PRTF means Personnel Recovery Task Force. Within the NATO PR framework, it denotes the forces assembled for a specific recovery mission. They are intended to locate isolated personnel, confirm their identity, protect them against hostile threats and pick them up. The force must also protect itself and provide command, communications and medical support.
A force assembled for a specific mission
The size of a PRTF may range from a single recovery vehicle to numerous air, land and sea elements working together. The same forces may perform several tasks; each function does not necessarily require its own element.
Forces intended for recovery may already be on standby. Alternatively, a PRTF may be assembled from suitable forces and tasked when needed. The joint commander or a subordinate command designates and tasks the force. The term therefore describes the forces committed to the mission, not automatically a permanent unit.
Locating, protection and pickup
Locating establishes where the isolated personnel are. Authentication confirms that the forces are actually in contact with the people being sought. At the same time, the PRTF must protect isolated personnel and itself against threats. Command and communications connect these tasks while pickup is prepared and conducted.
The Recovery Vehicle conducting pickup may be an aircraft, a ground vehicle or a maritime platform. An accompanying ground team may establish direct contact, identify or authenticate the personnel and bring them to the recovery platform. If necessary, it provides immediate medical assistance at the pickup site and during transport.
Possible PRTF elements
| Element | Role within the force |
|---|---|
| Recovery Vehicle | Picks up and transports isolated personnel; several recovery platforms may be used depending on the mission. |
| Ground Operations Team | Establishes physical contact, checks identity and helps bring personnel to the recovery platform; may provide immediate medical assistance. |
| Rescue Escort | Protects recovery forces through reconnaissance and fire support; may also support communications and help locate and authenticate personnel. |
| Rescue Combat Air Patrol | Establishes a favourable air situation or local air superiority and protects against airborne threats; may establish contact with isolated personnel. |
An escort may consist of air, land or sea assets. A Rescue Combat Air Patrol, by contrast, performs a specific task in the airspace. Medical support forms part of the force but does not have to be provided by a separate vehicle.
Command by the PRTF Commander and RMC
The joint or supported commander appoints the PRTF commander, who plans, coordinates and conducts the mission. In the NATO model, this person is usually also the Rescue Mission Commander (RMC). The RMC exercises tactical control over the forces assigned to pickup and assumes On-scene Commander (OSC) duties in the objective area during recovery.
An OSC may already be operating on scene and maintaining contact with isolated personnel before further recovery forces arrive. The OSC hands over to a suitable RMC once that person can take command of the recovery.
French terminology and provision of forces
In the French PR model, the PRTF is called a force de récupération. The model distinguishes dedicated forces trained and equipped for PR, whose primary mission is recovery, from forces designated for PR that have other primary missions. The latter may be assigned during planning or in response to an isolation event.
The French force may include support beyond the recovery and extraction elements: reconnaissance, escort, securing the airspace, suppression of enemy air defences, fire support, air-to-air refuelling, electronic support and medical forces. Which are needed depends on the threat and accepted risk.