Being a LRP(generic spelling Lurp). LRRP was our first designation. It
stood for Long Range Recon Patrol meaning your job was to be just that,
reconnaissance. The team usually made up of a total of four men.
However, there have been as little as two men. Only once during my tour
with the Lurps did one man get dropped in on his own, and that was John
Powers(now deceased after 3 tours in Vietnam). He wanted to do it and
Brigade
accommodate him. He was more or less to observe and if the opportunity
presented itself, to sniper. He was equipped with the M-14 and scope. He
was trained as a sniper in Recondo school. This insertion was different
than the normal Lurp team. He was dropped in by one chopper without,
gunship support. He repelled about 75 feet into the jungle below.
A normal insertion was done with five Helicopters. One was called
command and control ship(C&C). This chopper carried the two pilots, two
door gunners, the platoon leader or platoon Sargent, and at times both.
This ship had gone earlier with the teamleader and one or the other of
the platoon commanders, to make an aerial recon of the area of
operation(AO).
During this time an insertion point was selected within the AO where the
team would be dropped in. Seldom was extraction points selected in the
early concept of Lurp operations. Later however, as knowledge
increased, extractions points were selected. In the early going of the
Lurp concept, allot was put to trial and error. There had been to my
knowledge no specialized training outside of what we learned concerning
patrolling techniques in basic or advanced infantry training. The
advantage went to the ones who had served overseas and other placed
where the infantry practiced their trade, destroying. Outside of that
we learned as we went and developed training and methods of operation as
we experienced the war. Later there would be the selection of
extraction point during initial recon of the AO plus coordinated preplan
artillery concentrations in the event a team was on the move , which
meant most times the enemy were in hot pursuit. When this happens it is
easier to give a preplan number to be fired, verses trying to plot your
location on the run. Any teamleader will tell you that is close to, if
not impossible. So the sophistication of operating procedures increased
the more we ran missions. We cut our teeth on trial and error. It was
not always pretty. We, the teams not only had to learn but the
commanders also, whom we worked for , to supply them information not
otherwise obtainable. Unfamiliar with our size and capability they at
times felt we could act and perform as a rifle company.
Along with the C&C ship you had two choppers know as slicks. I guess
you might say, they got the name as to the way they would insert or
extract us. Slipping across the jungle canopy at top speed and barely
above the tree tops so as to maintain stealth. In each slick you have
two pilots and two doorgunner, which is standard. The first slick
carries the team 2, 4 or 5. Five came later in my tour as the missions
changed from just recon, (which produced much action due to contact with
the enemy), to combat missions with the intent of ambushing targets of
opportunity and at times not so opportune. Depending on who spotted who
first, or at times over zealous teams. The second slick was equipped
and man as the first slick minus, a lurp team. Then you had two
gunships equipped with pilots, gunners and rockets. They flew as support
and diversion. They also flew at tree top level to the left and right
of the insertion slicks.
The routine was the C&C ship which had the same staff and pilots, who
had made the earlier recon of the AO, were now guiding the ships below
from 3000 feet up. As the Landing Zone (LZ) appeared ahead,they would
inform the pilots below, guiding them on course. As the insertion ship
got closer, they would begin a count down. I.E., 600,500,etc., meters,
until set down. They continued this until the insertion slick cleared
the tree tops, over the LZ. Once they cleared they would say drop down.
The pilots would come as close to the ground as possible and hover. The
team was already standing in most cases on the chopper skids, ready to
jump. The teamleader was to always go first. Any hesitation by a team
member, was overcome by the knowledge that the doorgunner would give
you a little help. He had to because this was a very crucial point. The
team and the chopper were very vulnerable at this point. One well aimed
shoot from a enemy rifleman could spell disaster to the chopper and the
team. Even though the pilots tried to get as close to the ground as
possible, the height could vary according to the undergrowth. You often
tasted your boots in your mouth.
The insertion is quick and that is how we Lurps liked it. Too much
activity may draw attention. All the while this is going on the gunships
are circling the LZ and surrounding area as a cover and diversion. The
second slick follows along behind the fist slick in the event we are
dropped in a hot LZ. If this happens the gunships take the enemy
under fire while the second slick comes in for the team. This happened to
my team once. We were immediately snatched up and too my surprise we
were flown a little farther and again inserted. I can not say I liked
this idea at first but I learned quickly, it was the right thing to do.
Had I and the team members had time to consider what had happened we
probably would not have been able to go in again. If I recall rightly it
was Charles Mathews, Doc, and Moui. Later as platoon Sargent, I saw the
results of pulling a team and terminating the mission. One of the best
and most courageous of my teamleader, lost it on the next mission he was
inserted on, he froze up once he hit the ground. Early extraction was
necessary.
Once the team is on the ground they move to cover, organize, and let the
pilots know, they are okay, so as to get them out of the area. After
listening for awhile the team then moves out of the area after a short
time, in the event they may have been compromised. They then set out to
perform their mission. Recon,combat, or a combination of the two.
Missions are normally set for five days.
Lurps are inserted deep in enemy territory. Often requiring relay
stations. Be it from mountain top to mountain via relay teams or forward
air coordinators (FAC), back to Brigade or Battalion command centers.
Depending on who they are working for directly.
Lurps were made up of all volunteers, due to the danger of the job. The
life expectancy was short. The men that made up the Lurps were a
special breed. Much like the Special forces or Rangers.
Rangers of whom we were eventually merged into. We often assisted the
SOG units(special operations groups), performing missions in Ban Me
Thout to beef up their productivity. Then eventually Ranger units were
employed as LRP units and we merged with the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Lurps , as the Special forces and the Army ranger are an Elite group and
were and are are ready to accept the challenge that often puts then in
harms way. Each named group has paid the price for the privilege of
being different.
Hopefully this has shed light on what it is to be or have been a Lurp.
But once a Lurp. always a lurp!
Their trademark was tiger fatigues, Australian bush hat, short black
automatic weapon called the AR-15, and know to ambush enemy units of
considerable size.
It was not so much duty , honor, and country. Although, that was forever
a part of their makeup,But rather men who preferred to be different that
loved to live on the edge. They played , fought and some died, for what
they believed: all people deserve to chose their own pursuit of
happiness.
This is not all there is to tell,but it is my best recollection after 32
years. Any Lurp out their should add to this article, as they see fit.
Let this be know as article one. Hopefully others will follow, as this
was and is a proud group of men.
Our support now goes to those serving as Long Range Patrol Rangers, of
the United States Army. You have a legacy behind you. Pathfinders if
you will.
This article is authored by a former active Lurp. Formally know as SFC,
Bob Smyers,
platoon/Sgt. of the 2nd brigade LRP, 4th I.D..
It should not be used with out, the author's permission and is dedicated
to the Lurps still on patrol(i,e,,those that have not returned, but
forever remain on patrol, in a realm we do not yet understand).
May God Bless all,
Bob Smyers