Pathfinder Ops

Pathfinders are the key to successful Air Assault/Mobile/Drop operations...

Intro

Pathfinders "...provide navigational aid and advisory services to military aircraft in areas designated by supported unit commanders..."

PZ/LZ/DZ - Pick-up Zone/Landing Zone/Drop Zone

That is to say, Pathfinder's key job description is to set up PZ/LZ/DZs for (mainly) rotary aircraft. They inform the A/C of advisories (wind, obstacles, slope, Enemy situation etc.). At the staff level, they provide the Commander with advise and insight to help plan Air Assault/Mobile/Drop ops.

Pathfinder Structure

Pathfinders tend to fall under the CAB (Combat Aviation Brigade). Most Pathfinder units are based on company/platoon sized elements. However, when fielded most teams will have 3-6 members. Other attachments (engineers, CCT etc) are added as needed as is extra and specialized equipment (ATC tower, runway graders etc.).

Mission

Primary Mission:
Pathfinders conduct planning, survey, selection, marking, improving, and controlling sites to load/unload Soldier/supplies/equipment.


Sling Load Ops

Secondary Mission:
Pathfinders can conduct CSAR (Combat Search And Rescue), limited reconnaissance/surveillance missions, and a limited QRF (Quick Reaction Force) and/or air interdiction force.


CSAR

Infiltration Methods

Based on the type of Pathfinder unit, different insertion/extraction methods are used.

Conventional forces
Air Assault
Mobility (dismounted/mounted)

SOF (Special Operation Forces)
Fast rope
SPIES/FRIES
Static line parachute
CRRC (Combat Raiding Rubber Craft)
Surface swimmers

Special Forces
HALO/HAHO
SCUBA teams

LZ/PZ/DZ Marking Signals

Various types of signals exist (electronic, visual, audible etc).


Ground guide with vest/gloves




RAM - Raised Angle Marker

Navigational markings:
Electronic - homing beacons/transponders/radios
Visual - VS-17 panel/smoke/mirror/colored ground control/strobes/chemlights

"Beam bag" lights are used to tactically identify the landing spot(s). Different colored lights can be used to help identify different landing spots.





Pathfinders can mark important LZ/PZ/DZ for incoming personnel:

• assembly areas
  
• medical
  
• communication center
  
• obstacles
  
• supplies

Mission Planning

In order for Pathfinder mission to succeed, effective planning is crucial.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1221180757
This process starts with receiving:

• WARNO
  
  The WARNO will let the team know what equipment, personnel and supplies will be needed for MC (Mission Complete). The unit will be able to start preparing even before the actual mission planning takes place.
  
  The WARNO should address several key points:
  
• current Enemy situation
  
• state the mission thus far
  
• Soldier attachment needs
  
• list of needed tools
  
• needed supplies to be brought
  
• any special instructions
  
• necessary coordination with other units
  
  If the unit must leave for the mission with only the WARNO, they should try to:
  
• conduct a rehearsal
  
• use a terrain model to better understand the AO (Area of Operations)

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1217995942


Pathfinder mission planning checklist


Surface wind limits based on load type

"Tools of the Trade"

While conducting CSAR (Combat Search And Rescue), Pathfinders have several tools to help extract trapped pilots.


"Hooligan" Tools


Saw


Torch


Manual Extraction Tool Set

Military Coordination

Coordination between Pathfinders and other military units is fundamental for MC (Mission Complete).

Here is a list illustrating those coordination steps
ALO - Air Force Liaison Officer
GUC - Ground Unit Commander

Terminal Guidance

Other personnel besides Pathfinders can give aircraft the terminal guidance needed to operate safely in the area.



Army CAB units field a platoon of ATC (Air Traffic Control).



Once the LZ/PZ/DZ is secure, these Soldiers and thier equipment allow for much more C2 (Command and Control).


Mobile ATC Tower

GTA Communications

Pathfinders must be able to perform effective GTA (Ground To Air) communications with aircraft.

GTA communications are not part of a Soldier's traditional radio training. Learning them is easy enough but applying them in the field takes a lot of practice.

GTA Scenarios

There are 4 main GTA scenarios:

Scenario 1: Location of aircraft is known

• Initial contact
  
• ATC information (heading, L/R landing pattern etc.)
  
• Advisory information (winds, slope percentage, flight/landing/departure etc.)
  
• Relevant notices
  
• Aircraft in view
  
• Departing instructions

Scenario 2: Aircraft reports in from a direction/distance

Scenario 3: Aircraft with in-flight emergencies

Scenario 4: 'Lost' aircraft that needs navigational assistance

Special Ops Support

AFSOCs (Air Force Special Operations Command)
CCT (Combat Control Team) are SME (Subject Matter Experts) on all things LZ/PZ/DZ and supporting aircraft.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1371158657

CCT Selfie

H-Minus Operations

Pathfinders infiltrate the planned LZ/DZs several hours to several days before the main assault force timeline.

Once they infiltrate into the AO (air assault, parachute, MFF etc.), they make their way into the contested area (dismounted or mounted).


Engineer in protective gear for a tree landing


Land navigation once on the ground

With attachment support (engineers, security force etc.), Pathfinders clear the area, mark obstacles and provide force protection to the Pathfinder teams.



Trees can be reduced by chainsaw and/or explosive charges. Larger obstacles can be dragged away with vehicle support. If the LZ/DZ needs to be graded, engineer support with bulldozers can level out the area.

DART

DART - Downed Aircraft Recovery Team

Pathfinders can help DART recover all types of aircraft equipment

The 2 most used methods of equipment extractions are:

• mounted (vehicular)
  
• airlift
  
  
  
  
  
  

If downed aircraft cannot be recovered, DART/Pathfinders will take out sensitive items out and/or destroy in place.

Aircraft Landings Approaches

When aircraft land in a LZ/PZ/DZ they must follow a landing pattern.


The different parts of an approach landing

Pathfinders must be able to effectively control congest airspace

Pathfinders must be able to effectively control congest airspace

Safety distances between aircraft on the airstrip


Landings/take-offs must be recorded

HLZ Ops

HLZ - Helicopter Landing Zone


Helicopter danger zones

The larger the aircraft the larger the landing zone. Also, cargo aircraft and limited visibility add extra space to the HLZ (Helicopter Landing Zone).



The term "cleared to ground level" has been coined to illustrate the need to clear the entire site of debris that could damage the rotor blades of aircraft.

Obstacles that can not be reduced or removed must be marked in red (spray paint, chemlights, marker panels, tape etc.). Site obstacles are considered such when they are over 18" and cannot be removed.


Ground slope general rules:

• light utility and observation do not land with over 7 degrees of slope
  
• heavy utility and cargo aircraft receive an advisory when 7-15 degress
  
• aircraft can only hoover over LZ when slope is >15 degrees
  
• advise pilots when landing on a side slope
  

DZ Ops

DZ - Drop Zone

CARP - Computed Air Release Point

Day/night DZ markings




The ONLY 4 Army code letters


Raised Angle Marker (RAM)

Forward throw of personnel/cargo from fixed-winged A/C

Surface wind limits

Actions on the Objective

Pathfinders set up a CC (Control Center) party that is not located on the LZ/DZ. This is to prevent Enemy EW (Electronic Warfare) from locating the actual LZ/DZ.



Radio 'check-ins' are made through out the AO to communicate the aircraft moving position(s).

Sling Load Operations

Pathfinders must be proficient in advising, preparing and inspecting aircraft sling loads.










Sling Load Inspection

FARP Ops

FARP - Forward Arming and Refueling Point







Pathfinders aren't responsible for FARPs but they can help with set-up and aircraft control.

Prevailing Winds (MEW)

Mean Effective Wind (MEW)

Pathfinders must be able to judge wind speed for A/C landings, personnel/cargo drops. They do this by inflating a weather balloon and releasing it off into the air to rise. Pathfinders then count the seconds since that release and use an instrument to judge the angle of the balloon. Then, they match the time passed with the angle noted and can judge the wind speed. This will inform them of ground winds to drop altitude winds and allow an airdrop operation to take place.



Helium balloons typically come in 2 weights:

• 10 grams
  
• 30 grams

The balloons are inflated to 2 different circumferences based on time of day:

• Day
  
• Night

Circumference examples:
10 grams for day is 57 inches
10 grams for night is 74 inches

30 grams for day is 75 inches
30 grams for night is 94 inches


Wind limits

[Stove]

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