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During the past decade Formation
Reconnaissance was re-organised to provide five regular regiments. Four of
these regiments have three sabre squadrons and a command and support
squadron, whereas the Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR) has a fourth
squadron which is specifically affiliated to 16 Air Assault Brigade.
Formation
Reconnaissance Regiments are usually under the direct command of a
formation headquarters (divisional or brigade). Their more usual task in
a defensive scenario is to identify the direction and strength of the
enemy thrusts, impose maximum delay and damage to the enemy's
reconnaissance forces, while allowing main forces to manoeuvre to combat
the threat.
They would be assisted in such a task by using
their own organic long-range anti-tank guided weapons and
other assets that might be attached, such as anti-tank helicopters (Lynx
with TOW and perhaps Apache Longbow (WAH-64D)).
In
support would be the indirect fire guns (AS 90) and Multiple Launch Rocket
System (MLRS) of the divisional artillery and an air-defended area (ADA)
maintained by Rapier and Stormer HVM air-defence missiles.
The basic task of Formation Reconnaissance is
to obtain accurate information about the enemy and develop an intelligence
picture in their areas of responsibility for their superior commanders in
the chain-of-command, as quickly as possible. However, Formation
Reconnaissance Regiments are now capable of providing armour
support to infantry on operations in Afghanistan. |
