International Special Training Center (ISTC)'s, The ISTC trains NATO Special Operations Forces, and similar type units, in advanced individual Patrolling, Battlefield Medicine, Close Quarter Battle, Sniper
, Survival, Planning, and Recognition Skills. It was established in 1979, and first called the International Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol School (ILRRPS) formerly located in Weingarten, Germany and later move to Pfullendorf, Germany.
US Army LRS-Us conduct training exercises and exchange programs with various US allies. In recent years these exercises have included deployments to England, Germany, France, Hungary, and Italy. Joint training exercises have involved units from British TA SAS
, France's 13 RDP, Belgium's ESR
, Italy's 9 Para Assault Regiment and Germany's Fernspählehrkompanie 200 |Long Range Scout Companies or FSLK200. (roughly translated: Surveillance
and Reconnaissance
Instruction Company 200)
(BfSB)
and it's subordinate unit, The US Army's Long Range Surveillance
(LRS)
Wiki page for additional in-depth information.
Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade that blends ground Cavalry troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance Airborne Infantry Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.The Reconnaissance &...
is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
Throughout the history of warfare, soldiers have needed to know who and where the enemy is. In order to address that need in the context of the 21st century threat, the army has planned for the creation and transformation of nine units, in 2007 to the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade format...
(BfSB)
Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
Throughout the history of warfare, soldiers have needed to know who and where the enemy is. In order to address that need in the context of the 21st century threat, the army has planned for the creation and transformation of nine units, in 2007 to the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade format...
that blends ground Cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
(LRS)
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
Airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade that blends ground Cavalry troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance Airborne Infantry Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.The Reconnaissance &...
(R&S
Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade that blends ground Cavalry troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance Airborne Infantry Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.The Reconnaissance &...
's) consisting of a Headquarters Troop, (Company C) Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
(LRS)
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
unit (Airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
Company) for strategic level Long Range Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
and Surveillance
Special reconnaissance
Special reconnaissance is conducted by small units of highly trained military personnel, usually from special forces units or military intelligence organisations, who operate behind enemy lines, avoiding direct combat and detection by the enemy. As a role, SR is distinct from commando operations,...
missions (The backbone of the R&S and The BfSB), two ground (Troops A and B) Cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
Troops for basic tactical Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
taskings and the Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade that blends ground Cavalry troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance Airborne Infantry Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.The Reconnaissance &...
R&S
Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade that blends ground Cavalry troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance Airborne Infantry Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.The Reconnaissance &...
's mounted Quick Reaction Force
Quick reaction force
Quick Reaction Force or is a military unit, generally platoon-sized in the United States Marine Corps, that is capable of rapid response to developing situations. They are to have equipment ready, to respond to any type of emergency, typically within ten minutes or less, although this is based on...
(QRF)
Quick reaction force
Quick Reaction Force or is a military unit, generally platoon-sized in the United States Marine Corps, that is capable of rapid response to developing situations. They are to have equipment ready, to respond to any type of emergency, typically within ten minutes or less, although this is based on...
and Ready Reaction Force
Ready Reaction Force
-Combat Theater Base Ready Reaction Force:The Ready Reaction Force is the first response to the military's Quick Reaction Force RRF, generally Platoon-sized unit in the US Army, designed and capable of rapid response to situations that develop in a very short time frame...
(RRF)
Ready Reaction Force
-Combat Theater Base Ready Reaction Force:The Ready Reaction Force is the first response to the military's Quick Reaction Force RRF, generally Platoon-sized unit in the US Army, designed and capable of rapid response to situations that develop in a very short time frame...
Security Force (SECFOR) and one line Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
Company responsible for the Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade that blends ground Cavalry troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance Airborne Infantry Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.The Reconnaissance &...
R&S
Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade that blends ground Cavalry troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance Airborne Infantry Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.The Reconnaissance &...
's Base Security Force (SECFOR) and dismounted Quick Reaction Force
Quick reaction force
Quick Reaction Force or is a military unit, generally platoon-sized in the United States Marine Corps, that is capable of rapid response to developing situations. They are to have equipment ready, to respond to any type of emergency, typically within ten minutes or less, although this is based on...
(QRF)
Quick reaction force
Quick Reaction Force or is a military unit, generally platoon-sized in the United States Marine Corps, that is capable of rapid response to developing situations. They are to have equipment ready, to respond to any type of emergency, typically within ten minutes or less, although this is based on...
and Ready Reaction Force
Ready Reaction Force
-Combat Theater Base Ready Reaction Force:The Ready Reaction Force is the first response to the military's Quick Reaction Force RRF, generally Platoon-sized unit in the US Army, designed and capable of rapid response to situations that develop in a very short time frame...
(RRF)
Ready Reaction Force
-Combat Theater Base Ready Reaction Force:The Ready Reaction Force is the first response to the military's Quick Reaction Force RRF, generally Platoon-sized unit in the US Army, designed and capable of rapid response to situations that develop in a very short time frame...
Security Force (SECFOR).
Published Editorial / Article
RECON UNIT HONORS ITS ROOTSBy Henry Cuningham
Lt. Col.
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
James Gaylord and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Dostie present the company guidon at the 38th Cavalry Regiment’s activation ceremony Thursday. Fort Bragg’s newest unit unfurled its flag Thursday. The activation of the 1st Squadron of the 38th Cavalry Regiment added about 300 Soldiers to Fort Bragg. They included Staff Sgt
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
. Roch Schenk, who sat on horseback in an Army uniform from the Indian wars of the late 1800s on the parade field. Squadron
Squadron
Squadron has different meanings:*Squadron , a cavalry or other unit that consists of a number of troops.*Squadron , a unit of aircraft that consists of three or four "flights", with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, depending on aircraft type and air force.*Squadron , a unit of 3-4 major naval vessels...
officers
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
wore black Stetson
Stetson
Stetsons are the brand of hat manufactured by the John B. Stetson Company of St. Joseph, Missouri.Stetson eventually became the world’s largest hat maker, producing over 3.3 million hats a year in a factory spread over . Today Stetson remains a family-owned concern...
hats at the ceremony in honor of their horse cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
heritage. Each troop
Troop
A troop is a military unit, originally a small force of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron and headed by the troop leader. In many armies a troop is the equivalent unit to the infantry section or platoon...
stood in formation with its red-and-white cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
guidon. “Based on lessons learned from combat operations in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, the Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
leaders saw a need for a very special unit,” Col
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
. Joe Cox said. Cox is commander of the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, the host for the ceremony and the squadron
Squadron
Squadron has different meanings:*Squadron , a cavalry or other unit that consists of a number of troops.*Squadron , a unit of aircraft that consists of three or four "flights", with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, depending on aircraft type and air force.*Squadron , a unit of 3-4 major naval vessels...
’s parent organization. The parade field is in the brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
area at Jackson and Letterman streets. The squadron
Squadron
Squadron has different meanings:*Squadron , a cavalry or other unit that consists of a number of troops.*Squadron , a unit of aircraft that consists of three or four "flights", with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, depending on aircraft type and air force.*Squadron , a unit of 3-4 major naval vessels...
is designed to conduct Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
and Surveillance
Special reconnaissance
Special reconnaissance is conducted by small units of highly trained military personnel, usually from special forces units or military intelligence organisations, who operate behind enemy lines, avoiding direct combat and detection by the enemy. As a role, SR is distinct from commando operations,...
operations for division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
s, corps
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
and joint task force
Joint Task Force
Joint Task Force is a PC real-time tactics game where players command military forces in combat situations based on modern day conflicts.The game includes officially licensed vehicles and weapons systems from major defense contractors including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Northrop...
s, Cox said. The commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
s of those large units have a “near-insatiable appetite for persistent Surveillance
Special reconnaissance
Special reconnaissance is conducted by small units of highly trained military personnel, usually from special forces units or military intelligence organisations, who operate behind enemy lines, avoiding direct combat and detection by the enemy. As a role, SR is distinct from commando operations,...
during the day and night, in all weather conditions,” he said. “Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
architects developed a blueprint for a multifunctional organization that blends ground cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
troops with a Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
company, which is Airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
,” Cox said. The Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
company’s Soldiers stood in the formation wearing the elite Maroon Beret
Maroon beret
The maroon beret is a military beret and has been an international symbol of elite airborne forces since it was chosen for British airborne forces in World War II. This distinctive head dress was officially introduced in 1942, at the direction of General Frederick Browning, commander of the British...
of Airborne Soldier
Paratrooper
Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
s. Other Soldierss wore the Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
’s standard black beret
Black beret
The black beret is a type of headgear commonly worn by armoured forces around the world including the British Army's Royal Tank Regiment , The Canadian Forces's Royal Canadian Armoured Corps , and The Australian Army's Royal Australian Armoured Corps among others...
. The newly activated unit is the Army’s first Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade that blends ground Cavalry troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance Airborne Infantry Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.The Reconnaissance &...
R&S
Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade that blends ground Cavalry troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance Airborne Infantry Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.The Reconnaissance &...
within the newly formed Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
Throughout the history of warfare, soldiers have needed to know who and where the enemy is. In order to address that need in the context of the 21st century threat, the army has planned for the creation and transformation of nine units, in 2007 to the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade format...
(BfSB)
Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
Throughout the history of warfare, soldiers have needed to know who and where the enemy is. In order to address that need in the context of the 21st century threat, the army has planned for the creation and transformation of nine units, in 2007 to the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade format...
s, Cox said. “Scouts
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
, Sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
s, Paratrooper
Paratrooper
Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
s, artillerymen, tactical air controllers, combat medics, coupled with communications and intelligence
Intelligence
Intelligence has been defined in different ways, including the abilities for abstract thought, understanding, communication, reasoning, learning, planning, emotional intelligence and problem solving....
personnel, can just about accomplish any mission,” Cox said. The squadron
Squadron
Squadron has different meanings:*Squadron , a cavalry or other unit that consists of a number of troops.*Squadron , a unit of aircraft that consists of three or four "flights", with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, depending on aircraft type and air force.*Squadron , a unit of 3-4 major naval vessels...
soon will add unmanned aerial vehicles, Cox said. The commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
is Lt. Col.
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Jim Gaylord, who graduated from West Point in 1992 and was commissioned as an armor officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
. Earlier this month, he made his first parachute
Parachute
A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag, or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift. Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong cloth, originally silk, now most commonly nylon...
jump in more than 17 years, Cox said. “So he is no longer referred to as the item attached to the back of a chicken, that being a dirty, nasty leg,” Cox said. “Leg
Leg
Łęg may refer to the following places in Poland:*A former name for the town of Ełk *Part of the Czyżyny district of Kraków*Łęg, Pleszew County in Greater Poland Voivodeship...
” is a disparaging term used by some Paratrooper
Paratrooper
Paratroopers are soldiers trained in parachuting and generally operate as part of an airborne force.Paratroopers are used for tactical advantage as they can be inserted into the battlefield from the air, thereby allowing them to be positioned in areas not accessible by land...
s for non-airborne personnel. “Although we are activating a new unit, we have a wealth of experience in the ranks,” Gaylord said. Of the squadron
Squadron
Squadron has different meanings:*Squadron , a cavalry or other unit that consists of a number of troops.*Squadron , a unit of aircraft that consists of three or four "flights", with a total of 12 to 24 aircraft, depending on aircraft type and air force.*Squadron , a unit of 3-4 major naval vessels...
's Soldiers, 128 have been deployed and served a combined 1,560 months in combat zone
Combat Zone
Combat Zone was a music video program on Canadian music tv station MuchMusic. The show involved two popular music videos playing the roles of the combatants. During the hour-long program, viewers could either call in or text-message their votes for one of the two competing songs...
s, he said. Four have Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
s for combat
Combat
Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed....
wounds, and four have valor
Courage
Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation...
awards. “I’d also like to point out we have at least one cavalryman who can ride a horse,” Gaylord said. Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Dostie, who was trained as a cavalry scout
Cavalry Scout
The Cavalry Scout is a job title and a reconnaissance specialist in the United States Army. Cavalry Scouts work to obtain, distribute and share vital combat and battlefield information on the enemy and on combat circumstances and environmental conditions. The role originated with the United States...
, is the senior noncommissioned officer. He was a Sheridan tank gunner in the 194th Separate Armored Brigade at Fort Knox
Fort Knox
Fort Knox is a United States Army post in Kentucky south of Louisville and north of Elizabethtown. The base covers parts of Bullitt, Hardin, and Meade counties. It currently holds the Army Human Resources Center of Excellence to include the Army Human Resources Command, United States Army Cadet...
, Ky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. The 282nd Army Band from Fort Jackson, SC
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, played “Gary Owen,” a traditional cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
tune, as the Soldier
Soldier
A soldier is a member of the land component of national armed forces; whereas a soldier hired for service in a foreign army would be termed a mercenary...
s marched off the parade field.
Military editor Henry Cuningham can be reached at cuninghamh@fayobserver.com.
Transformation
Former units consisted of one active component and two inactive detachments, there are now both Active-duty and National Guard Surveillance Brigades, each having a specific Table of Organization and EquipmentTable of Organization and Equipment
A table of organization and equipment is a document published by the U.S. Department of Defense which prescribes the organization, staffing, and equippage of units. Also used in acronyms as 'T/O' and 'T/E'....
.
The changes made were all part of an Army-wide transition to the Army Modular Force, future-concept ("Grow The Army Plan" of modernization) proposed by US Army Chief of Staff General Peter Schoomaker
Peter Schoomaker
Peter Jan Schoomaker is a retired four-star general of the United States Army and served as the 35th Chief of Staff of the United States Army from August 1, 2003 to April 10, 2007. Schoomaker's appointment as Chief of Staff was unique in that he was recalled and came out from retirement to assume...
in 2007. The plan calls for ten Surveillance Brigades, three of which are active units: the 504th BfSB
504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
The 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade is located at Fort Hood, Texas. The 504th BfSB was transformed from the 504th Military Intelligence Brigade in November 2008 becoming one of three active duty Surveillance Brigade of the United States Army...
at Fort Hood, Texas; the 525th BfSB at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and the 201st BfSB
201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
The 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade is located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The 201st BfSB was transformed from the 201st Military Intelligence Brigade on 3 July 2008, becoming the Army's third active duty Surveillance Brigade...
at Fort Lewis, Washington. The planned fourth active BfSB to have been stationed at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, had its activation cancelled. The remaining seven BfSB's are designated to the Army National Guard: the 58th BfSB from Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, the 67th BFSB
67th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
The 67th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade is a battlefield surveillance brigade of the Nebraska Army National Guard. It derives its lineage from the 67th Infantry Brigade , previously a component of the 35th Infantry Division...
from Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, the 71st BfSB from Texas, the 142nd BfSB from Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, the 219th BfSB
219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
The 219th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade is a Battlefield Surveillance Brigade in the US Army National Guard. It is part of the Indiana Army National Guard...
from Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, the 297th BfSB from Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, and the 560th BfSB from Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, all of which are moving to the objective designs by the scheduled completion of the Grow The Army Plan by fiscal year 2013.
Contrast with Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition units
The BfSB's R&S Squadron and specifically it's LRSLong Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
unit (Elite (Airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
"Recon
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
" Company) are not to be confused with the new Army concept of Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) units (a non-Airborne capable Cavalry basic tactical Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
unit). RSTA's are a part of the Army-wide transfer to Brigade Combat Team
Brigade combat team
The brigade combat team is the basic deployable unit of maneuver in the US Army. A brigade combat team consists of one combat arms branch maneuver brigade, and its attached support and fire units. A brigade combat team is generally commanded by a colonel , but in rare instances it is commanded by...
s, all combat divisions and separate brigades are transitioning to the RSTA format, The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron
The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade that blends ground Cavalry troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance Airborne Infantry Company continuing the [US Army]'s march toward a modular force.The Reconnaissance &...
is a specialized unit within the US Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
Throughout the history of warfare, soldiers have needed to know who and where the enemy is. In order to address that need in the context of the 21st century threat, the army has planned for the creation and transformation of nine units, in 2007 to the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade format...
(BfSB)
Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
Throughout the history of warfare, soldiers have needed to know who and where the enemy is. In order to address that need in the context of the 21st century threat, the army has planned for the creation and transformation of nine units, in 2007 to the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade format...
that blends ground Cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
troops with an Elite Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
(LRS)
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
Airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
Company for the purpose of executing strategic level Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
missions deep within enemy lines.
RSTA units are not Airborne
Airborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
capable, whereas all LRS
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
units are (exceptions being the RSTA squadron of the 4th BCT (Abn)
4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (United States)
The 4th Brigade Combat Team , 25th Infantry Division is an airborne infantry brigade combat team of the United States Army. The unit is stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska and is the only airborne brigade combat team in the Pacific Theater...
, 25th Infantry Division; the 173rd Airborne BCT
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
The 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team is an airborne infantry brigade combat team of the United States Army based in Vicenza, Italy...
; and the four in the 82nd Airborne Division).
By doctrine, RSTA units do not require their leadership positions to be filled by Ranger
United States Army Rangers
United States Army Rangers are elite members of the United States Army. Rangers have served in recognized U.S. Army Ranger units or have graduated from the U.S. Army's Ranger School...
qualified officers and NCOs
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
as LRSU units do in addition to many more specialized skill qualifications through extensive training.
Training
LRSUs are Airborne ForcesAirborne forces
Airborne forces are military units, usually light infantry, set up to be moved by aircraft and 'dropped' into battle. Thus they can be placed behind enemy lines, and have an ability to deploy almost anywhere with little warning...
and most leadership positions are filled by Ranger qualified officers and NCOs. LRS leaders typically undergo the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course
United States Army Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course
United States Army Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course is an elite five week school offered by 4th Ranger Training Battalion to soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen to train them to expert levels in reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, battle damage assessment, foreign...
(RSLC) at Fort Benning
Fort Benning
Fort Benning is a United States Army post located southeast of the city of Columbus in Muscogee and Chattahoochee counties in Georgia and Russell County, Alabama...
, where they learn long range land navigation, communications, intelligence, vehicle identification, survival, and operational techniques.
LRS troopers are often graduates of other specialized schools including: the U.S. Army Sniper School, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course (SOITC), US Army Ranger School
Ranger School
The United States Army Ranger School is an intense 61-day combat leadership course oriented towards small-unit tactics. It has been called the "toughest combat course in the world" and "is the most physically and mentally demanding leadership school the Army has to offer". The course is conducted...
, Waterborne Infiltration Course (WIC), Special Forces Combat Diver Qualification Course, HALO, Reconnaissance Surveillance Leaders Course RSLC (Formerly desiganted as the Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course (LRSLC), Pathfinder
Pathfinder Badge (United States)
The Pathfinder Badge is a military badge of the United States Army awarded to soldiers who successfully complete the U.S. Army Pathfinder School at Fort Benning, Georgia...
, Air Assault School
United States Army Air Assault School
The Sabalauski Air Assault School is a FORSCOM TDA unit located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Its primary task is training leaders and soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division , other US Army units and US armed services in several courses annually.- Background :Air Assault School qualifies...
, Jumpmaster
Jumpmaster
Jumpmasters are the expert Paratroopers in an Airborne unit who train and teach the military techniques for jumping from airplanes. They are responsible for transforming Soldiers who enter Army Airborne School into Paratroopers and managing Airborne jump operations in Airborne units across all...
, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE). Long Range Surveillance Combat Medics, similar to the 75th Ranger Regiment are required to graduate the Special Operations Medicine Course and many US Army LRS Troopers attend the International Special Training Center (ISTC)'s, The ISTC trains NATO Special Operations Forces, and similar type units, in advanced individual Patrolling, Battlefield Medicine, Close Quarter Battle, Sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
, Survival, Planning, and Recognition Skills. It was established in 1979, and first called the International Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol School (ILRRPS) formerly located in Weingarten, Germany and later move to Pfullendorf, Germany.
US Army LRS-Us conduct training exercises and exchange programs with various US allies. In recent years these exercises have included deployments to England, Germany, France, Hungary, and Italy. Joint training exercises have involved units from British TA SAS
Special Air Service
Special Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
, France's 13 RDP, Belgium's ESR
ESR
ESR may refer to:Technology:* Electro Slag Remelting* Electronic Staff Record, a human resources and payroll system of the UK National Health Service...
, Italy's 9 Para Assault Regiment and Germany's Fernspählehrkompanie 200 |Long Range Scout Companies or FSLK200. (roughly translated: Surveillance
Special reconnaissance
Special reconnaissance is conducted by small units of highly trained military personnel, usually from special forces units or military intelligence organisations, who operate behind enemy lines, avoiding direct combat and detection by the enemy. As a role, SR is distinct from commando operations,...
and Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
Instruction Company 200)
Related Information
See also the R&S's parent unit's Wiki page, The Battlefield Surveillance BrigadeBattlefield Surveillance Brigade
Throughout the history of warfare, soldiers have needed to know who and where the enemy is. In order to address that need in the context of the 21st century threat, the army has planned for the creation and transformation of nine units, in 2007 to the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade format...
(BfSB)
Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
Throughout the history of warfare, soldiers have needed to know who and where the enemy is. In order to address that need in the context of the 21st century threat, the army has planned for the creation and transformation of nine units, in 2007 to the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade format...
and it's subordinate unit, The US Army's Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
(LRS)
Long Range Surveillance
Long Range Surveillance units are specially trained elite Surveillance units of the United States Army that are employed by Military Intelligence Units for gathering information from deep within hostile territories....
Wiki page for additional in-depth information.