Tactical Reconnaissance


Book Description

The book sets forth the role and place of reconnaissance in modern combat; its division into constituent parts; the demands made of it; the goal, missions, and objectives of reconnaissance; and the components of reconnaissance, the men and equipment, and the methods of reconnaissance. The fundamentals of organizing and conducting reconnaissance in the main types of combat are explained. The problems of assembling and processing intelligence information are considered. Reconnaissance is a highly important form of support. It is required to furnish the command element and staff at all levels with the information about the enemy, the terrain, and the area of impending actions that is needed for successfully preparing and conducting combat actions. At the present stage, the Soviet Army and Navy have modern, highly effective reconnaissance equipment with which it is possible to locate enemy objectives (targets) quickly, to identify them correctly, and to determine their location (coordinates) with great accuracy.




Tactical Reconnaissance in the Cold War


Book Description

The little-known stories of the United States Air Force pilots who flew alone and unarmed into enemy territory in a world under threat of nuclear war. Tactical Reconnaissance in the Cold War describes how the United States Air Force tactical reconnaissance units operated from the end of World War II until the 1970s. This was an immensely active period that also included major conflicts in Korea and Vietnam. It was also a period of rapid technological development in aircraft and photographic techniques. This highly-illustrated book includes chapters on: the post-war period in Europe and the East; the Korean Conflict and the role of the 67th TRW from 1950 to 1954; the role of the highly secret RF-86 missions over Red China and the Soviet Far East in the early to mid ’50s; the RB-57A missions out of Bitburg and Yokota flying clandestinely over the Soviet Union and the RF-100A missions that were flown over the Soviet Union from Turkey, Rhine-Main and Yokota; United States Air Forces in Europe; the Cuban Missile Crisis and the role of the RF-101 Voodoos and RB-66s.




Military Reconnaissance


Book Description

This concise history chronicles the role of military recon, from the ancient warfare of Greeks and Romans to the operations of modern scout snipers. Since the earliest recorded military history, scouting and reconnaissance have been key tools for military commanders in order to make tactical decisions. As military strategy, weapons, and equipment developed over the centuries, methods of scouting and reconnaissance evolved as well but were never discarded. This short history paints a revealing picture of the art of military scouting and reconnaissance. From the secret sciritae of the Spartans and the scouts employed by Julius Caesar to the Middle Ages, Napoleonic Wars, and modern era of scout snipers and special forces units, this volume covers the evolution of recon operations across centuries of conflict.




Special Reconnaissance and Advanced Small Unit Patrolling


Book Description

This comprehensive guide by a Special Ops combat veteran is the ultimate reference for military tactics, techniques, and procedures. Intended for military SpecialOps personnel, this volume presents invaluable operational guidance with lessons learned from the legendary Military Assistance Command Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG). Drawing on Special Reconnaissance operations conducted during the Vietnam Era, author Edward Wolcoff provides practical information alongside operational accounts and analyses of specific missions. Wolcoff covers the gamut of specialized SR topics ranging from operational planning and preparation, through execution, logistics and command and control – all in substantial tradecraft detail. Few of the tactics, techniques, and procedures or lessons-learned included in this book have been previously presented in a usable form for SpecOps personnel. This book is intended instruct the Special Operations units of today, and preserve this valuable tradecraft for future generations.







Patton's Eyes in the Sky


Book Description

9 x 12 208 pgs 5 color & 250 b&w photos 30 color artworks index bibliographyThey were the first on D-Day and the last on VE-Day, flying essential, dare-devil, low-level photographic missions over the invasion beaches of Normandy and then in support of the Allied armies as they fought their way through the Ardennes, across the Rhine and into the Reich itself. The 10th Photo Recon Group flew the F-6 Mustang and the F-5 Lightning and for nocturnal missions, the F-3 Havoc. In its ranks were more Aces than any other such group.The extremely low-level missions flown by the 10th PRG over the Normandy beaches in May 1944 and later over the Seine and Moselle rivers areas became known as "Dicing Missions," from the British expression, dicing with death. Over Normandy's beaches they flew at an average altitude of 25 feet, and always during low tide when the broadest area of the beaches could be seen and the maximum number of German obstacles would be exposed to the camera's eye.




Applying the National Training Center Experience


Book Description

"Many observers have noted shortcomings in tactical reconnaissance during battles at the National Training Center. This study systematically examines battle data from two sources: take-home packages prepared for unit remedial training, and field data specifically collected for the present study. The author finds a clear correlation between success in offensive missions and reconnaissance. However, data indicate that essential reconnaissance tasks are accomplished in only half the battles studied. Generally, units do not exploit all the assets potentially available for reconnaissance. Task forces do not seem to give emphasis to the reconnaissance task. Review of doctrinal literature and courses of instruction indicate that added emphasis needs to be placed on reconnaissance in the Army training system. The author makes specific recommendations for changes in doctrine and for additional instruction. He also suggests several equipment changes and additions, as well as courses of action for task force commanders and staffs."--Rand abstracts







Best of Breed


Book Description

This book is about the tactical reconnaissance mark of the Hunter FR10 and its front line operation between 1961-70. With the Hunter already well proven in ground attack role this variant was an ideal platform for the excellent Vinten F95 strip aperture cameras. The heavy armament of four 30-mm Aden cannon was retained for use in defence suppression and target marking, unilateral action against high value targets (assigned or opportunity) and if necessary in self-defence. It follows that the pilots selected for this demanding operating regime had to show an ability to operate alone over long distances using basic pilot navigation techniques only at high speeds and ultra low levels; in the main, therefore, they were second or third tour fast jet pilots.




Tac Recon


Book Description

The author personally interviewed reconnaissance pilots who flew in WWII, Korea, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and Vietnam in order to place the reader into the cockpit.