Stinger Team Operations by Department of the Army - HTML preview

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Establish FAAR netting (line of sight).

for action. The team must occupy its position

Prepare additional weapons as required.

as fast as possible. Next, the physical secur-

Prepare field fortifications (prone/foxhole

ity of the position must be improved as

positions) and camouflage for team members.

required. The extent to which the team pre-

pares and improves a position will vary

Work on alternate positions as time allows.

according to the mission, the length of stay,

and the danger from enemy fire. Use the fol-

The exact position occupation sequence

lowing position occupation checklist when

of actions may vary between teams and team

occupying a position:

members, depending on the tactical situa-

tion. However, these guidelines should be

Prepare weapons for firing.

used for a position.

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FM 44-18-1

COMMUNICATIONS

Because MANPAD teams are widely

dispersed and subject to frequent and rapid

moves, radio is the primary means of com-

munications during employment. Radio nets

are supplemented and paralleled by wire nets

when time, the tactical situation, and secur-

ity permit their use.

The MANPAD team operates in the sec-

tion command net when not assigned a direct

support role. This is a two-way net linking the

section headquarters and its assigned teams.

Information received over the command net

includes the following:

Air defense warning and orders.

Movement orders.

Command and control information.

Any other information essential for sec-

tion operations.

MANPAD teams may be assigned to

support armored, infantry, mechanized

(AIM) divisions, separate brigades, armored

cavalry regiments, and corps/theater

artillery/ADA battalions. These teams are

equipped to operate in one net and monitor

another. Monitoring the section/FAAR net

alerts the team to early warning information.

To do all this, the team is authorized an

AN/VRC-47 radio.

Teams may also be assigned to support

airborne and air-assault units. MANPAD

teams with an airborne division are equipped

with one AN/ GRC-160 radio set. Teams oper-

ate in the section command net and the sup-

ported unit command net when autonomous.

Teams with an air-assault division are equip-

ped with two AN/PRC-77 for use in both the

MANPAD command net and the supported

unit command net.

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FM 44-18-1

When a Vulcan/SGT York Gun platoon

changes in WCS, air defense warning, alert

is in direct support of a company team which

status, and other information given to the

is also supported by MANPAD, the Vulcan/

Vulcan/SGT York Gun platoon. This method

SGT York Gun platoon leader, Vulcan/SGT

insures coordination of the air defense effort.

York Gun squads, and MANPAD team(s)

If the MANPAD section chief needs to get

operate in the Vulcan/SGT York Gun pla-

information to his team, he can contact the

toon net. By joining the Vulcan/SGT York

Vulcan/SGT York Gun platoon leader who

Gun platoon command net, the team will

can pass on the information.

receive all early warning information,

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FM 44-18-1

AN/VRC-47

AN/PRC-77

The AN/VRC-47 combines the RT-524\

This radio set is a short-range, light-

VRC with one additional receiver, the

weight, fully transistorized radio set that can

R-442/VRC. This radio set monitors one net

be either vehicle-mounted or man-carried.

while operating in another.

AN/GRA-39

AN/GRC-160

The RT-524 can be remoted, using the

The AN/GRC-160 incorporates the com-

AN/GRA-39 radio set control group. This

ponents and operational characteristics of

battery-operated remote control system con-

the portable FM radio set AN/PRC-77 and

sists of a local control unit and a remote con-

the vehicular radio set AN/VRC-64.

trol unit. When connected to the radio with

field wire, the AN/GRA-39 (remote set) can

operate the radio from a distance of up to 3.2

SPEECH SECURITY EQUIPMENT

kilometers (2 miles). By using this remote

control unit, MANPAD personnel can com-

All the above radio equipment can be

municate while away from their vehicles.

operated with speech security equipment.

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

The team radio operator must be able to

Speak slowly and distinctly at normal

effectively communicate in a radio net. To do

voice level directly into the microphone, just

this, he must use correct radiotelephone pro-

as you would into a conventional telephone.

cedures. Radiotelephone procedures must be

Do not key the mike for longer than 15

used properly to prevent targeting the radio

seconds. Use “breaks” for long transmissions.

and giving the enemy useful information.

Radiotelephone procedures are based on the

N E T S

Allied Communication Publication (ACP)

series of publications.

The type of net is determined by the NCS

according to operating conditions. The types

NET CONTROL

of nets are free and directed.

Each radio is controlled by a net control

In a free net, traffic is exchanged without

station (NCS) which maintains circuit disci-

prior permission from the NCS. A net is

pline within the net. The following are fun-

deemed to be a free net unless otherwise

damentals that must be used when operating

ordered by the NCS.

in a radiotelephone net:

In a directed net, stations must obtain

permission from the NCS prior to conducting

First, write down your message.

communications with other stations.

Listen before transmitting to avoid inter-

fering with other transmissions.

CALL SIGNS

Start speaking as soon as you key the

A call sign is a letter-number-letter com-

mike. (Do not wait for the sound of the blower bination assigned to a unit. Every unit in an

motor to peak out.)

organization has a different call sign. The

Speak in natural phrases, not word by

complete call sign is used under the following

word.

conditions:

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FM 44-18-1

When opening and closing a net.

radio’s technical manual for instruction on

When entering a net in which you do not

how to do this.

normally operate.

RADIOTELEPHONE PROWORDS

When responding to a net call.

Certain commonly used prowords have

When requested by the NCS or any other

distinct meanings and are used to shorten the

station.

amount of time in voice communications and

When radio reception is poor.

to avoid confusion. These prowords should be

used when talking on the radio or the tele-

CALL SIGN SUFFIXES

phone.

Call sign suffixes are two-numbered

groups assigned to positions or activities

AUTHENTICATION

within a unit. The call sign and suffix together

identify the sender and receiver of a radio

Authentication is required when—

message.

Opening and closing a net.

FREQUENCIES

Entering a new net.

Each radio net is assigned a frequency.

Coordinates of a position are requested.

These frequencies are established by the

Directions are given to move or which

communications-electronics operation instruc-

tions (CEOI). Radio operators should be adept

otherwise affect the tactical situation.

at changing radio frequencies. Refer to the

Any degradation of ADW or WCS.

TEAM WIRE COMMUNICATIONS

FIELD TELEPHONE

Team positions may be interconnected

Each Stinger team is issued two TA-

by wire for local communications in static

1/PT telephone sets. The TA-1 is a sound-

situations or during listening or radio silence.

powered telephone that provides facilities for

When the support unit establishes its wire

talking and signaling without batteries. It

system, the team can communicate with its

weighs only 3.5 pounds and has a range, with

section headquarters by wire. Information on

field wire, of approximately 10-15 kilometers.

how to connect a field telephone and use of

This telephone set can be used to advantage

field wire is found in FM 24-20.

in forward areas, employed in switched wire

Members of split teams also use wire to

networks (during periods when radio nets are

communicate. Because only one radio and

closed), or as point-to-point circuits.

one TADDS are within the team, the team

WIRE

chief stays with the radio and TADDS. The

gunner lays wire to the second position,

Each team is issued one RL-39 reeling

attaches the field telephone, and establishes

machine with a DR-8 reel containing 0.4

communications with the team chief. A

kilometer (Vi mile) of field wire. A second reel

second reel of wire is required to accomplish

can be obtained from the parent unit. This

this.

combination can be used to lay short local

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FM 44-18-1

circuits between field telephones and between

recoverable and is reusable; it should always

the RT-524/VRC radio location and the AN/

be taken up before moving out of a position, if

GRA-39 remote control unit. Field wire is

the situation permits.

TEAM VISUAL SIGNALS

Arm and hand signals may be used by

movements for the tank and mechanized

team members to communicate among them-

infantry company team are covered in FM

selves and with supported unit personnel.

71-1. When MANPAD teams are supporting a

Arm and hand signals are useful when radio

maneuver unit, they they should be familiar

or wire is not available and battlefield noise

with the visual signals used by leaders of the

does not permit use of voice commands. Arm

unit. FM 21-60, Visual Signals, contains a

and hand signals should be used only when

complete list of each type of visual signal. Six

absolutely necessary. Standard and special

examples of arm and hand signals for the

hand-and-arm signals to control small unit

communications of MANPAD fire commands

actions, recovery operations, and vehicle

are shown in the illustration below.

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FM 44-18-1

ALERT WARNINGS

FAAR/TADDS SYSTEM

An alert warning is an early warning, or

The FAAR/TADDS system is the prim-

indication of air attack.

ary means of providing MSCS alerting infor-

mation to the MANPAD team. This informa-

APPROACH WARNINGS

tion is transmitted by radio to the TADDS

A MANPAD team may be warned of an

receiver located with the team.

approaching aircraft or it may visually detect

the target without prior warning. Warning of

the approach of an aircraft increases the

chances of successfully engaging it. An alert

FAAR

warning will usually give general location

The FAAR system is a self-contained,

and heading of the aircraft and a tentative

pulse-doppler search radar system. Its mis-

identification (see appendix A). The FAAR,

sion is to provide early warning in the form of

together with the TADDS, furnishes early

general target location and tentative identi-

warning to the team. The team may also

fication. This early warning is provided to

receive early warning/alert information from

TADDS receivers located at divisional

the section headquarters. This data is re-

SHORAD fire units and headquarters up to

ceived at the section headquarters from the

platoon level. The range of the FAAR is 20

early warning broadcast net (EWBN), the air

kilometers. The FAAR transmits informa-

defense control net (ADCN), or the FAAR. In

tion to the TADDS using an AN/VRC-46 FM

turn, section headquarters sends this infor-

radio. Since the AN/VRC-46 is an FM radio,

mation to the MANPAD teams over the sec-

line of sight is necessary between the FAAR

tion command net.

and the TADDS.

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FM 44-18-1

Several FAARs will normally be operat-

ence, are being received. Emplacement of the

ing in a divisional area. Each has a different

TADDS is quickly accomplished by one man.

address code. Also, each is assigned a differ-

The operator performs the operational checks

ent frequency in the CEOI. The MANPAD

listed in TM 9-1430-589-12 to insure proper

section chief usually obtains the location of

operation.

the nearest operating FAAR from the pla-

toon headquarters. If a team cannot achieve

line of sight with a FAAR, another position

Using The TADDS

may have to be chosen. FAAR positions may

The team chief tunes the TADDS receiver

change during a battle. Therefore, the section

to the frequency and address code of the

chief must know where the FAAR positions

nearest FAAR. If no signal is received, he

are located at all times.

then consults the CEOI for the frequency and

code of other FAARs. If he receives a signal,

TADDS

he informs his section chief and requests the

The TADDS is a lightweight receiver

coordinates of that FAAR.

which can receive alert information sent

Long-range early warning information

from a FAAR. The TADDS has the capability

from the SHORAD TOC and locally gener-

of receiving voice transmission over its FM

ated FAAR early warning are received over

radio receiver. This is is now the primary

the TADDS FM receiver from the nearest

means for passing alert information.

FAAR section. The MANPAD team must

monitor the team’s respective platoon or sec-

Site Selection

tion command net, and either the supported

For the best reception, a site for the

unit command net or the EWBN. The teams

TADDS is selected which allows as close to a

monitor the FAAR on the TADDS FM re-

clear line of sight to the FAAR as possible

ceiver. It must be emphasized that the TADDS

(see illustration). The keyed characteristic of

is used exclusively as an FM receiver to the signal, when heard from the speaker,

receive early warning information from the

indicates that data link signals, not interfer-

FAAR.

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FM 44-18-1

RELATIONS WITH SUPPORTED UNIT

The team chief must coordinate with the

some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind to pro-

supported unit commander or his representa-

mote a good relationship and good coordina-

tive as soon as he can after being given his

tion on a local level:

mission. Good relations between the team

Advise the supported commander on air

and the supported unit are a must. The team

defense matters.

chief should be prepared to offer advice on air

defense matters and keep the supported unit

Don’t do anything that might compromise

commander informed of ongoing air activity

the security of the supported unit.

as he receives it through his ADA channels.

Follow the movement plan carefully.

It is the team chiefs responsibility to warn

When directed to occupy a specific posi-

the supported unit regarding safety hazards

tion, do so as quickly as possible.

(backblast and noise, see page 2-4.). It then

becomes the unit’s responsibility to take the

When attached, coordinate on-site selec-

proper protective measures (for example,

tion with the unit commander.

wearing ear plugs and moving away from the

Be courteous and tactful in all dealings

backblast area). If such items as team mess-

with the supported personnel and, in particu-

ing, resupply, refueling, need to be taken care

lar, with the supported commander. You are

of, the team chief will have to coordinate this

there to complement his defense measures by

with the supported unit. The following are

your air defense contribution.

HOW TO OPERATE AS A SPLIT TEAM

Under certain conditions and/or situa-

craft is detected.

tions a team may have to be split. Splitting

When separated from the team chief, the

the team degrades command and control and

gunner is fully responsible for correct identi-

the ability to detect, positively identify, and

fication of any aircraft which he engages (see

engage aircraft. If a team has to operate in a

chapter 4 for proper identification proce-

split manner, the following points should be

dures).

given serious consideration:

Split the basic load; two complete weapons

and one missile-round per team member.

When operating as a split team the land

The team chief should have access to the

line (field telephones) are the only means of

radio.

communications between the teams. The

maximum distance for splitting the team

The team chief should relay command and

should be 1/4 mile. When hand signals are the

control information to the gunner over the

only means of communications between the

team wire net.

split team, if feasible, the split team should be

Each team member keeps the other in-

positioned so that each team has a line of

formed of any activity, such as when an air-

sight to each position.

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FM 44-18-1

PROTECTING A CONVOY OR MANEUVER UNIT WITH MANPAD

WEAPONS

When protecting a convoy, MANPAD

craft. If not destroyed, the aircraft will at

personnel normally engage aircraft only if

least have his ordn