Edward Wolcoff - Special Reconnaissance and Advanced Small Unit Patrolling

Special Reconnaissance and Advanced Small Unit Patrolling

Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for Special Operations Forces

Edward Wolcoff

First published in Great Britain in 2021 by

Pen & Sword Military

An imprint of

Pen & Sword Books Ltd

Yorkshire Philadelphia

Copyright Edward Wolcoff 2021

ISBN 978 1 52677 909 0

eISBN 978 1 52677 910 6

Mobi ISBN 978 1 52677 911 3

The right of Edward Wolcoff to be identified as Author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is

available from the British Library.

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T his book is dedicated to the magnificent Special Forces soldiers assigned to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observation Group (MACV-SOG), with special regard and respect to those who volunteered for the Reconnaissance Companies of the SOG Forward Operating Bases (FOBs). In particular, Lessons-Learned and accounts contained in this book are largely drawn from operations into southeastern Laos and Northeastern Cambodia that were conducted by SOGs Command and Control Central (CCC) based at FOB2. During an approximate two-year period, CCC Strategic Reconnaissance (SR) personnel earned a stunning five Medals of Honor (MOH) and numerous awards of the Distinguished Service Cross. Recon Team Members from CCCs sister unit (CCN) were awarded two MOHs and several DSCs as well.

Several true accounts contained in this book were derived from operations conducted by RT California, under the Team leadership of then Sergeant First Class Joe Walker. In the estimation of this Author, SFC Walker was the most accomplished and respected RT Leader in all of SOG (and among other Special Operations during the Vietnam era). Upon his retirement from the military, Joe continued his service to his nation in the Intelligence Community, where his operational performance might again be considered of legendary stature but for the enduring secrecy attached to his missions.