View source for Reconnaissance Squad

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[[Image:ReconMarine.jpg|thumb|right|Reconnaissance Marine Squad {{Fn|2}}]]
'''Reconnaissance Squads''' were a type of [[Space Marine Legion]] squad used during the [[Great Crusade]] and [[Horus Heresy]].  

==Overview==
The eyes and ears of a Legion on the battlefield, these squads consisted of experienced Space Marines expert in operating independently and often behind enemy lines.  They were armed and equipped for the task with a variety of specialized weapons such as long-range [[Sniper Rifle]]s and [[Nemesis Bolter]]s{{Fn|3}} as well as [[auspices|sensory-auspices]] and stealth equipment.{{Fn|1}} The primary mission of Reconnaissance Squads was to perform scouting and intelligence-gathering operations, identify targets and gather information on enemy forces.  They also served as the Legion's pickets, saboteurs, raiders, and snipers where needed, and in open battle were expert in sudden flanking manoeuvres and infiltration attacks in support of their main force.{{Fn|1}}

Reconnaissance Squads differ from [[Scout]]s in that their members were drawn from fully sworn and trained [[Battle-Brother]]s, not [[Neophyte]]s{{Fn|1}}, and wore full [[Black Carapace]]-interfaced [[Power Armour]].{{Fn|3}} However they still operated alongside Scouts within Legion units, with the Neophytes acting as faster, lighter, and more mobile advance screening units while Reconnaissance Squads tended to specialize more in operating independently deep behind enemy lines for extended periods as well as conducting other special operations such as sabotage, raiding, and infiltration.{{Fn|3}}

==Notable Reconnaissance Marines==
*[[Barthusa Narek]] - [[Word Bearers]]

==See also==
*[[Vanguard Space Marine]]

==Sources==
*{{Endn|1}}: [[The Horus Heresy Book One - Betrayal]], pg. 206
*{{Endn|2}}: [http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/The_Horus_Heresy/Legiones_Astartes/Space_Marine_Legion_Army_List/Legion_Troops/Legion_Reconnaisance_Squad/LEGION_MKIV_RECON_SQUAD.html Forge World] ''(last accessed 7 August 2015)''
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Liber Hereticus]], pgs. 48-49
{{SMHeresy}}

[[Category:The Great Crusade]]
[[Category:The Horus Heresy]]
[[Category:Troops (Space Marines)]]