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Regimental Reconnaissance Company

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75th Ranger Regiment - Regimental Reconnaissance Company
Active1984 - Present
Country United States
Allegiance United States Army
TypeSpecial Operations
RoleTier 1 Special/Close Target Reconnaissance
SizeOne company
Part of Joint Special Operations Command
United States Army Special Operations Command
United States Special Operations Command
Garrison/HQFort Benning, GA
Nickname(s)RRC, RRD
EngagementsOperation Just Cause
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Uphold Democracy
Task Force Falcon
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom

The 75th Ranger Regiment's Regimental Reconnaissance Company (formerly known as Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment/RRD) is a unit that has rumored to be the newest operational member of the Joint Special Operations Command. The unit is believed to have been formally invited to join JSOC in 2007 due to its extensive training and unique capabilities to conduct special reconnaissance and close target reconnaissance (CTR) operations.

Disposition

Based out of Fort Benning, GA RRC is among the premier special reconnaissance units of the U.S. military.

RRD, as it was originally called, was activated in October 1984 with the formation the 75th Ranger Regiment Headquarters at Fort Benning, GA. The detachment was tasked with providing worldwide reconnaissance and operational preparation of the environment in support of the 75th Ranger Regiment and other units within USASOC and JSOC. Traditionally RRD was divided into three six-man teams, each team to support each of the three Ranger battalions.[1] The unit has three primary tasks: Active Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Direct Action. While performing these tasks, the teams can:

  • Infiltrate the objective area by parachute (HALO, HAHO, or static lines), helicopter, fixed-wing aircraft, SCUBA, small boat, foot, or other means.
  • Remain undetected in the vicinity of the objective area up to five days.
  • Perform reconnaissance operations employing a full range of night observation devices, infrared detection devices, unattended early warning sensors, and photographic equipment.
  • Perform demolition target analysis.
  • Operate small watercraft and inflatable boats.
  • Emplace unattended ground sensors, omni-directional navigational beacons, hand-emplaced expendable jammers, and electronic target designation devices.
  • Collect combat information to satisfy priority information requirements and mission-essential elements of information. Teams report information by use of long-range, secure, burst-transmission communications equipment.
  • Perform drop zone (DZ) selection, marking and reception duties.
  • Report objective area weather conditions.
  • Perform highly selective, limited attacks or ambushes when so tasked.
  • Link up with the main body of the Ranger force in the objective area, or escape and evade the enemy in order to return to friendly lines.

When the 75th's Regimental Special Troops Battalion was officially activated in October 2007, RRD changed its name to the Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC) and opened its selection course to any soldiers in the U.S. Army who met the established pre-requisites.

Training and Selection

Since the unit's inception in 1984; the only candidates eligible for "operational" duty with RRC were members of the 75th Ranger Regiment who were traditionally seasoned Ranger infantrymen with the rank of E-6 or above. In 2007 this traditional selection practice changed when RRC was "supposedly" placed under JSOC's umbrella. The RRC selection course for operational-based positions is now open to any male soldier who is Ranger School and Airborne qualified as well as graduate of the Reconnaissance Surveillance Leaders Course (RSLC). This was done in an effort to attract more reconnaissance soldiers from the U.S. Army, primarily from the Long Range Surveillance/LRS units within conventional Army forces.[2]

Following the three-week selection course which is administered twice a year (March and September), the candidates are thrust into an intensive 34-week operator training course that includes free-fall training, computers, advanced communications, digital photography, photo editing, reconnaissance reporting formats, fieldcraft and stalks, infiltration and exfiltration methods, close-air support, advanced driving techniques, demolitions, tactical man-tracking, and advanced field medical techniques.[3]

  • The current recruiting drive is targeted at male soldiers in the ranks of Specialist through Sergeant First Class (E4-E7) from the infantry, field artillery, medical and communications military occupational specialties (MOS).
  • The company also has vacancies for infantry (MOS 11B) Staff Sergeants (E6) and Sergeants First Class (E7), communications and information systems operation Privates (E2) through Staff Sergeants, medical privates through sergeants first class, and privates through sergeants first class who are unit supply specialists (MOS 92Y) or automated logistics specialists (MOS 92A).
  • Limited officer vacancies include one infantry Major (O4) position, two infantry Captain (O3) positions and one position for a Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) holding MOS 350F (all-source intelligence technician).

Combat operations

It is assumed that RRD/RRC was involved in Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989 and Desert Shield/Storm in 1990/1991 as elements of the Ranger Battalions were deployed in both conflicts.

In 1994 the 1st and 2nd Battalions and a Company of the 3rd Battalion were en route to Haiti. The operation was canceled within five minutes of its execution due to successful negotiations. While the Ranger Battalions were sent home, a RRD team was forward deployed to provide reconnaissance capabilities for Operation Uphold Democracy.

On 24 November 2000 the 75th Ranger Regiment deployed Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment Team 2 and a command and control element to Kosovo in support of Task Force Falcon.[4]

RRD has been constantly deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as many of their skillsets have proven to be invaluable to the warfighting effort.[5]

  • The Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment Team 3 conducted a combat military freefall parachute drop onto Wrath Drop Zone in southeast Afghanistan on 10 November 2001. This was conducted in order to establish a Flight Landing Strip for follow on combat operations.
  • Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment Team 3 conducted a combat static line parachute drop onto Shiloh Drop Zone in southeast Afghanistan on 21 November 2001. This was conducted in order to establish a flight Landing Strip for follow on combat operations.
  • Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment Team 3 conducted a combat military freefall parachute drop onto Tillman Drop Zone in southeast Afghanistan in July 2004 in order to emplace tactical equipment.
  • Regimental Reconnaissance Company Team 1 conducted a combat military freefall parachute drop with tandem passenger in Afghanistan on 11 July 2009 in order to emplace tactical equipment.

References

  1. ^ http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/75rr.htm
  2. ^ http://www.soc.mil/75th%20Ranger%20Regiment/recruiting.html
  3. ^ http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/02/ATRecce070214/
  4. ^ http://www.soc.mil/75th%20Ranger%20Regiment/History.html
  5. ^ http://www.goarmy.com/ranger/heritage/regimental-special-troops-battalion.html
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