Disclaimer: I researched this article and posted it without thinking I may be giving the wrong impression. I do not promote crime or criminals. Some being pursued by aerial surveillance may be criminals. I wrote this article in response to a conversation I had with a friend who is a Border Patrol agent. In the BP they do a lot of “people tracking” and we were talking about that. We got on the subject of tracking with a dog and aircraft and my interest was born. If being chased by law enforcement just stop. Those who run get caught. In many ways if you run you're wasting your time. However, if the world has fallen apart, you may want these skills.
Evading Aerial Surveillance
There have been times when I did not want to be observed by satellites, aircraft, or drones such as putting in, or taking out a cache. I’m not so paranoid that I think any satellite is watching me all the time but there are times when I’d like to be sure. Drones are equipped with extremely powerful cameras which can detect people and vehicles at an altitude of several miles. Most drones are equipped with night vision, and/or infrared vision cameras, FLIR sensors. These can see human heat signatures from far away, day or night. However there are ways to hide from these things.
Colors
Studies by the military in the 1980’s concluded what we all probably already know. Natural colors, earth tones, hide better than non-natural reds and blues. Some of the most visible colors in almost any condition is blue. Even in urban settings blue is not a natural color. Blue denim is such a prevalent shade used in clothing all over the world. This should be avoided. Obviously bright shades of any color are not desired. Subdued colors will camouflage.
Shapes
The human brain has to process many things to see another person. Shapes, or lack of human shape, will fool the brain. Large indeterminable shapes are needed to hide at 100 yards or more. This is why the woodland camouflage associated with the military for so many years had large broken up shapes, with smaller random shapes and colors on top of the large ones. These smaller patterns would camouflage at shorter distances. Overdoing these shapes with too much “busyness” will make the shape stand out.
You may not be aware you are being observed due to aerial surveillance being conducted at an altitude beyond your hearing range.
Some measures reportedly used to counter infra-red and thermal imagery include the use of 'survival blankets', a sheet of foil that traps body heat (and reduces thermal signature) and water immersion (which also reduces thermal signature).
Day camouflage
Hide in the shadows of buildings or trees.
Use thick forests as natural camouflage or use camouflage nets.
Night camouflage
Hide inside buildings or under protection of trees or foliage. Do not use flashlights or vehicle spot lights, even at long distances. Drones can easily spot these during night missions.
To evade night time aerial surveillance (i.e., night vision/thermal) in an urban or suburban area, go into large buildings, under concrete bridges, under vehicles, into sewage or tunnel systems, etc.
Heat camouflage
Emergency blankets (space blankets) made of Mylar can block infrared rays. Wearing a space blanket as a poncho at night may hide your heat signature from infrared detection. Also in summer when the temperature is between 96.8°F (36°C) and 104°F (40°C), infrared cameras cannot distinguish between body and its surroundings.
Wait for bad weather. Drones have a difficult time operating in high winds, smoke, rainstorms, or heavy weather conditions.
No wireless communication. Using mobile phones or GPS-based communication will compromise your location.
Spreading reflective pieces of glass or mirrored material on a car on a roof may confuse the drone’s camera.
Decoys.
Use mannequins or human-sized dolls to mislead the drone’s reconnaissance.
General Anti-surveillance and escape and evade techniques
Changing appearance
• One’s physical appearance can be altered in a number of ways:
• Baggy or loose-fitting clothing can alter form.
• Filling out baggy clothes can make a person look larger & bulkier.
• Changing clothing style and colors (change jacket and hat if possible.)
• Changing one’s posture and pace
• Use of wigs and/or theater makeup
When thinking about counter-surveillance consider your past recent schedule and route selection.
• This identifies possible times, locations, or methods by which to evade surveillance.
• After a long time doing surveillance, operators may themselves fall victim to this routine and become vulnerable to anti surveillance actions.
Evading stakeouts
• Evading stakeouts or surveillance can be done from any location and need not begin with one’s residence.
• Public locations with multiple & even hidden exits can be used.
• Public transit can be utilized to break up surveillance teams en route to a suitable public location, etc.
Evading on foot
• In an urban environment, anti-surveillance actions carried out on foot have more likelihood of success than those done by vehicle.
• There are a limited number of areas a vehicle can travel (streets, highways, alleys, garages, etc.).
• In addition, they could have tracking devices attached, so no matter how many turns & U-turns are used, operators still know where the vehicle is.
Using weather and night (as was suggested above)
• In contrast, foot travel is almost limitless. Evading surveillance is best done at night or in bad weather (i.e., a rain-storm,), in order to limit visibility.
• In an urban setting, and in public locations, it is often the most illogical moves which can identify surveillance operators or limit their ability to follow (which may also alert operators that you are carrying out some kind of counter-surveillance actions).
These are only suggestions but some of them I have actually used and tested. Privacy is very important to me and I believe it was important to the framers of the Constitution. I have met some law enforcement officers that have a different interruption of that. I am not anti-police. But I do feel that some law enforcement officers need to understand that their job is to serve. I know that is not an easy job. It’s equally difficult to do with a public that is hostile and sometimes violent toward them. I want them to go home unharmed to their families and friends. But respect U.S. citizens privacy and do not act like we the public are to bow to your authority. I respect law enforcement. I want them to succeed. So do not get offended or take it personal when I say “I do not consent to searches.” I have been exposed to a LOT of law enforcement and I know somewhat how they work. The bad apples think I should make their job as easy as possible. Generally, I will not cooperate. I know that does not sound like I support our people in blue, but I do. I know that I am not a criminal. I may not always know whether I’ve broken the law or not, but in general I do my best to be law abiding. So please treat me as if I AM innocent until proven guilty. I know that dealing with the dregs of society can make you suspicious and cynical about the world. As a military member I can understand that mindset. Leaving a combat zone makes you very jumpy. Law enforcement work in that “combat zone”. But as a soldier, an officer of the law must conform to real life. Most people are not criminals. You must come to grips with this and rely on your instincts. But be real about it. Just because someone doesn’t want a ticket doesn’t mean they will rob a liquor store. It’s hard coming out of a red zone to not look for an enemy behind every wall and bush, but realize that most people are not drug dealers. Even if they smoke a doobie once in a while. I do not agree with using weed, but do I speed on occasion? Probably.
E and E can be an important skill to learn. You can practice in the form of a game.
This is a Boy Scout stalking game called “Shadowing”
A Patrol is told off to shadow a party of the enemy, who are advancing through the country (consisting of another patrol or the rest of the troop). The patrol told off to shadow the rest must follow on as closely as possible, but it is best to send on one or two Scouts ahead, to signal when it is safe to advance. As soon as the enemy see a Scout shadowing them they can give chase, and if they overtake him he is a prisoner, and has to march with the main body. They can also split up into two parties and join again further on, or leave some behind in ambush. It is only necessary to touch the shadowers to make them prisoners. If they cannot throw them off their tracks within a certain distance (two miles or so), or else capture more than half of them, they must own themselves defeated; and then another patrol takes the place of the shadowers. (This can be practiced along a route march-it has the advantage of always covering fresh ground in the advance.)
There are other Boy Scout games similar that can hone your skills. I’ve played many with my Scouts over the years. The games can be altered to meet your needs better.
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
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