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| SECTION I | ---------------------------------- | SECURITY PATROLS |
| SECTION I | ---------------------------------- | CONTACT PATROLS |
| SECTION I | ---------------------------------- | ECONOMY OF FORCE PATROLS |
SECTION I. SECURITY PATROLS.
169. General
a. Security patrols screen flanks, areas, and routes. In a static situation, they prevent infiltration, detect and destroy infiltrators, and prevent surprise attack. They protect moving units, including convoys, by screening flanks, areas through which units will pass, and the routes units will use.
b. Once contact with the enemy is made, a security patrol attacks or withdraws, as indicated by the situation.
170. Special Organization.
Organization of elements into teams depends on the known enemy situation and anticipated contact.
171. Equipment
a. A security patrol is armed and equipped as required by the known enemy situation and anticipated contact.
b. Communication with higher headquarters is especially important. Radios must be capable of reliable communication over the entire distance covered.
172. Actions at the Objective.
a. The patrol leader selects a series of objectives covering the area in or over which the patrol is to move. Actions to be taken at each objective are planned, based on available information. This is done in the same manner that actions at danger areas are planned.
b. The patrol leader must be alert to modify his plans if the situation at an objective is not as anticipated.
c. As each objective is secured, plans for the next objective are confirmed or modified, and the patrol continues.
SECTION II. CONTACT PATROLS.
173. General
Contact patrols establish and maintain contact to the front, flanks, or rear by. Contacting friendly forces at designated points.
b. Establishing contact with a friendly or enemy force whose definite location is not known.
c. Maintaining contact with friendly or enemy forces.
174. Special Organization and Equipment.
Special organization and equipment depend on the known enemy situation and anticipated enemy contact. For example:
a. Patrols contacting adjacent friendly units at designated points are usually small and lightly armed.
b. In conventional operations, a patrol sent out to establish contact with an enemy force is organized, armed, and equipped to overcome resistance of light screening forces and insure contact with the main force.
c. In counter guerrilla operations, the same patrol is organized, armed, and equipped to maintain contact, without being overrun, until reaction forces arrive.
d. As in a security patrol, communication is especially important and must be reliable.
175. Actions at the Objective.
a. A series of objectives is selected just as in 1, security patrol. The patrol proceeds from objective to objective until contact is established, then acts in accordance with the situation, or as directed.
b. The patrol must remember that the mission is to establish or maintain contact. If contact with the enemy is made, the patrol must not engage in decisive contact.
SECTION II. ECONOMY OF FORCE PATROLS.
176. General.
a. An economy of force patrol attacking a defended objective is organized, armed, and equipped in the same manner as a raid patrol. Its actions at the objective differ from those of a raid patrol only in the fact that it holds the objective instead of withdrawing.
b. An economy of force patrol seizing an undefended objective, or establishing 11, position without opposition, proceeds to the designated location and organizes the position as required.
177. Missions.
Typical missions for economy of force patrols include:
a. Establishing roadblocks to retard enemy movement or prevent reinforcement.
b. Seizing key terrain to deny the enemy access to an area.
o. Covering the withdrawal of a force to deceive or delay the enemy.
d. Acting as a blocking force to allow a major effort to be made elsewhere without interference.