Ranger Forward A Arms - Elite Surveillance & Indirect Fires

Overview of Ranger Forward A Arms

The United States Army Rangers are elite airborne light infantry special operations forces capable of conducting direct action raids and missions behind enemy lines. Rangers are often deployed in small teams to gather intelligence and conduct ambushes, raids, and sabotage against strategic targets. An essential capability they utilize is the "Ranger Forward A Arms" concept.

What is Ranger Forward A Arms?

Ranger Forward A Arms refers to the practice of deploying small teams of Rangers covertly into hostile territory to observe enemy movements, identify high value targets, and direct precise fires on those targets. The Rangers gather intelligence and maintain a hidden presence behind enemy lines until the opportune moment to call for fire support from artillery, air strikes, or naval gunfire.

This enables the Rangers to maximize the element of surprise and precisely strike priority targets with coordinated indirect fire. Rather than initiating direct assaults themselves, the Rangers utilize stealth and their elite surveillance capabilities to enable devastating precision fires from a distance.

Advantages of Ranger Forward A Arms

There are several key advantages to the Ranger Forward A Arms concept:

• Enhanced intelligence gathering and situational awareness from being embedded in enemy territory
• The ability to precisely identify and confirm high value targets
• Covert presence reduces risks to the small Ranger teams
• Strike targets with the element of surprise using devastating indirect fires
• Avoid risky direct assaults which could result in Rangers being overrun

By leveraging stealth, precision fires, and elite surveillance skills, the Rangers maximize their asymmetric advantages over larger enemy forces. Ranger Forward A Arms allows a relatively small team to coordinate lethal effects across a large area.

Historical Examples

The Ranger Forward A Arms concept has been effectively utilized in several historical operations:

Operation Urgent Fury - Grenada 1983

A team of Army Rangers were inserted via low altitude parachute jump onto Point Salines airfield. Their mission was to conduct covert surveillance and direct air strikes and naval gunfire to neutralize enemies guarding the airfield. This enabled seaborne forces to safely land and recapture the airfield.

Operation Just Cause - Panama 1989

To secure the vital Rio Hato airfield in Panama, Rangers infiltrated the area and provided covert observation. They precisely directed AH-6 helicopter gunships to eliminate targets and paved the way for the airfield seizure.

Operation Gothic Serpent - Somalia 1993

To capture warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, Ranger sniper teams maintained concealed overwatch positions around Aidid's residence and directed helicopter gunship attacks that were key to the mission.

Modern Application

The Ranger Forward A Arms approach remains relevant today. Ranger units like the 75th Ranger Regiment continue honing their capabilities to gather intelligence deep in enemy controlled areas and utilize sophisticated technologies to identify targets and enable precision fires.

Technologies such as encrypted communications, handheld devices, GPS targeting, and air/ground sensor networks enable Rangers to maintain real-time situational awareness and rapidly exploit opportunities to achieve tactical surprise. Ranger Forward A Arms will continue to be a vital part of their special operations mission set for years to come.

By leveraging their elite training, teamwork, and technology, Army Rangers are uniquely skilled to spearhead Ranger Forward A Arms operations that can shape the battlefield and enable decisive results for joint force commanders. Their capabilities will remain highly valued by the United States military.

FAQs

What are the key goals of Ranger Forward A Arms?

The key goals are to covertly infiltrate enemy territory, identify high value targets, maintain situational awareness, and enable precision indirect fires on priority targets using surprise.

What types of targets can Ranger Forward A Arms engage?

Rangers can use surveillance to identify and engage a wide variety of targets including enemy command posts, logistics nodes, air defense systems, artillery batteries, and staging areas.

How small are the Ranger teams utilized for Forward A Arms?

Teams are typically very small, often just 3-5 Rangers. This ensures covert insertion and mobility in the enemy's rear area.

What technology aids the Ranger Forward A Arms mission?

Rangers leverage encrypted communications, handheld targeting devices, remote sensors, GPS, and real-time video from UAVs or aircraft to maintain situational awareness and precision fires.

How can Ranger Forward A Arms support larger operations?

Forward A Arms allows Rangers to shape the battlefield before conventional forces initiate assaults by disrupting enemy forces and command infrastructure.