October 1, 2026: Long-range reconnaissance units have been a staple of military operations for thousands of years. The U.S. Army's current LRS (Long Range Surveillance) units are used by military intelligence units. They are highly trained surveillance units for obtaining information from deep within hostile territory.

Long Range Surveillance units are trained and equipped to operate deep inside enemy territory, where they build a hide site and provide continuous surveillance/special reconnaissance of an intelligence target. LRS teams allow 24-hour surveillance and analysis coverage, unlike large drones, manned aircraft, and most satellites, which usually provide limited coverage. If they are not discovered, they typically remain in position for up to 5 days, depending on available food and water supplies. LRS units operate up to 100 kilometers from friendly territory for up to five days.

Before LRS, radio made the LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) possible. With a radio, a small unit of men could sneak deep into enemy territory and report back what they found. Starting in World War II, numerous LRRP units were formed for this kind of dangerous work. In the United States Army, LRRPs went in and out of fashion depending on whether a war was on. Some LRRP units formed during World War II were disbanded after the war. The same thing happened during the Korean War, although two LRRP companies were created in 1958 for missions deep into Russian-controlled territory. LRRPs sprang up spontaneously in Vietnam. All but two companies were disbanded after the war, and these two companies were used in 1974 to form the Ranger Regiment. But in the early 1980s, as the U.S. Army took troop quality and training more seriously, the need for LRRPs returned. This time, the drill was a little different. The units were called LRSUs (Long Range Surveillance Units) and generally operated in four-man teams, rather than the 8-12-man LRRP units. Better equipment and the ability to send the patrols deeper made smaller units more effective. LRSUs are expected to stay out there for up to 30 days at a time. LRSUs have been used in every American conflict of the late 20th century. LRSUs have also been used in anti-drug and anti-terrorist operations. While still trained to fight, long-range scouts receive even more intensive instruction on staying hidden. Being a LRSU is considered on a par with Rangers or Special Forces, if only because LRSUs often enter an area before any of those other elite troops.

LRSUs evolved from the American Army’s LRRPS, but unlike US Army Ranger units, LRSUs carry out passive intelligence-gathering missions and are not equipped for offensive combat operations. LLRSUs take great pains to avoid being detected. Long Range Surveillance Units provide US Army divisions and Corps with the ability to deploy highly skilled reconnaissance patrols deep into the enemy’s rear, behind enemy lines. Operating as six-man teams, Long Range Surveillance Unit teams are trained extensively in long-range communications, survival, covert observation, and various infiltration techniques. Many LRSU unit members are qualified in HALO/HAHO and combat diving skills. In certain situations, they may also engage in stay-behind operations. Units can infiltrate on foot, by aircraft, by parachute, or by small boat. Units may be deployed up to 150 miles behind enemy lines. They are expected to operate independently for up to thirty days. Team members can provide bomb damage assessments, direct artillery fire, destroy enemy anti-aircraft systems, and locate enemy troop concentrations.

Each Army Corps is authorized as a Long-Range Surveillance Company (LRSC), and each Division a Long-Range Surveillance Detachment (LRSD). Long Range Surveillance Companies have a large headquarters platoon, a communications platoon, and two patrol platoons. Long Range Surveillance Detachments have fewer teams authorized per patrol platoon. Active Army Long Range Surveillance Units are assigned to their parent unit's military intelligence (MI) unit. Army National Guard Long Range Surveillance Units are assigned to their divisional cavalry squadrons.