Long range surveillance Soldiers modify tactics in support of OIF

SAMARRA, IRAQ

03.18.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By Sgt. Jennifer J. Eidson
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE BRASSFIELD-MORA, Samarra, Iraq -- The mission of long range surveillance Soldiers is changing and shortening the distance between them and their targets of interest.

LRS Soldiers, like those from Task Force Liberty's 173rd Long Range Surveillance Detachment (Airborne), 42nd Infantry Division, East Greenwich, R. I., are cutting the distance between themselves and enemy forces in Iraq by inserting closer to the insurgents looking to disrupt the country's progress.

"It is easy to pull the trigger," said Capt. Michael P. Manning, 173rd commander and native of North Kingstown, R.I. "What we really do is intelligence collection."

While preparing for the long range surveillance missions in Iraq the Soldiers are working to change their tactics because they are not doing traditional long range surveillance, said Staff Sgt. John Shimkus, team leader for LRS Team 1.

"Before we were a passive unit," Shimkus said. "Now we go out and can actually engage the enemy."

Manning said traditional LRS Soldiers maintain around a 100-km. distance from the target of interest, but without a distinctive forward line of troops the LRS Soldiers are getting closer and are no longer just intelligence gathers.

They are now able to take action when necessary, he said.

"If the conditions are right, I can interdict," Manning said. "If I see guys laying an (improvised explosive device), I have the means and ability to kill (them)."

Traditionally, before a mission LRS Soldiers were given 48 to 72 hours of preparation time, which consisted of planning and rehearsals, but with today's tactics that much time is not required, he said.
"We don't have the luxury or need it," he said.

"We take 12 to 24 hours to prepare."
Because the Soldiers base of operations is close to the areas they conduct surveillance in, they are able to save time by conducting reconnaissance of their target area before they begin the mission, Manning said.

Another change for the LSR Soldiers is their means of infiltration, he said.
"We never had vehicles," Manning said. "We went in by helicopters or jumped in."

Using humvees provides Soldiers with a way to flee their area of operation if their position is compromised and also allows them to slip away under the darkness with the use of their night vision equipment.

But Manning said it isn't the equipment that keeps the Soldiers safe, it is the leadership of his noncommissioned officers and the skills of all the Soldiers.

"It is the NCOs that drive everything in this unit," Manning said. "They know field craft and they know communications.

What we are doing is long duration observations and it takes really disciplined guys."

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• Date Taken: 03.18.2005
• Date Posted: 03.18.2005 16:39
• Story ID: 1376
• Location: SAMARRA, IQ