What is the secondary mission of a pathfinder?

• A. To establish a perimeter around the objective
• B. To communicate with the supported ground unit command post and to help control the aviation unit base airfield
• C. To conduct search and rescue operations
• D. To coordinate air strikes against enemy positions

Answer: (B)

Pathfinders insert ahead of the main force to mark and verify landing zones and to set up the link between ground forces and air assets. Their secondary mission is to communicate with the supported ground unit command post and to help control the aviation unit base airfield. This liaison ensures the ground commander gets timely information and can issue flight or landing instructions, while aircraft movements are coordinated safely—sequencing, timing, and traffic flow at the airfield. The other options describe tasks that belong to security, rescue, or offensive air power roles, which are not the pathfinder’s typical secondary duties.