C. Security. for Stealth and Security in Night Movements Squads and Platoons

c. Security. For stealth and security in night movements squads and platoons—

(1) Enforce strict noise and light discipline

(2) Use radio-listening silence

(3) Use of camouflage

(4) Use of terrain to avoid detection by enemy surveillance or night vision devices

(5) Make frequent listening halts (SLLS)

(6) Mask the sounds of movement with artillery fires

d. Rally Points. Actions to be taken at rally points must be planned in detail. The plan must provide for continuation as long as there is a good chance to accomplish the mission. Some form of communications must be left in the rally point to inform stragglers of how many men linked up and the direction they took. There are two techniques for actions at rally points:

(1) Men available: The assembled members will wait until a set number of men arrive and then go on with the mission under the senior man present. This plan is good for a reconnaissance patrol when two or three men may be able to accomplish the mission.

(2) Time Available: The assembled members wait for a set period of time, after which the senior man present will decide whether to continue the mission, based on troops and equipment present. This may be the plan when a minimum number of men, or certain items of equipment, or both, are needed to accomplish the mission.

e. Actions at halts. During halts, security must be posted and all approaches into the sector will be covered with key weapons.

4-4. DANGER AREAS. A danger area is any place on a unit’s route where the leader’s estimate process tells him his unit may be exposed to enemy observation or fire. Some examples of danger areas are open areas, roads and trails, native villages, enemy positions, and obstacles such as minefields, streams, and wire obstacles. Avoid danger areas whenever possible. If they must be passed or crossed, use great caution.

a. Standards:

(1) The unit prevents the enemy from surprising the main body.

(2) The unit moves all personnel and equipment across the danger area.

(3) The unit prevents decisive engagement by the enemy

b. Fundamentals:

(1) Designate near and far side rally points

(2) Secure near side, left and right flank, and rear security

(3) Recon and secure the far side

(4) Cross the danger area

(5) Plan for fires (when possible)

c. Technique for crossing danger areas:

(1) Linear Danger Area (LDA) for a squad:

(a) STEP 1: The alpha team leader (ATL) observes the linear danger area and sends the hand and arm signal to the SL who determines to bound across.

(b) STEP 2: SL directs the ATL to move his team across the LDA far enough to fit the remainder of the squad on the far side of the LDA. Bravo team moves to the LDA to the right or left to provide an overwatch position prior to A team crossing.

(c) STEP 3: SL receives the hand and arm signal that it is safe to move the rest of the squad across (B team is still providing overwatch).

(d) STEP 4: SL moves himself, RTO and B team across the LDA. (A team provides overwatch for squad missions.)

(e) STEP 5: A team on azimuth at SLs command or hand and arm signal.

Figure 4-3. Linear Danger Area (LDA)

(2) Hasty Linear Danger Area Crossing. The hasty linear danger area technique may be used by small units (squad or platoon sized elements) when enemy contact is not likely and speed of movement is essential. The technique is also referred to as “Scroll to the road.”

(a) Point man reaches LDA and signals “Danger Area” and “Scroll to the road.”

(b) Unit assumes a file formation (if not already in a file formation).

(c) Point man assumes security posture at LDA crossing point, facing to the right (places shoulder patch “scroll” facing the road).

(d) Second man in order of movement, moves forward and takes the point mans security position (i.e. assumes security on the LDA facing to the right).

(e) Point man pivots to face to the left along the LDA, quickly and quietly crossing the LDA. Once across, the point man assumes a security position on the far side facing to the left (again placing the shoulder patch “scroll” to the road).

(f) As each patrol member is replaced, he crosses in the same manner as the point man and relieves the left side security.

(g) As each man is replaced on the far side of the LDA, he moves away from the LDA far enough to accommodate the entire unit.

(h) Once the entire unit is across the LDA, movement resumes.

(3) LDA crossing for a platoon:

(a) The lead squad halts the platoon, and signals danger area.

(b) The platoon leader moves forward to the lead squad to confirm the danger area and decides if current location is a suitable crossing site.

(d) On the platoon leader’s signal, the A team of the lead squad establishes an overwatch position to the left of the crossing site. Prior to crossing, the compassman with the lead two squads confirm azimuth and pace data.

(e) B team of the lead squad establishes an overwatch position to the right of the crossing site.

(f) Once overwatch positions are established, the platoon leader gives the second squad in movement the signal to bound across by fire team.

(g) Once across, the squad is now lead in movement and continues on azimuth.

(h) One stop, look, listen and smell (SLLS) is conducted, squad leader signals platoon leader all clear.

1. Day time—hand and arm signal (e.g. thumbs up)

2. Night time—Clandestine signal (e.g. IR, red lens)

(i) Platoon leader receives all clear and crosses with RTO, FO, WSL, and 2 gun teams.

(j) Once across, PL signals the 3rd squad in movement to cross at their location.

(k) PSG with medic and one gun team crosses after 2nd squad is across (sterilizing central crossing site).

(l) PSG signals security squad to cross at their location.

Note 1: Platoon leader will plan for fires at all known LDA crossing sites.

Note 2: Squads in overwatch 2nd and 3rd will sterilize where they cross.

1. A and B teams of lead squad occupy overwatch positions

2. Second squad crosses, and continues on azimuth

3. PL crosses with RTO, FO, WSL, and 2 gun teams

4. Third squad crosses in movement, link-up with 1st squad

5. PSG crosses with medic and gun team

6. Security squad crosses, link-up with 2nd squad

7. With the new order of movement (formerly 2nd squad in movement now leading and the former 1st squad in movement in trail) the platoon continues movement on azimuth.

(4) Danger Area (Small/Open)

(a) The lead squad halts the platoon and signals danger area.

(b) The PL moves forward to the lead squad to confirm the danger area.

(d) The PL designates lead squad to bypass danger area using the detour-bypass method.

(e) Upon signal to move, lead squad offsets compass 90 degrees left or

(f) right as designated and moves in that direction. Paceman stops pace count and starts new pace count.

(g) After moving set distance (as instructed by PL). Lead squad assumes original azimuth, pace man original pace.

(h) After passing by the open area, the lead squad once again stops and again offset compass 90 degrees left or right and paceman starts pace once again.

(5) Danger Areas (series): A series of danger areas is two or more danger areas within an area that can be either observed or covered by fire.

(a) Double linear danger area (use linear danger area technique and cross as one LDA)

(b) Linear/small open danger area (use by-pass/contour technique. Figure 4-4)

Note: A series of danger areas is crossed using the technique which provides the most security.

Contour around open area Detour Bypass method

Figure 4-4. Small Open Area

(6) Danger Area (Large).

(a) Lead squad halts the platoon, and signals danger area.

(b) The platoon leader moves forward with RTO and FO and to confirm danger area.

(d) PL designates direction of movement.

(e) PL may designate change of formation as

necessary.

Note 1. Prior to the point man stepping into the danger area. The PL and FO will plan for fires.

Note 2. If far side of danger area is less than 250 meters- PL establishes overwatch, and designates lead squad to clear woodline on far side.