PHASE-ZERO RECON REDUCE RISK FOR CRISIS RESPONSE

摘要

During January 1991 's Operation Eastern Exit, "The information ... in Mogadishu possessed by the mission's forces was dated and inaccurate. The two CH-53Es had to fly over embattled Mogadishu for 20 minutes searching for the Embassy compound." This precarious experience illustrates the critical importance of continually confirming, evaluating, and updating suitable entry points. Even though the time and location of the next military operation is unknown, phase zero for that operation has already begun. Accurate, off-the-shelf reports confirming entry points and key terrain are vital to crisis response and will reduce risk for future Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) commanders. Through routine and episodic phase-zero reconnaissance missions, the service must build a repository of information to plan crisis response in time-constrained environments.