Patrol Base Operations

1. Patrol Base Operations

2. Overview • Define • Purpose • Site selection • Planning considerations • Occupation • Operate

3. Define a Patrol Base • A position established when a patrol halts for an extended period of time • A position not occupied for more than a 24-hour period • A position never occupied twice

4. Patrol Base Purpose • Avoid detection • Hide a patrol • Maintain weapons and equipment, prepare food and rest after extended movement • Plan and issue orders • To use as base from which to conduct consecutive or concurrent operations

5. Patrol Base Site Selection • Maps • Aerial reconnaissance • Aerial photos • Prior knowledge of area

6. Site Selection (cont) • A patrol base location selected by map or aerial recon, aerial photographs or prior knowledge is tentative • It’s suitability must be confirmed and it must be secured before occupation • Patrol base plans must include an alternate location, a rendezvous point, and a rally point • Near Water source

7. Patrol Base Planning Consideration • Mission accomplishment • Security Measures • Leader Planning

8. Mission Accomplishment • Located so it allows the unit to accomplish its mission

9. Passive Active Security Measures

10. Passive Security Measures • Terrain of little tactical value • Difficult terrain that would impede movement • Area of dense vegetation • Area remote from human habitation • Avoid known or suspected enemy positions • Avoid built up areas • Avoid hilltops or topographic crests • Avoid roads, trails, steep slopes and small valleys

11. Active Security Measures • LP/OPs • Commo with LP/OPs • Defense of patrol base • Withdrawal routes • Alert plans • Early warning devices • Camouflage, noise & light discipline • Minimum movement within patrol base

12. Patrol Base Occupation • Reconnaissance • Same procedures as ORP • Patrol enters at 90-degree turn

13. Security Halt

14. Leaders Recon

15. 90-DEGREE TURN Leaders Recon

16. Clearing Site 12 o’clock 9 o’clock 3 o’clock 6 o’clock

17. 90-DEGREE TURN Leaders Recon Returns

18. Patrol Base Occupation • Upon completion of the Leader’s Recon and link up with main element the Platoon prepares to occupy the Patrol Base

19. Occupation • Move 90-degrees off line of march • Enter patrol base in single file • Set up LP/OP • Camouflage tracks

20. 90-DEGREE TURN Occupy 1ST SQD 2 o’clock 10 o’clock 3RD SQD 2ND SQD 6 o’clock

21. Begins after SLLS Report to higher Adjustment of perimeter Assemble R&S team(s) Launch R&S teams Confirm site Establish sectors/range cards Establish

22. After sectors are defined Security Alert plan Withdrawal plan Water resupply Establish (cont.)

23. R&S Deployment

24. Priorities of Work • Security • Withdrawal Plan • Communications • Mission Prep • Weapons and Equip. Maintenance • Water Re-Supply • Mess plan • Rest plan • Alert Plan • Re-Supply • Sanitation and Personal Hygiene

25. Security • Passive and Active Measures • Re-Adjust perimeter as needed • Use terrain • Assign sectors of fire • Confirm location and camo of fighting positions • Designate one entry and exit point.

26. - Draw your unit sector or EA - Draw main terrain features in sector(s) and range to each 3 Draw subunit positions 4 Draw subunit primary and secondary sectors of fire 5 Draw weapon positions with primary sectors of fire for each 6 Draw MEL for each weapon/ ammo 7 Draw machine gun/cannon final protective lines or principal direction of fire 8 Draw location of CP/OP 9 Draw TRPs and RPs in sector

31. Priorities of Work (cont) • Withdrawal Plan • Communications • Mission Prep • Weapons and Equip. Maintenance • Water Re-Supply • Mess plan • Rest plan • Alert Plan • Re-Supply • Sanitation and Personal Hygiene

32. Exit/entrance Noisy tasks Movement Civilians Manning of OP Key Points to Monitor

33. Plans for future operations Plan for method of departure Future Operations

34. Forward Operating Base • FOB vs. Patrol Base

35. Summary

36. Questions