FM 3-04.126 Attack Reconnaissance Helicopter Operations

Question 0

Basic Flight Formations

Answer 0

Combat Cruise, Combat Cruise Left/Right, and Combat Spread

P. 3-4

Question 1

Formation Separation “Rotor discs”

Answer 1

2 "Tight"
3-5 "Close"
6-10 "Loose"
\+10 "Extended"
P. 3-4

Question 2

Modes of Terrain Flight

Answer 2

Nap-of-the-earth
Contour
Low Level
P. 3-6

Question 3

NOE Flight

Answer 3

NOE flight is conducted at varying airspeeds as close to the earth’s surface as vegetation and obstacles permit. Aviators should decrease airspeed if weather and ambient light restrict visibility.
P. 3-8

Question 4

Contour Flight

Answer 4

Flight conducted at low altitude conforming to the earth’s contours. It is characterized by varying airspeeds and altitude, dictated by terrain and obstacles.
P. 3-8

Question 5

Low Level Flight

Answer 5

Aviators perform low-level flight at constant altitude and airspeed, dictated by threat avoidance.
P. 3-8

Question 6

Movement Techniques

Answer 6

Traveling
Traveling Overwatch
Bounding Overwatch
P. 3-9

Question 7

Traveling

Answer 7

Company elements employ Traveling technique to move rapidly through the operational environment when enemy contact is UNLIKELY, or the situation requires speed for evading the enemy. All aircraft move at the same speed. Fastest method for aircraft formation movement, but provides the least amount of security. Units often employ low-level and contour flight at high airspeeds using the traveling movement technique.
P. 3-9

Question 8

Traveling Overwatch

Answer 8

Company elements employ traveling overwatch when speed is essential and enemy contact is POSSIBLE. Lead aircraft moves constantly and trail moves as necessary maintaining overwatch of lead. Units often employ contour or NOE flight with traveling overwatch technique using high and varying airspeeds depending on weather, ambient light, and threat.
P. 3-9

Question 9

Bounding Overwatch

Answer 9

Company elements employ bounding overwatch when they EXPECT enemy contact and the greatest degree of concealment is required. Slowest movement technique; too slow for high tempo operations and vulnerable for nonlinear and/or urban operations. Individual aircraft/teams employ alternate or successive bounds. Units normally employ contour and NOE flight with bounding overwatch technique.
P. 3-9

Question 10

Definition of Reconnaissance

Answer 10

Reconnaissance is a focuses collection effort that produces combat information.
P. 3-10

Question 11

Fundamentals of Reconnaissance

“G.O.R.R.D.E.E

Answer 11

Gain and maintain enemy contact.
Orient on the reconnaissance objective.
Report all information rapidly and accurately.
Retain freedom to maneuver.
Develop the situation rapidly.
Ensure maximum reconnaissance force forward.
Ensure continuous reconnaissance.
P. 3-11

Question 12

Actions On contact

Answer 12

Deploy to cover and report.
Maintain contact and develop the situation.
Choose a course of action. 
Recommend or execute a course of action.
P. 3-17

Question 13

Choose a Course of Action

Answer 13

Hasty attack
Bypass
Hasty Screen
Support by another team
P. 3-19

Question 14

Reconnaissance Methods

Answer 14

Aerial Reconnaissance.
Reconnaissance by fire.
Dismounted reconnaissance.
P. 3-20

Question 15

Forms of Reconnaissance

Answer 15

Route reconnaissance
Zone reconnaissance
Area reconnaissance
Aerial Surveillance
P. 3-21

Question 16

Route Reconnaissance

Answer 16

A route reconnaissance is conducted to obtain information about a specific route and all adjacent terrain from which the threat could influence movement along the route.
-Air route reconnaissance
P. 3-23

Question 17

Zone Reconnaissance

Answer 17

A zone reconnaissance is a directed effort to obtain information concerning all routes, obstacles (to include CBRN), terrain, and enemy forces within a zone defined by boundaries.
The boundaries of a zone are RESTRICTIVE, unlike those of an area reconnaissance, which are permissive.
P. 3-24

Question 18

Area Reconnaissance

Answer 18

The purpose of an area reconnaissance is to gather intelligence or conduct surveillance of a specified area.
The boundaries of an area reconnaissance are PERMISSIVE and allow the air reconnaissance team greater freedom in selecting their ingress and egress routes. Emphasis is normally placed on reaching the objective area quickly.
P. 3-27

Question 19

Landing Zone/Pickup Zone Reconnaissance

Answer 19

LZ/PZ Recon is a type of area reconnaissance performed to determine the suitability for air assault operations. Principal concerns are determining if threat forces are present and can bring direct fires on the LZ/PZ and evaluating the physical characteristics of the area.
P. 3-28

Question 20

Critical tasks of LZ/PZ Recon

Answer 20

Tactical considerations
Technical characteristics
Meteorological conditions
P. 3-29

Question 21

Tactical considerations of LZ/PZ Recon

Answer 21

Mission
Security
Location
P. 3-29

Question 22

Technical characteristics of LZ/PZ Recon

Answer 22

•Landing formations
•Obstacles and hazards in the landing area and vicinity
•Number and type of aircraft the LZ/PZ can support
•Ground slope of the landing area
•Load suitability
•Approach and departure directions
•Size of the available landing area
•Surface condition, including brown-out or white-out characteristics, of the landing area
•Vulnerability
(LONGLASSV)
P. 3-30

Question 23

Meteorological conditions of LZ/PZ Recon

Answer 23

Prevailing Winds
Ceiling
Visibility
Density altitude
(PCVD)
P. 3-30

Question 24

Aerial Surveillance

Answer 24

Although primarily a mission for UAS, the ARC may be tasked with conducting surveillance.
Aerial surveillance is defined as systematic observation to obtain detailed information of a specific target or area.

Question 25

Fundamentals of Security

Answer 25

Maintain threat contact.
Orient on the force or facility to be secured.
Provide early and accurate warning.
Provide reaction time and maneuver space.
Perform continuous reconnaissance.
P. 3-31

Question 26

Types of Security Operations

Answer 26

Screen
Guard
Cover
Area security
P. 3-34

Question 27

Screen

Answer 27

The primary purpose of a screen is to provide early warning to the main body through the
communication of real-time combat information.

Question 28

Types of screens

Answer 28

Stationary---
Initial screen line, 
Successive screen line
Moving---
Moving flank screen, 
Moving rear screen
Rear area incursion screen

Question 29

Guard

Answer 29

A guard force accomplishes all the tasks of a screening force. A guard operation protects the mainbody from enemy ground observation, direct fire, and surprise attack.

Question 30

Types of Guard Operations

Answer 30

Stationary--
Advance guard, 
Flank guard, 
Rear guard
Moving--
Advance Guard,
Flank guard

Question 31

Cover

Answer 31

A covering force accomplishes all the tasks of screening and guard forces. Additionally, a covering force operates apart from the main body to develop the situation early and deceives, disorganizes,and destroys threat forces.

Question 32

Area Security

Answer 32

Area security includes reconnaissance and security of designated personnel, airfields, unit convoys, facilities, main supply routes (MSRs), forward operating bases, equipment, and critical points.

Question 33

Types of Area Security Operations

Answer 33

•Cordon and Search
•Route Security
•Convoy Security--Detached, Attached
•Aerial Escort - flown to protect helicopters conducting:
-Air Assault,
-MEDEVAC/, or
-air movement operations
P. 3-50

Question 34

Maneuvering Weapons Employment Techniques

Answer 34

Running and Diving fire.

Question 35

Attack Forms

Answer 35

Hasty Attack
Deliberate Attack
P. 3-58

Question 36

Attack Employment Methods

Answer 36

Continuous Attack Method
Phased Attack
Maximum Destruction
P. 3-64

Question 37

Search and attack

Answer 37

Elements of Search and Attack– Find the enemy,
Fix the enemy, Destroy the enemy
P. 3-87

Question 38

Weapons delivery techniques

Answer 38

Hover Fire
Running Fire
Diving Fire–Low level attack, Bump attack, and High attack
P. 3-69

Question 39

Attack Missions

Answer 39

Close Combat Attack
Interdiction Attack
Joint Air Attack Team
P. 3-59

Question 40

Holding Area Operations

Answer 40

The HA is the last covered and concealed position prior to the objective that is occupied for short
periods of time. It is normally located approximately 2 to 5 kilometers behind the BP, ABF, or FLOT.
P. 3-84

Question 41

Scout Weapons Team Attack Patterns

Answer 41

Racetrack pattern

Cloverleaf attack pattern