Battlefield Surveillance Brigade

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The United States Army is currently reorganising its intelligence formations into Battlefield Surveillance Brigades (BfSB), which should not to be confused with RSTA units.

As part of the Army-wide transition to the Army Modular Force, the reconnaissance capability of separate brigades is transitioning to the Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition (RSTA) format. The Army's Long Range Surveillance units (LRSU's) are being incorporated into the Army's new Battlefield Surveillance Brigades (BfSB). These brigades contain a brigade HHC, a Military Intelligence Battalion (BFSB), a Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron, as well as a network signal company and forward support company. The R&S squadron has an HHT, one Long Range Surveillance Company (LRSC) with fifteen teams and two cavalry troops, each with two platoons. The RSTA capabilities are broader to encompass all aspects of basic recognizance and surveillance. The BfSB's Cavalry Squadron (including its LRS troop) can conduct the same reconnaissance and surveillance missions as an RSTA squadron, but the BfSB's LRS company also has the more specialized mission and capability of being able to conduct surveillance mission deep behind enemy lines.

This difficult mission is conducted by only three types of units in the Army. These units are the various LRS units, the Regimental Recon Detachment of the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the various Special Forces (SF) units. RSTA units also have added light vehicle support in the form of HMMWVs and M3 Bradleys (due to being commissioned as cavalry), whereas the BfSBs do not utilize a larger vehicle support element. In addition, by doctrine, RSTA units do not require their leadership positions to be filled by Ranger-qualified officers and NCOs as do LRS units. This is compounded by the Army's transformation plan and the changing of nearly one-third of its forces primary roles and missions on the battlefield. It is more comprehensive than sending a Cavalry troop out front to make and maintain contact with the enemy. And, it is bigger than a counter recon plan.

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