text: Chapter 5
  Maintenance and Recovery
  5-163. Preventive maintenance is critical to being able to execute mounted operations. Long supply lines
  and minimum stocks on hand will increase the time needed to get vital replacement items and repair parts.
  Proper maintenance must be performed on equipment throughout the whole spectrum of service, that is,
  before, during, and after operations.
  Organization
  5-164. R&S squadron units conduct operator level maintenance as with any other unit. Organization level
  maintenance is provided by the BSC. The R&S squadron receives organizational support from a
  maintenance team provided by the BSC. The LRSC also receives support from this BSC maintenance team.
  As a result, it is highly unlikely a LRS team conducting a mounted mission will be accompanied by a
  mechanic from the BSC. Therefore, the mounted LRS team should prepare itself to handle all operator and
  unit maintenance during a mission. In addition, some depot-level knowledge may be necessary. Team
  members regularly attend maintenance courses for the mobility platforms the unit uses.
  Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services
  5-165. The vehicles assigned to a mounted LRS team must be properly maintained and serviced. Its
  members must perform routine PMCS on their vehicles before, during, and after all operations. The
  vehicles also require regular operation. The team must perform post-operations maintenance procedures
  immediately after the conclusion of each mission.
  Desert Environmental Effects
  5-166. Several factors affect mounted operations in a desert environment:
  Rough Terrain
  5-167. Severe terrain consisting of rough, uneven ground, steep mountains, and loose sand and rocks will
  cause vibrations and result in the loosening of nuts, bolts, fuel, and hydraulic lines. It could also disrupt
  electrical components. Rough terrain can severely affect tires, wheels, transmissions, and suspension
  systems. Therefore, frequent inspections are necessary to ensure vehicles function properly and to prevent
  long downtime due to repairs.
  Sand and Dust
  5-168. The abrasive effects of sand and dust adversely affect equipment. Any moving part faces the
  probability of being damaged or impaired by sand or dust. Brakes, recoil systems, bearings, hydraulics, and
  relays are all susceptible to incapacitation by sand or dust. Also, sand and dust mixed with lubricants turns
  into an abrasive paste that can easily wear and score moving parts. Cover equipment when not in use.
  Frequent preventive maintenance will help to alleviate these problems to a manageable degree.
  Heat and Low Humidity
  5-169. Surface temperatures can reach 140 degrees and reflect heat under and into vehicles. Surface
  temperatures heat parts and accessories making them untouchable without protection. Such intense heat
  coupled with low humidity can overheat the vehicles and batteries, and can degrade the seals and tires.
  Frequent inspections, protection with covers, and regular maintenance can aid in reducing the effects of
  these environmental factors.
  Vegetation
  5-170. In some deserts, thorny and spiny plants pose a serious problem for tires, and can puncture
  radiator hoses. Use of proper individual driving techniques is the first preventive measure for stopping
  flats.
  Section IV. OTHER OPERATIONS
  The team can also be inserted by other means such as by Airborne operations, stay-behind operations, and
  foot operations.