Part of a series on |
War (outline) |
---|
Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition (RSTA) squadrons are a type of unit in the United States Army. These are cavalry squadrons (though in IBCTs they typically contain at least one dismounted infantry troop), [1] [2] and act at the squadron (battalion) level as a reconnaissance unit for their parent brigade combat teams. These RSTA squadrons continue on the Recondo legacy of the Vietnam era Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP), [3] however, compared to the LRRPs they are often assigned additional non-reconnaissance responsibilities such as battlespace ownership. [4]
Additionally, RSTA is a doctrine that groups the tasks of reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition conducted by the Department of Defense (United States). RSTA supports military operations at a strategic (national defense policy), operational (theater level), or tactical (individual unit) level, either by dedicated RSTA forces or those which possess the capability. [5]
As part of its modernization and reorganization plan, the US Army has transitioned to the use of a modular brigade combat team (BCT) scheme. For each of its three main types of BCTs, whether an infantry brigade combat team (IBCT), armored brigade combat team (ABCT), or Stryker brigade combat team (SBCT), there is a reconnaissance squadron which is tasked with performing reconnaissance and security missions for the BCT. [6] Related to these units were reconnaissance and surveillance squadrons, which operated as part of battlefield surveillance brigades; however since 2015 all BfSBs have been converted into expeditionary military intelligence brigades or inactivated.
The primary task of the RSTA squadron is to carry out reconnaissance and security missions for its parent BCT or for higher commands, whether as part of offensive or defensive operations. Reconnaissance missions can include area, route, zone, and reconnaissance-in-force. Security missions can include screening (whether stationary or mobile), guard, cover, area security and local security. When necessary, the squadron can be augmented with additional forces to help in carrying out its missions. [6]
The ABCT cavalry squadron is composed of a headquarters troop, two cavalry troops (transitioning to three cavalry troops), an armored company, and a forward support company attached from the brigade support battalion. [7]
The ABCT Cavalry squadron can fight against comparable armor forces, including tanks and other armored fighting vehicles, in order to conduct its missions. However it has significant logistical and maintenance requirements and the use of different vehicle types creates a mix in survivability between platforms. The limited number of scout platoons reduces the size of the area the troop can operate in. [7]
The IBCT cavalry squadron includes a headquarters troop, two mounted cavalry troops, and a dismounted reconnaissance troop. A forward support company will also be attached from the brigade support battalion for sustainment purposes. [7] In squadrons supporting an airborne brigade combat team, 100% of the RSTA soldiers are qualified paratroopers.
The IBCT Cavalry squadron is able to support its parent unit through the combination of the firepower and mobility offered by its mounted forces and the ability to operate in complex and difficult terrain with its dismounted forces. [10] However the mix of mounted and dismounted troops creates a mismatch in maneuvering ability [10] and may require augmentation with additional transportation resources. [7]
In 2024, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) began prototype testing of the mobile brigade combat team (MBCT) concept; [11] in which the RSTA squadron's dismounted reconnaissance troop was reflagged as a Multifunctional Reconnaissance Company (MFRC). [12] [11] [13] In comparison to the DRT, the MFRC has fewer snipers but more UAS and cUAS assets, as well as an organic air-defense capability in the form of a Stinger team. [13]
The SBCT cavalry squadron includes a headquarters troop and three cavalry troops, along with a forward support company attached from the brigade support battalion. [7]
The SBCT cavalry squadron can cover a large area thanks to its three cavalry troops equipped with extremely mobile Stryker vehicles. The squadron is limited though in its ability to conduct dismounted reconnaissance or engage enemy armor units. The four-vehicle cavalry troops also face additional risks during route reconnaissance as individual Strykers are forced to reconnoiter lateral routes and terrain adjacent to the route. [7]
RSTA line troops are a mix of 19D (cavalry scout) and 11B (Infantryman) MOS's, which serve as scouts and snipers. Also included are 11C (Indirect Fire Infantryman), which operate a 60 mm M224 Mortar Section, as well as various intelligence and communications soldiers. The dismounted reconnaissance troops consist of 11Bs in the scout platoons and sniper section; 11Cs in the mortar section; and 11Bs, 25Cs (Radio Operator-Maintainers), 74Ds (CBRN Specialists), and 92Ys (Supply Specialists) in the headquarters section, led by 11A officers and an 11Z 1SG. [2] Common training pipelines include the Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leaders Course (RSLC), [15] [16] Cavalry Leader's Course, [17] sniper school, [2] Ranger school, pathfinder school, [1] and in applicable IBCTs, air assault school and airborne school. [2]
According to JP 3-55, RSTA operations are concerned not only with the collection of military intelligence, but ensuring that it is accurate, relevant, and distributed in a timely manner to the appropriate user. This includes maintaining operational security (OPSEC) so that critical information cannot be exploited by an opposing force. Likewise, RSTA can play a role in operational deception (OPDEC) operations to confuse opposing forces. [5]
Across the strategic, operational and tactical level, RSTA operations fall within three areas:
Indications and warnings (I&W) are "intelligence activities intended to detect and report time-sensitive intelligence information on foreign developments that could involve a threat to the United States or allied and/or coalition military, political, or economic interests or to US citizens abroad." On a strategic and operational level, RSTA operations may provide continuous surveillance or as-required reconnaissance, in order to provide warnings of impending threats or attacks, as well as to monitor compliance with international agreements. [5]
Strategically, RSTA planning and employment operations are used to support the planning of military operations, by monitoring foreign nations' centers of warmaking capability, and providing information on enemy system capabilities, locations, and installations for the National Target Base and other target lists. This information is used to assist in formulation of the U.S. military's Single Integrated Operational Plan, Limited Attack Option plan, Unified Command Plan, and Joint Strategic Capabilities Plans. [5]
Operationally, RSTA operations are similar to both the strategic and tactical levels, in that they provide commanders with data on areas such as environment, organization, infrastructure, and enemy forces to assist in planning theater wide operations. [5]
Tactically, RSTA operations provide detailed information about enemy orders of battle, movement plans, offensive and defensive capabilities, terrain, and enemy disposition. RSTA units provide target detection and acquisition ( and in some cases, elimination), and real-time intelligence and surveillance. [5]
At all three levels of command, RSTA units provide combat assessment before, during and after military operations. This includes tasks such as bomb damage assessment or determining if an OPDEC mission has succeeded. RSTA assessment can help to decide if a military operation was successful in achieving its objectives, whether additional resources need to be directed to complete the objectives or if they can be redirected to another operation. [5]
The 2nd Cavalry Regiment, also known as the Second Dragoons, is an active Stryker infantry and cavalry regiment of the United States Army. The Second Cavalry Regiment is a unit of the United States Army Europe and Africa, with its garrison at the Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany. It can trace its lineage back to the early part of the 19th century.
Long-range surveillance (LRS) teams were elite, specially-trained surveillance units of the United States Army employed for clandestine operation by Military Intelligence for gathering direct human intelligence information deep within enemy territory. Classic LRS employment is to infiltrate deep into enemy territory, construct hide and surveillance sites, and provide continuous surveillance/special reconnaissance of an intelligence target of key interest.
The United States Cavalry, or U.S. Cavalry, was the designation of the mounted force of the United States Army. The United States Cavalry was formally created by an act of Congress on 3 August 1861 and ceased as a distinct Army branch in 1942. The name "cavalry" continues to be used as a designation for various specific United States Army formations and functions.
The brigade combat team (BCT) is the basic deployable unit of maneuver in the U.S. Army. A brigade combat team consists of one combat arms branch maneuver brigade, and its assigned support and fire units. A brigade is normally commanded by a colonel (O-6) although in some cases a brigadier general (O-7) may assume command. A brigade combat team contains combat support and combat service support units necessary to sustain its operations. BCTs contain organic artillery training and support, received from the parent division artillery (DIVARTY). There are three types of brigade combat teams: infantry, Stryker, and armored.
The 9th Cavalry Regiment is a parent cavalry regiment of the United States Army. Historically, it was one of the Army's four segregated African-American regiments and was part of what was known as the Buffalo Soldiers. The regiment saw combat during the Indian and Spanish–American Wars. During Westward Expansion, the regiment provided escort for the early western settlers and maintained peace on the American frontier.
The 199th Infantry Brigade (Light) is a unit of the United States Army which served in the Army Reserve from 1921 to 1940, in the active army from 1966 to 1970 (serving in the Vietnam War), briefly in 1991–1992 at Fort Lewis, and from 2007 as an active army training formation at Fort Moore.
The 14th Cavalry Regiment is a cavalry regiment of the United States Army. It has two squadrons that provide reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition for Stryker brigade combat teams. Constituted in 1901, it has served in conflicts from the Philippine–American War to the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
Cavalry Scout is the job title of someone who has achieved the military occupational specialty of 19D Armored Reconnaissance Specialist in the Combat Arms branch of the United States Army. As with all enlisted soldiers in the United States Cavalry, the person holding the Scout specialization will still be referred to as a "Trooper", the traditional colloquialism denoted in the cavalry's Order of the Spur.
The M1127 reconnaissance vehicle (RV) is a wheeled armored personnel carrier in the Stryker family, developed and produced by General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS-C) and is currently in service with the US Army.
The 82nd Cavalry Regiment is a parent regiment in the United States Army National Guard. It is represented in the Oregon Army National Guard by the 1st Squadron, 82nd Cavalry, part of the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
The 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment is an inactive United States Army cavalry squadron established in 2004. It was the Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition Squadron (RSTA) squadron of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team "Strike" ♥, 101st Airborne Division. It performed reconnaissance and cavalry missions in support of that brigade.
In the United States (US) military, a beret flash is a shield-shaped embroidered cloth that is typically 2.25 in (5.72 cm) tall and 1.875 in (4.76 cm) wide with a semi–circular base that is attached to a stiffener backing of a military beret. These flashes—a British English word for a colorful cloth patch attached to military headgear—are worn over the left eye with the excess cloth of the beret shaped, folded, and pulled over the right ear giving it a distinctive appearance.
The 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment is a reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition squadron of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Georgia Army National Guard. 1st Squadron provides the 48th IBCT both mounted and dismounted reconnaissance capabilities. Prior to 2007, the unit was designated as the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment.
Armoured reconnaissance also Combat reconnaissance vehicle is the combination of terrestrial reconnaissance with armoured warfare by soldiers using tanks and wheeled or tracked armoured reconnaissance vehicles. While the mission of reconnaissance is to gather intelligence about the enemy with the use of reconnaissance vehicles, armoured reconnaissance adds the ability to fight for information, and to have an effect on and to shape the enemy through the performance of traditional armoured tasks.
M1134 anti-tank guided missile vehicle is a U.S. anti-tank missile carrier that is an armored fighting vehicle from the Stryker family of vehicles. As the primary tank destroyer system of the US Army's Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), the M1134 ATGM Vehicle reinforces the SBCT's infantry battalions, reinforces the SBCT reconnaissance squadron and provides long-range direct fire. Models with the double V-hull upgrade are known as the M1253 ATVV.
The 151st Cavalry Regiment was a United States Army cavalry regiment represented in the Arkansas Army National Guard by 1st Squadron, 151st Cavalry Regiment, headquartered in Warren, Arkansas, an element of the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
The 183rd Cavalry Regiment is a cavalry regiment of the United States Army, represented in the Virginia Army National Guard by 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry (2-183). The squadron is the reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition squadron of the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, part of the 29th Infantry Division.
A dismounted reconnaissance troop (DRT) is a reconnaissance unit found within U.S. Army RSTA squadrons that are part of infantry brigade combat teams (IBCTs). While a RSTA squadron serves as the primary reconnaissance element for its parent brigade, the DRT serves as the specialized reconnaissance element for the squadron when conducting clandestine reconnaissance and surveillance. Consisting of about 80 personnel, the DRT is less mobile than traditional cavalry units, however DRTs provide a greater ability to operate within complex and difficult terrain as well as providing close reconnaissance, surveillance, and sniper support in areas inaccessible to the rest of the squadron. The DRTs continue on the Recondo legacy of the Vietnam-era Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP), however, compared to the LRRPs they are often assigned additional non-reconnaissance responsibilities such as battlespace ownership. As of 2024, some DRTs have been converted to Multifunctional Reconnaissance Companies (MFRC), with a greater focus on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and less reliance on snipers.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)The legacy of LRRP units also continues on in the US Army's Long Range Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) squadrons.
{{cite web}}
: |first=
has generic name (help)