Saturday, November 10, 2018

JMWAVE Commandos Trained as USA LRRS Units

The anti-Castro Cuban commandos trained at the remote South Florida JMWAVE bases - Pirates Lair and Point Mary, off Key Largo, appear to have been trained as LRRS - Long Range Recon and Surveillance units, including parachute training, taught by Ranger qualified USMC captain and two US Army Ranger Captains. 

Here's a link to the training manual for LRRS from 1962 - and note that sniper training was included and taking out a HPT - High Priority Target was approved at that time.

Eyes Behind the Lines – US Army Long-Range Reconnaissance and Surveillance Units


Major James f. Gebhardt, US Army (Retired)

Colonel Ellis D. Bingham
Commander of the VII Corps – LRRP Company – Long Range Recon Patrol

July 1961 – October 1962
USA REUR 50s and 60s

The Alamo Scouts
The planning would then result in the following minimum guidance being provided:
-          Specific mission statement
-          All available information on terrain, weather, enemy, and areas of operation
-          Method of delivery and return, with provision for coordination with transportation unit
-          Friendly tactical information
-          Special instructions on use of electronic surveillance equipment
-          Method of obtaining special equipment for patrol’s use
-          Evasion and escape (E & E) procedures


The “Operations” section of this field manual provides insight into LRP-unit tactics in 1962. From a LRP company command post (CP) located somewhere near the corps or army main CP, LRP’s were dispatched to confirm or amplify information acquired from aerial observation, photography, electronic surveillance, or radio intercept, or to enter area about which nothing was known. In addition, the LRP could be used to locate targets….or provided early warning about the movement of specific enemy weapons systems or units  (reserves).


LRP company personnel were to be volunteers and parachute qualified. The company commander, operations officer, platoon, and patrol leaders were to be Ranger qualified. It was desired that other personnel have Ranger or special forces qualifications. All personnel were also to be cross-trained as radio operators and receive continuous training in a number of subjects: demolitions, combat surveillance, target-acquisition techniques, evasion, escape, survival, advanced first-aid procedures, map reading, tactical appreciation of terrain, and an extensive knowledge of enemy tactics, organization, weapons, and logistical systems. LRP units were to maintain proficiency by conducting frequent long-range reconnaissance and combat-raid exercises.” 





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