The Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC), previously designated as the Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment (RRD), is an elite special-operations-capable unit subordinate to the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) since 2005. [Source]
Known by several callsigns, such as “The Company” and “Task Force Red,” it is responsible for special reconnaissance and direct action missions, which it is required to carry out under the 75th Ranger Regiment. It has remained active since its original activation in October 1984, and it has carried out numerous missions supporting the United States military and its allies.
The RRC provides worldwide reconnaissance, conducts operation preparation for the 75th Ranger Regiment, and has tactical roles. Rangers on their own are much more geared towards direct action than conventional forces, and the RRC furthers this doctrine by being an adaptable and dedicated intelligence unit. By using their variety of skills in HUMINT, SIGINT, ELINT and COMINT, they can more effectively inform Ranger assault elements. [Source, source]
2 History of the RRC
The RRC has a relatively short history when compared to other US Special Operations units, such as the SEALs and Delta Force.
In 1984, the 75th Ranger Regiment created the Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment (RRD). Sixteen years later, on 24 November 2000, the RRD deployed to Kosovo to operate under Task Force Falcon. This task force was sent to bolster peacekeeping efforts in the former Yugoslavia.
By 2005, the RRD was enlarged significantly and was renamed the Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC). It transformed into an elite special operations capable force and was now a member of the wider US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).
In 2006, the Ranger Regiment created the Regimental Special Troops Battalion (STB) to encompass all the special operations capable units under the Rangers; the RRC was placed under STB command. It began providing worldwide reconnaissance and operation preparation for the wider 75th Ranger Regiment and allied units.
2.1 JSOC Integration
There is some misunderstanding of the relationship between the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and the 75th Ranger Regiment as well as the RRC. JSOC is not the RRC’s parent command.
Although JSOC is a unified command structure of the varying special forces units in the US military, such as CAG (aka Delta Force) the RRC operates under the US Special Operations Command (USASOC). JSOC acts as a sort of bridge between the varying units and their differing parent commands.
USASOC operates as a parent command with the Regiment in a similar function as the Naval Special Warfare commanding DEVGRU and Airforce Special Operations Command running the 24th Special Tactics Squadron. JSOC functions as a joint force command that integrates special operations forces (SOF) from various branches of the military. There are often complications between units with their differing tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). JSOC acts as a bridge between these units and as the final authority between them.
When the Regiment stood up their Special Troops Battalion, the Regimental Reconnaissance Detachments were pulled from the battalions and into their own company. The reorganization of the RRD into a single company allowed JSOC to use them for recon missions rather than tasking an entire battalion.
As a result, the RRC’s ops tempo within JSOC significantly increased. The 75th Ranger Regiment has a long history within JSOC, but the RRC’s restructure allowed for the unit to be utilized by JSOC as a separate, highly specialized recon element.
3 Organisation of the RRC
The RRD was initially composed of a single unit that worked with the Regimental Commander and unit Intelligence Officers. Since then, it has expanded to three primary teams and a command element.
In the 1990s each of the three recon teams was assigned to one of the three Ranger battalions. The teams were comprised of six men, harkening back to their lineage of Long Range Recon Patrol/ Long Range Surveillance (LRRP/LRS) teams in Vietnam. The headquarters elements for the teams were comprised of a commanding officer, a first sergeant, two communications sergeants, an operations sergeant, and a training sergeant. These recon teams help to fill any intelligence gaps and complete sensitive intelligence tasks in preparation for, and during, active deployment.
3.1 Force Breakdown
Platoon (Entire RRC is platoon-sized / 30-40 men estimated size):
- Recon Squad 1 (Six men total):
- 1 Sergeant First Class or Staff Sergeant (Squad HQ)
- 4-5 Operators composed of Army Specialists (E-4) or Sergeant (E-5) minimum rank or above.
- Recon Squad 2 (Six men total):
- 1 Sergeant First Class or Staff Sergeant (Squad HQ)
- 4-5 Operators composed of Army Specialists (E-4) or Sergeant (E-5) minimum rank or above.
- Recon Squad 3 (Six men total):
- 1 Sergeant First Class or Staff Sergeant (Squad HQ)
- 4-5 Operators composed of Army Specialists (E-4) or Sergeant (E-5) minimum rank or above.
- HQ Element (Six men total):
- 1 Commander (O-3)
- 1 NCOIC (E-7 or above)
- 2 Communication Officers (25A or equivalent)
- 1 Training NCO (FTO, E-8 or equivalent)
- 1 Operations Officer (Likely O-3 or lower)
4 Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP)
4.1 Intelligence Gathering Methods of the RRC
The Regimental Reconnaissance Company’s tactics reflect their abilities as intelligence specialists, but there are different intelligence disciplines within the RRC. It contains several different intelligence-gathering disciplines, such as HUMINT, SIGINT, ELINT and COMINT. [Source]
4.1.1 HUMINT
HUMINT involves the collecting, interpretation and reporting of intelligence gathered in the field via human contacts. By operating ahead of other conventional forces, the RRC gathers HUMINT which can then be fed back to the Rangers.
4.1.2 SIGINT
SIGINT, also known as Signals Intelligence, is the practice of gathering operationally useful intelligence through the interception of ‘signals.’ It can take specialised forms, such as Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) and Communications Intelligence (COMINT). Rangers who operate under the RRC will intercept communications from opposing forces through varying means, such as radio wave interception. This information could be used to provide location information and also targeting information that enables surgical strikes.
ELINT
ELINT, also known as Electronic Intelligence, involves collecting and analysing electronic signals that are not communications, such as radar emissions. This type of intelligence is used to understand the capabilities and locations of adversary radar systems, missile guidance systems, and other electronic equipment. ELINT provides critical information for defence and strategic planning.
[Source]
COMINT
COMINT, also known as Communications Intelligence, refers to any intelligence that is gained from communication between people and/or groups. However, it refers only to signals that contain speech or text, such as text messages, telephone conversations, radio calls, and online interactions.
[Source]
4.2 Intercepting, Interpreting, Informing
SIGINT, ELINT, and COMINT all fall into an intersection of collection, interception and interpretation. Members of the Regimental Reconnaissance Company use various equipment and techniques to monitor enemy communications as well as devices to collect intelligence.
Consequently, RRC members can perform intercepts across many different channels and mediums. This allows the Rangers under the RRC to provide other military elements with not only current enemy activity but even potential intentions. This allows for other allied units and operational forces to target more precisely and carry out their respective missions more effectively.
[Source]
5 Selection and Training
5.1 Selection for the RRC
Selection of the RRC members, as expected, begins with becoming a Ranger. Rangers may apply to the RRC as well as other schools of specialisation. The RRC selection criteria allow only the most qualified and effective candidates into their limited ranks.
[Source]
5.1.1 RASP
As every member of the RRC must first be a Ranger, each member will be expected to initially pass through the Rangers Assessment and Selection Program (RASP), which is composed of several phases.
There is a pre-RASP phase that candidates must complete before entry into the RASP programme. Phase 1 involves physical and psychological conditioning, including long marches, land navigation exercises, triage testing, as well as psychological evaluation. In Phase 2, the Ranger skillset is expanded with new skills. These include combat skills, airfield seizure, personnel recovery, explosives, and long-range combat.
[Source]
5.1.2 Pre-RASP
After completing Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT), candidates who are interested in joining the 75th Ranger Regiment, and later the RRC, must attend a Pre-RASP screening session, which includes:
- 53 push-ups
- 63 sit-ups
- 2-mile run in 14:30 or less
- 4 pull-ups
- 6-mile ruck march with a 35-pound ruck in 1:30 or less
[Source]
5.1.3 Phase 1 of RASP
After completing the pre-RASP phase, candidates have to complete Phase 1 to progress within the RASP programme. This includes:
- Forced Ruck March and Run: A 12-mile ruck march with a 35lb dry rucksack.
- Continuing from pre-RASP, candidates will have to complete a 6, 8, 10 and their final 12-mile march in full uniform. They also perform a graded PT test with a 5-mile run.
- Land Navigation (Day & Night): Candidates, both in teams and individually, are required to find and travel to varying objectives using a map and compass.
- First Responder Test: Candidates are tested on their ability to stabilise and evacuate casualties.
- Screenings: Candidates are tested on their knowledge of the Ranger Regiment and they must also pass a psychological screening.
[Source]
5.1.4 Phase 2 of RASP
Post-Phase 1, Ranger candidates must then complete Phase 2, which consists of the following:
- Tactics: Candidates are instructed on the basic principles of direct action conflict.
- Basic Regimental Marksmanship: Training is given in weapons handling, safety, the zeroing of optics, walking and shooting and body positioning.
- Advanced Regimental Marksmanship: Candidates are introduced to pistols, pistol to rifle transitions and also shooting body positions.
- Explosives and Breaching: Training is given in the use of explosives and how to use these to breach positions which are held by the enemy. Candidates are also tested on identifying the correct breaching methods for different types of doors.
[Source]
5.2 Further Training
Rangers begin the process of joining the RRC with a slew of tests as well as assessments. Under the supervision of the Ranger Training Battalion, Rangers are tested to their absolute limits.
Among the known aspects of the training is travelling through the undeveloped wilderness on land navigation courses. RRC members geo-locate and then physically seek out various objectives in the mountainous region of their training grounds.
Physical tests of the RRC include full kit movement in mountainous terrain as well as long marches, all designed to condition recruits to the conditions of forward reconnaissance. Recruits are surprised often by false test conclusions, where assessors make recruits think testing has ended, only to start new tests moments after one concludes.
6. Equipment of the RRC
6.1. Weapons
The RRC utilises many of the same weapons as the US Army Rangers, having a wide range of weapons that let them handle many different combat situations.
Assault Rifles:
- M4A1 – SOPMOD Block 1 and 2
- Mk18 Mod 1 and 2
- FN SCAR L / Mk16
- FN SCAR H / Mk17
Shotguns
- Mossberg Model 590
Sidearms
- M9 Beretta
- Glock 19
Machine Guns
- M2 Heavy Machine Gun
- M240
- M249 SAW
- Mk 46
- Mk 48
Sniper Rifles/ DMRs
- HK 417
- M110 SASS
- McMillan TAC-338
- Mk 14 Mod 0 EBR
- RAI Model 300/500
- Remington M24 SWS
- Remington M40
- Remington M2010
- Mk 12 Special Purpose Rifle
Anti-Armor/ Anti-Vehicle Weapons
- Ranger Anti-Tank Weapons System (RAWS)
- Javelin Missile Launcher
- FIM-92 Stinger Missile Launcher
- Barrett M107 Anti-Material Rifle
- Carl Gustav M4 Recoilless Rifle
- M203 Underbarrel Grenade Launcher
- M320 Grenade Launcher
- Mk 47 Striker AGL
- M224 60mm Mortar System
- M136 anti-armour Weapon (AT4)
6.2. Field Devices
Beyond its weapons, the Regimental Reconnaissance Company uses an array of devices to fulfil its intelligence roles in the field. Most notable of these devices are a range of sensors, as well as array systems that the RRC uses to gather comprehensive and full spectrum field intelligence.
These sensors, built by several different companies, give the RRC intelligence-gathering capabilities via ground and air and through different means–seismic acoustics, infrared wavelengths, magnetic fields, and assorted visual means. Additionally, they have various tools that grant them interception capabilities for high, very high, and ultra-high radio frequencies. Finally, they possess different types of deployable sensor arrays that let RRC members construct small field camps that can quickly collect information from the surrounding area. Collected information is
“…demodulated, decoded, displayed and recorded to provide a time-phased record of enemy activity.”
[Source]
7 Notable Operations of the RRC
The RRC at times deploys more closely with primary Army Ranger battalions, instead of being completely independent. Consequently, many of the operations that the Rangers participate in may be considered Regimental Reconnaissance Company deployments as well. At the same time, however, there are a few notable operations that the RRC have conducted that are worth mentioning
7.1 Drop Zones Shiloh and Wrath
The RRC deployed into Afghanistan in 2001 to secure airfields in addition to gaining operational intelligence. Their goals were more specifically to secure an area deemed viable for future air operations, create the conditions for a functional airfield and hold said positions. Consequently, they conducted several situational intelligence-gathering operations to ensure areas were completely secure.
To secure these airfields, the RRC deployed to the areas via combat freefall parachute drops, into drop zones named Shiloh and Wrath.
[Source]
7.2 Drop Zone Tillman
The RRC also deployed for tactical preparation missions in Afghanistan, alongside their operational prep missions. They deployed to the Drop Zone Tillman, but instead of setting up an airfield, they deployed alongside emplaced tactical equipment. This equipment would provide other US forces with the ability to have a strong point before their arrival and to gain a tactical advantage.
[Source]
7.3 Hindu Kush Mountains
In 2006, alongside a JSOC Task Force that was operating on a locate and capture mission of insurgent leader Jalaluddin Haqqani, the Regimental Reconnaissance Company (at the time the RRD) was deployed. Their strike team did not participate in nearly as much direct combat as other Ranger elements, however, it did provide an extremely key tactical role.
When the task force came into contact with what it thought were Haqqani’s escorts, heavy combat ensued with insurgent forces. A very large number of insurgents engaged the Ranger forces but the Rangers were relieved when the JTAC component of their RRC attachment called in aerial fire support, devastating the opposing forces with high casualties. The engagement did not however result in Haqqanis death or capture.
[Source]
8 Conclusion
The Regimental Reconnaissance Company (RRC), formerly known as the Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment (RRD), represents a highly specialised unit within the United States military, specifically catering to the elite forces of the US Army, namely the Rangers. Due to their extensive training, discreet operational methods, and capacity to execute critical support and intelligence missions, they are regarded as both a formidable adversary and an indispensable ally.
The full scope of their operations in a modern context remains largely undisclosed and is unlikely to be fully revealed. Nevertheless, it can be inferred that the presence of US Army Rangers on the battlefield is often accompanied by the proximity of the Regimental Reconnaissance Company.
