Republic of the Philippines

Department of the Interior and Local Government

National Police Commission
PNP SPECIAL ACTION FORCE
SAF TRAINING BRANCH
Fort Sto. Domingo, City of Sta. Rosa, Laguna

SAFCC CL_________________ Date: _________________

STUDENTS HANDOUTS

PATROL BASE OPERATIONS

I. INTRODUCTION

A Patrol Base is a position set up or occupied when a patrol halts for an extended period of
time (less than 24 hrs). When a patrol must halt for a long time in place not protected friendly
troops, it takes active and passive security measures.

The time the patrol base may be occupied depends on the need for secrecy. It should be
occupied only as long as necessary but not more than 24 hrs except during extreme emergencies.
The patrol should not use the same patrol base more than once.

II. PURPOSE
Patrol bases are used when there is a need to:
 Stop all movement to avoid detection.
 Hide a patrol during a long detailed recon.
 Eat, clean weapons and equipment, and rest.
 Plan and issue order.
 Reorganize after the patrol has infiltrated an area.
 Have a base from which to conduct several consecutive or concurrent information
gathering and operations.

III. SELECTION
The tentative site of a patrol base is usually selected from a map or aerial reconnaissance
during planning. Its suitability must be confirmed, and it must be secured before it is occupied.
Plans to establish the patrol base must include the selection of an alternate site. The alternate
patrol base is used when the initial site is not suitable or if the patrol is unexpectedly required to
evacuate the initial patrol base. It is usually desirable to reconnoiter the alternate site and keep it
under observation or watched until it is occupied or no longer needed.
Planning for the patrol base must include consideration of the mission and passive and active
security measures.

MISSION. The patrol base must be located so that it does not interfere with the patrol
accomplishing the mission.

SECURITY MEASURES. The patrol leader selects:

 Terrain which would be of little tactical value to the enemy
 Difficult terrain which would impede movement
 An area with dense vegetation, preferably bushes and trees that spread close to the
ground.
 An area near a source of water.
At the patrol base the patrol leader plans:
 Observation posts
 Communication with OP
 Defense of the patrol base
 Withdrawal from the patrol base, to include planning for withdrawal routes and a rally
point, rendezvous point, or alternate patrol base.
 A security system to ensure that necessary troops are awake at all times.
 Enforcement of camouflage, noise and light discipline.
 The conduct of necessary activities with minimum movement and noise.

1
He avoids:
 Known or suspected enemy position
 Built-up areas.
 Ridges and hilltops, except as necessary for commo
 Roads, trails, wet areas, steep slopes
 Small valleys.

IV. OCCUPATION OF THE PATROL BASE

1. The patrol halts at a security halt and establishes temporary
perimeter defense.
2. The patrol leader together with his team conducts a recon of the
tentative patrol base site.
3. Issues contingency plan prior to departure to the APL and the team
leaders. APL issues contingency plan and briefs OP/LP for specific instructions.
4. Make 90 degree turn into patrol base.
5. Patrol leader moves clearing team to the vicinity of the tentative
patrol base.
6. Clearing team clears patrol base.
7. If the site is suitable for the patrol base, the patrol leader sends two
or three men back to bring the rest of the patrol. He gives orders and instruction to them to be
relayed to the team leaders of the rest of the patrol.
8. Patrol drops off temporary LP/OP
9. Establish perimeter and security.
10. Deploy R & S teams around the patrol base-using box clearing
method, during hours of daylight. If patrol base is occupied at night, the R & S team will be
deployed at first light.
11. Patrol leader sends patrol report to higher headquarters
12. Patrol leader confirms and disseminate evacuation, fire alert plan,
and alternate patrol base.

V. ACTIONS AT THE PATROL BASE

Security. This must be the patrol’s first priority. Points of entry are camouflaged as well as exit
and guarded all the time. Only necessary movement is permitted both inside and outside of the
patrol base. Whether day or night, only necessary fires are built. They must be kept small and if
built at night, must be covered and shielded. During the day, if possible, they must be smokeless.
Noisy work such as cutting branches is done only at set times. Such work is done as soon as
possible after occupation but never at night or in the quiet periods of early morning. Noisy work
should be done when other noise will cover it.

Stand-to. Is held both morning and evening to ensure that every men adjusts to the changing
light and noise conditions, and is dressed, equipped and ready for action. The stand-to should
continue from first light in the morning until after light. It should start before dark in the evening
and lasts until after dark. The starting and ending times should vary to prevent establishing a
pattern, but the stand-to must last long enough to accomplish its purpose.

Defense. A defense plan is made although the patrol base is usually only defended when
evacuation is not possible. Early warning devices may be put on approaches. If the base must
definitely be defended, mines and trip flares should be put on approaches and in places not
covered by fire. The value of these devices must be weighed against the fact that their discovery
will compromise the patrol base. Complete fighting positions are not built. Camouflage and
concealment are all stressed.
A withdrawal plan is also made. If the patrol is forced to leave the patrol base, it will rally at the
alternate patrol base, rally point or rendezvous point.

Communications. Commons are set with the higher HQ’s, with OP’s and within the patrol.
Radios of used must be closely controlled because of the enemy’s ability to monitor the patrol’s
transmission and possibly use radio direction finding devices to locate the patrol base.

2
 Maintenance. Equipment and weapons are cleaned and maintained to be ready at all times.
No more than half of the men should clean and maintain their weapons at the same time, in order
to have the other half alert and ready all the time to fight.

Sanitation and personal hygiene. In daylight, cat holes outside the perimeter are used. The
users must be guarded. At night, cat holes must be inside the perimeter. Men wash, shave and
brush their teeth on a regular basis. Trash is buried in a concealed site, or is carried with the
patrol.

Eating. Men take turns eating. As with maintenance, no more than half of the men eat at the
same time. Security must not be relaxed during meals.

Water. If details are sent to get water, guards are sent to protect them. No more than two trips
should be made to a source in a 24 hr period except when there are no other sources.

Rest. Rest and sleep are permitted only after all work has been done. As in maintenance and
eating, security must be maintained.

Planning. Leaders should use the time spent in the patrol base to continue to plan and
prepare for the mission.

Departure. All signs of the patrol’s presence are removed or concealed. This may help keep
the patrol’s presence secret and prevent pursuit.

VI. CLANDESTINE PATROL BASE

Clandestine patrol base is conducted when the patrol lacks time to establish a regular patrol
base operation or the patrol may be too close to the enemy or an enemy suspected area.

1. Patrol moves as a whole and occupies in force.

2. Patrol leader ensures that the patrol move in at 90 degree angles.
3. Claymore mine is emplaced on route entering the patrol base.
4. The team maintains all around security.

VII. FIVE POINT CONTINGENCY PLAN

Prior to leaving the patrol, the patrol leader gives instructions for what should be done while he
is gone. These instructions are:

G – Going, where the patrol leader is going.

O – Others, who is he taking with him.
T – Time, time he will be gone.
W – What, what happens if he does not return?
A – Actions, actions on enemy contact. Actions to be done if the recon party made enemy
contact/actions if the left behind elements are engaged.