Insertion (Recon)

## Insertion

Inserting in the AO is one of the most dangerous moments of the patrol. A bad insert can make your patrol very miserable or even worst just call it off for the day. Your noise signature is at its highest, the enemy might wait for you and your team has no ideas what la behind the tree line. Regardless this is also an inevitable moment in every Lurp missions. Some players new Recon will struggle with insertions, either by staying in there too long, or moving for too long before performing an all-around defence, or sending their troops in an AO with a high heat score.

There are however certain things you can do in order to minimize the risks. Conveniently enough the things you have to do in the Recon game to increase your survivability are the same that was needed in a real-life Recon.

## Mid Air

Insertion was the most intense moment of any mission. Each man was lost in his thoughts, but this was where discipline and training paid off. Troops had to focus and be prepared for any eventuality. The crew chief alerted them a few minutes out from the LZ. The TL leaned out the door, straining to confirm it was the right LZ. Landing on the wrong LZ, even a few hundred yards away, would make it extremely difficult to determine the team’s actual location in the dense forest with scarce identifiable landmarks. The team’s survival and ability to report accurate locations demanded it know its location precisely at all times, and unfortunately it was all too common for pilots to insert on the wrong LZ. The chopper came in fast, flared, and went into ground effect a few feet off the red dirt.

## Touch off

The team might all go out the same side and rush into the trees without slowing. Alternatively, they could also go out both doors, hit the ground, and move out once the chopper departed. This took only seconds. If they were fired upon they knew not to fire from within the helicopter for the danger of hitting the chopper, a crewman, or their own men. If only one man was out the door and fire was received they all exited. It was a dash to the nearest concealment, and they halted after 330–1,000ft (100–300m) in a tight circle, kneeling, alert, and weapons ready. After the chopper departed it was startlingly quiet, and the team listened for sounds of movement and signal shots, and accustomed themselves to the natural sounds. The TL had the radio handset to his ear.

## Post insert

Once assured they were safe he gave an all-clear to the TOC and a commo check was made. The gunships would orbit nearby on standby. Noses were counted and equipment checked to ensure nothing was dropped. Satisfied, the TL reported his direction of movement and then moved out in a file formation. The most experienced scout was the point man with his weapon set on full automatic. The TL followed with the radio operators behind him, then a scout. The assistant patrol leader brought up the rear as the “tail gunner.” A wedge or diamond formation might be used in sparse vegetation, but the file was faster (when necessary), quieter, easier to control, and less tiring in dense vegetation as only one trail was busted. It created a less detectable trail than an extended formation, which made a wider path. The interval depended on vegetation, but it was typically close. Each man was assigned a sector of observation and he carried his weapon ready, moving with his eyes. Troops were alert for any unnatural sounds or disruption of normal sounds, the least flicker of movement, and anything that appeared out of place or man-made.

*Insertion. The LRRP transport helicopter leaves formation at predesignated RP, touches down on LZ. The patrol quickly exists aircraft, moves off LZ, and the transport helicopter rejoins the remainder of aviation element. The aviation element returns to controlling the head. quarters base and stands by for further mission requirements. The LRRP platoon leader renders a situation report (SITREP) enroute* -- LRRP Field Manual FM 31-18