Training for Military Opera Training for Military Opera tions on Urbanized Terrain

The contemporary operating environment and today’s demographics determine that most of the U. S. Army’s battles will be fought in major cities around the world. Our enemies realize they cannot defeat us on an open battlefield dominated by macro-terrain; therefore, they drag us into cities dominated by micro-terrain, taking the fight to the squad level, immensely increasing the value of squad-level training. The 1st Armor Training Brigade (1ATB) trains the basic fundamentals of urban combat, which is the foundation for surviving urban conflict. To increase soldier effectiveness and survivability, 1ATB has tailored squad-level training based on the Warrior tasks and battle drills, which include performing movement techniques during urban operations, entering a building during urban operations, improvised explosive device detection and defeat, and urban operations target engagement. This training is primarily performed at the 1ATB’s military operations on urbanized terrain (MOUT) site, and is designed to train new soldiers and trainers in the basics of urban operations. This training provides new soldiers the basics of urban operations, which they can successfully build on once they arrive at their unit. These skills teach soldiers how to fight and survive in the micro-terrain of the urban environment. The Room-Clearing Team The most important skills taught at 1ATB are individual skills, which include weapons carrying, room entry, and actions in a room. As in all combat situations, the clearing team members must move tactically and safely. Individuals who are part of a clearing team must move as a team using synchronized doctrinal techniques:

• When moving, team members maintain muzzle awareness by holding weapons with the muzzle pointed in the direction of travel. Soldiers keep the butt of the rifle in the pocket of their shoulder, with the muzzle slightly down to allow unobstructed vision. Soldiers keep both eyes open and swing the muzzle as they turn their head so the rifle is always aimed where the soldier is looking. This procedure allows soldiers to see what or who is entering their lines of fire.

• Team members avoid flagging (leading) with the weapon when working around windows, doors, corners, or areas where obstacles must be negotiated. Flagging the weapon gives advance warning to anyone looking in the soldier’s direction, making it easier for an enemy to grab the weapon.

• Team members should keep weapons on safe (selector switch on SAFE and index finger outside of trigger guard) until a hostile target is identified and engaged. After a team member clears his sector of all targets, he returns his weapon to the SAFE position.

• If a soldier has a weapons malfunction during room clearing, he should immediately announce “gun down” and drop to one knee and conduct immediate action to reduce the malfunction. The other members of the team should engage targets in his sector. Once the weapon is operational, he should announce “gun up” and remain in the kneeling position until directed to stand by the team leader.1 Precision Room-Clearing Techniques The urban operations training curriculum also includes precision clearing techniques. These techniques do not replace other techniques currently being used to clear buildings and rooms during high-intensity combat. Specifically, they do not replace the clearing technique in which a fragmentation or concussion grenade is thrown into a room before friendly forces enter. We simply cannot use fragmentation or concussion grenades at 1ATB’s MOUT site. We can train with dummy grenades, but the effects will not be part of the training; therefore, the training is not to standard.

• Generally, if a room or building is occupied by an alerted enemy force that is determined to resist, and if most or all noncombatants are clear, overwhelming firepower should be employed to avoid friendly casualties. In such a situation, supporting fires, demolitions, and fragmentation grenades should be used to neutralize a space before friendly troops enter.

• In some combat situations, using heavy supporting fires and demolitions would cause unacceptable collateral damage or would unnecessarily slow the unit’s movement. In other situations, often during stability and support operations, enemy combatants are so intermixed with noncombatants that friendly forces cannot, in good conscience, use all available supporting fires. Room-by-room clearing may be necessary. At such times, precision room-clearing techniques are most appropriate.2 Principles of Precision Room Clearing Close quarter battle (CQB) is a method of conducting room combat. MOUT refers to urban warfare, but while MOUT refers to the fight mainly in macro-terrain (maneuvering troops, using heavy armored fighting vehicles, and battle management), CQB refers to micro-terrain; namely, how a small squad of troops should fight in rooms or confined spaces within an urban environment. Battles that occur at close quarters, such as rooms or hallways, must be planned and executed with care. Units must train, practice, and rehearse precision room-clearing techniques until each fire team and squad operates smoothly. Each unit member must understand the principles of precision room clearing, which include surprise, speed, and controlled violence of action:

• Surprise. Surprise is the key to a successful assault at close quarters. The fire team or squad clearing the room must achieve surprise, if only for seconds, by deceiving, distracting, or startling the enemy. Sometimes stun grenades may be used to achieve surprise. These are more effective against a nonalert, poorly trained enemy than against alert, well-trained soldiers.

• Speed. Speed provides a measure of security to the clearing unit. It allows soldiers to use the first few vital seconds provided by surprise to their maximum advantage. In precision room clearing, speed is not how fast soldiers enter the room; it is how fast the threat is eliminated and the room is cleared.

• Controlled violence of action. Controlled violence of action eliminates or neutralizes the enemy while giving him the least chance of inflicting friendly casualties. It is not limited to the application of firepower only, but also involves a soldier mind-set of complete domination. Each of the principles of precision room clearing has a synergistic relationship to the others. Controlled violence, coupled with speed, increases surprise. Hence, successful surprise allows increased speed.3 Fundamentals of Precision Room Clearing The ten fundamentals of precision room clearing address actions soldiers take when moving along confined corridors to the room to be cleared, preparing to enter the room, during room entry and target engagement, and after contact. Team members: Precision room-clearing techniques are used when the tactical situation requires room-by-room clearing of a relatively intact building in which enemy combatants and noncombatants may be intermixed. To clear a building methodically, rather than using overwhelming firepower to eliminate or neutralize all its inhabitants, increases risk and must be carefully and doctrinally executed:

• Compared to the deliberate attack represented by high-intensity room-clearing techniques, precision room-clearing techniques are conceptually similar to a reconnaissance in force or an infiltration attack. During a reconnaissance in force, the friendly unit seeks to determine the enemy's locations, dispositions, strength, and intentions. Once the enemy is located, the friendly force is fully prepared to engage and destroy it, especially if surprise is achieved. The friendly force retains the option of not employing preparatory fires (fragmentation and or concussion grenades) if they are not called for (the enemy is not in the room) or if they are inappropriate (there are noncombatants present). The attacking unit may choose to create a diversion (use a stun grenade) to momentarily distract the defender while they enter and seize the objective.

• The determination of which techniques to employ is up to the leader on the scene and is based on his analysis of existing mission, enemy, terrain, troops, time, and civilians (METT-TC) conditions. The deliberate attack (high-intensity techniques), with its devastating suppressive and preparatory fires, neutralizes everyone in the room and is less dangerous to the clearing team. The reconnaissance in force (precision techniques) conserves ammunition, reduces damage, and minimizes the chance of noncombatant casualties. Unfortunately, even when well executed, it is very stressful and hazardous for friendly troops.

• Certain precision room-clearing techniques, such as methods of squad and fire team movement, various firing stances, weapon positioning, and reflexive shooting, are useful for all combat in confined areas. Other techniques, such as entering a room without first neutralizing known enemy occupants by fire or explosives, are appropriate in only limited tactical situations. “The mechanical breach requires increased physical exertion by one or more soldiers using hand tools such as axes, saws, crowbars, hooligan tools, or sledgehammers. The mechanical breach is not a preferred primary breaching method because it can be time-consuming and defeat the element of surprise. However, the rules of engagement (ROE) and situation may require using these tools, so soldiers should be proficient in their use.” 28 —

• Move tactically and silently while securing the corridors to the room to be cleared.

• Carry only the minimum amount of equipment. (Rucksacks and loose items carried by soldiers tire them, slow their pace, and cause noise.)

• Arrive undetected at the entry to the room in the correct order of entrance, prepared to enter on a single command.

• Enter quickly and dominate the room. Move immediately to positions that allow complete control of the room and provide unobstructed fields of fire.

• Eliminate all enemy in the room by fast, accurate, and discriminating fires.

• Gain and maintain immediate control of the situation and all personnel in the room.

• Confirm whether enemy casualties are wounded or dead. Disarm, segregate, and treat the wounded. Search all enemy casualties.

• Perform a cursory search of the room. Determine if a detailed search is required.

• Evacuate all wounded and any friendly dead.

• Mark the room as cleared using a simple, clearly identifiable marking in accordance with the unit SOP.

• Maintain security and be prepared to react to more enemy contact at any moment. Do not neglect rear security.4 Precision room-clearing techniques are designed to be executed by the standard four-man fire team. Because of the confined spaces typical of building- and room-clearing operations, units larger than squads quickly become unwieldy. When shortages of personnel demand, room clearing can be conducted with two-or three-man teams, but four-man teams are preferred. Using fewer personnel greatly increases combat strain and risks.5 Conducting the Breach The team may be fighting just to get to the breach point; therefore, proper fire and movement will be required all the way to the breach (entry) point. The rest of the squad/platoon will provide support to secure (left, right, up, and down) the clearing team. Remember that the fight is three-dimensional and 360 degrees. If doors and windows are not used for entry, the team must remain oriented on these danger areas as they approach the breach location. The team may be required to augment or create obscuration with hand-held smoke, but must remember not to mask the fires of the support element or obscure the breach (entry) point from friendly observation and fires. If possible, conduct the breach to allow the team to continue movement without waiting at the breach (entry) point. Deception should be used to confuse the enemy as to the location of the primary entry point. This can be achieved by using fragmentation grenades, concussion grenades, or stun grenades in an area other than the actual breach/entry point. The two different types of breaching methods discussed in this article include mechanical and ballistic:6 Mechanical breach. The mechanical breach requires increased physical exertion by one or more soldiers using hand tools such as axes, saws, crowbars, hooligan tools, or sledgehammers. The mechanical breach is not a preferred primary breaching method because it can be time-consuming and defeat the element of surprise. However, the rules of engagement (ROE) and situation may require using these tools, so soldiers should be proficient in their use. Ballistic breach. This method requires using a weapon to fire a projectile at the breach point. This is not a technique trained at 1ATB, but it is simulated. For exterior walls, using a tank or an artillery piece in the direct-fire role is ideal if the structure will support it and if ROE permits. The main gun of an M1 tank is very effective when using HEAT rounds; however, sabot rounds rarely produce the desired effect because of their penetrating power. The 12-gauge shotgun breaching round is effective on doorknobs and hinges, while standard small arms (5.56mm and 7.62mm) are proven to be virtually ineffective for breaching. Because of their ricochet and shoot-through potential, small arms should not be used except as a last resort. Ballistic breaching of walls by shotgun fire is normally an alternate means of gaining entry. In most cases, ballistic breaching should not be considered the primary method for gaining initial entry into a structure because it is not a positive means of gaining entry. It may not provide the surprise, speed, and violence of action necessary to minimize friendly losses on initial entry. In certain situations, ballistic breaching may become necessary as aback-up entry method. A misfire of an explosive charge or the compromise of the team during its approach to the target may necessitate the use of ballistic breaching as a means of initial entry into the structure. Ballistic breaching may have to be followed up with a fragmentation, concussion, or stun grenade before entry. Once initial entry is gained, shotgun ballistic breaching may become the primary method for gaining access to subsequent rooms within the structure. Surprise is lost on initial entry and other breaching methods are often too slow and tend to slow the momentum of the team. If a door must be used for entry, several techniques can be used to open the door. Doors should be considered a fatal funnel because they are usually covered by fire or they may be booby-trapped.7 Breach locations. The success of the team often depends on the speed with which they gain access to the building. It is important that the breach location provide the team with covered or concealed access, fluid entry, and the ability to be overwatched by the support element. “If there is a staircase in the building, it must be cleared. This involves the first man in the stack moving up the staircase and orienting his weapon toward the top of the stairs, pieing the staircase. The next man orients his weapon in the direction of any railings or overhangs. The third man orients his weapon up and looks for any niches along the staircase where an enemy can hide. The fourth continues to cover the rear while the third man continues searching for hidden niches and enemy locations.” — 29

Once a breach is accomplished, the next skill taught is the room-clearing drill. CQB procedures are those actions necessary to dominate a target site and eliminate the threat posed by the targets. There are two methods of entry in CQB; each has advantages and disadvantages, depending on the mission. Slow and deliberate method (typical OIF entry). Most building-clearing operations are conducted slowly and deliberately. This affords the highest degree of safety and security for soldiers. This is a stop-and-go movement, using static or limited penetration tactics for conventional room clearing. Dynamic entry (typically used in military operations or hostage rescue in police operations). Dynamic entry tactics must be more rapid and aggressive than conventional tactics, if the team is going to reach the target in time to save lives. Ideally, the assault is a continuous flow, using overwhelming force that does not stop until the threat is eliminated and the crisis site is under team control. Personnel should be trained to maintain muzzle awareness at all times. They should never get into the stack with a weapon muzzle pointing at another team member. This is why weapons must be carried at a low or high carry with fingers outside the trigger well. When entering, the team should, whenever possible, line up on the side of the door that provides the path of least resistance. The swinging door is an obstacle that can best be avoided by lining up on the correct side. If the door opens inward, the team should line up on the hinge side. If the door opens outward, the team should line up on the doorknob side. Lining up on the correct side results in the fastest and smoothest entry possible.8 The following are specific rules of room clearing that must be followed for the team to survive and be successful in clearing operations: Enter the doorway. As each team member makes entry through the breaching point, he must not stop or delay; he should continue to move out of the doorway to his respective sector so he is not silhouetted or backlit from the door. Clear immediate threat area. Each individual will clear the immediate threat area, within two meters, in the direction he is moving. The team is identifying hostile persons and physically clearing any obstructions that may impede entry by the rest of the team. This function is performed while individual team members move in their respective lanes. Clear the corners. The corners nearest to the entry point are the most dangerous part of the room; the first step into the room places the near corners behind you. Therefore, those corners must be cleared immediately on entry. The first two team members to enter the room will generally be responsible for clearing the corners. These team members will scan the immediate threat area as they are entering the room, then immediately shift focus and muzzles to their respective corners as they are traveling in their lanes. Depending on the room’s size and the door’s location, they may or may not move beyond the corners before pivoting to cover the center of the room. (See Figure 1.)9 Move to points of domination. Points of domination are locations inside the room where team members can cover and control all personnel (targets, innocents, and unknowns) in that room. Each team member who enters the room on initial entry will assume a position of domination after clearing his sector. (See Figure 2.)10 Establish overlapping fields of fire. Overlapping fields of fire are achieved when each team member has cleared his sector, stopped his movement at a point of domination, and can safely scan the majority of the room without covering his teammates with the muzzle of his weapon. This provides continuous coverage of team members and threat areas. (See Figure 3.)11 1 2 3 4 1 4 2 3 1 4 2 3 4 2 3 1 Figure 1 Figure 2 30 — Figure 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 (Center door) (Corner door)

If there is a staircase in the building, it must be cleared. This involves the first man in the stack moving up the staircase and orienting his weapon toward the top of the stairs, pieing the staircase. The next man orients his weapon in the direction of any railings or overhangs. The third man orients his weapon up and looks for any niches along the staircase where an enemy can hide. The fourth continues to cover the rear while the third man continues searching for hidden niches and enemy locations. Once the building is clear, the next fundamental module is training movement from building to building. This is an important skill because it is the most dangerous operation — too many different angles from which the team can receive fire and streets that are essentially murder holes. During movement in an urban environment, three-dimensional awareness is paramount. Overwatch is the most important aspect of movement across open areas. Avoid areas, such as streets, alleys, and parks, whenever possible because they are natural kill zones for enemy crew-served weapons. If soldiers must cross an open area, reduce risk by taking the following basic precautions:

• Make a visual reconnaissance of the area and position.

• Select a route that has some cover or concealment. If none is available, use smoke or covering fire provided by the rest of the element.

• Move by the most direct route to the selected position to reduce the time of exposure to enemy fire. Also, moving rapidly denies the enemy the chance to place well-aimed shots.

• Move from position to position without masking covering fires. When individual team members reach their next position, they must be ready to cover the movement of other team members. (See Figure 4.)12 Move two or more soldiers. When two or more soldiers must simultaneously move to another position, the group must position to move, and on a planned signal, simultaneously move across the open area to the next position about 5 meters apart.13 Movement in an urban environment requires the assault team (squad or platoon) to minimize the effects of the enemy’s defensive fires during movement by:

• Using covered and concealed routes.

• Moving only after enemy fires have been suppressed or enemy observation obscured.

• Moving at night or during other periods of reduced visibility.

• Selecting routes that will not mask friendly suppressive fires.

• Crossing open areas quickly under concealment of smoke and suppressive fires.

• Moving on rooftops not covered by enemy fires. In lightly defended areas, the type of operation may dictate moving along streets and alleys without clearing all the buildings. The squads move along streets Figure 4 and alleys on one side of the street supported by an overwatching element; each man is assigned a specific sector to observe and cover. To avoid exposure on the street or to provide mutual support, the squads should move through buildings, if possible.14 Once the team has reached the building, breaching is the usual method of entry; however, it is not the only method of entry. A window is the second most likely entry point. Regardless of the technique used to gain entry, if the breach location restricts fundamental movement into the room or building, local or immediate support must be used until the team is self-sufficient. For example, when a soldier moves through a window and into a room, he may not be in a position to engage a threat; therefore, another window with access to the same room is used to overwatch the lead clearing team’s movement into the room. The overwatching element can come from the initial clearing team or from the team designated to enter the breach location second. — 31 Figure 5

Getting into a building involves teamwork. The first soldier braces his back or side against the building. He then cups his hands together to assist the second soldier. The second soldier moves forward and places his foot inside of the first soldier’s cupped hands. The first soldier then lifts the second soldier up to the opened window. Once the first soldier reaches the point of entry, he enters, keeping the lowest silhouette possible. If more soldiers are involved, two soldiers, facing each other, hold a support such as aboard or tree limb. The third soldier climbs onto the support. Once both of the climber’s feet are on the support, the two base soldiers raise the support, pushing the third soldier upward and into the entrance. (See Figure 5.)15 Once the soldier is inside the window, he should move along the wall as closely as possible to deny an enemy soldier inside the building the chance to fire at him. Using all available cover and concealment, the soldier should move with a low silhouette, and advance rapidly from position to position. If the soldier has smoke, he should use it. Whenever possible, he should move into the shadows, which helps conceal movement. When moving past first-floor windows, soldiers must remain aware that windows are danger points. Most first-floor windows are head high, and an unsuspecting soldier will expose his head, giving the enemy an excellent shot from cover. The correct way for a soldier to pass first-floor windows is to stay as close to the wall as possible, and when he reaches the window, he should duck his head well below the window sill. Soldiers should always take extra precautions to avoid silhouetting their reflections in a window. (See Figure 6.)16 Soldiers should never just walk or run past abasement window, their legs present a good target to an enemy gunner inside the building. Soldiers should stay as close to the building as possible when passing abasement window; when approaching the window, they should step or jump above and across the window without exposing their legs.17 It is best to avoid windows altogether because an enemy hiding inside the building cannot be easily seen through a window, but can easily monitor movement past them. (See Figure 7.)18 The 1ATB remains committed to providing highly developed training, which will better prepare soldiers for the contemporary operating environment. All 1ATB training is geared toward developing skilled warriors prepared to face today’s challenges with the confidence of a well-prepared warrior. It also provides gaining unit commanders a certain guarantee that these soldiers are well trained and ready to soldier. Notes 1Headquarters, Department of the Army, U. S. Army Field Manual (FM) 3-06.11, Combined Arms Operations in Urban Terrain, Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, D. C., 28 February 2002, p. 3-22. 2Ibid., p. 3-23. 3Ibid. p. 3-24. 4Ibid. 5Ibid. 6FM 7-8, Infantry Rifle Platoon and Squad, GPO, Washington, D. C., 22 April 1992, Change 1, 1 March 2001, pp. 6-16, 6-17. 7Ibid., pp. 6-18, 6-19. 8FM 3-06.20, Cordon and Search Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Cordon and Search Operations, GPO, Washington, D. C., 25 April 2006, p. III-25. 9FM 3-06.11, p. 3-30. 10Ibid., p. 3-34. 11Ibid., p. 3-32. 12Headquarters, Department of the Army, Soldier Training Publication (STP) 21-1-Soldier’s Manual of Common Tasks (SMCT) Warrior Skill Level 1, GPO, Washington, D. C., 2 October 2006, pp. 3-140, 3-141. 13Ibid., pp. 3-141. 14FM 7-8, p. 6-9. 15STP 21-1-SMCT, pp. 3-147, 3-148. 16Ibid., p. 3-142. 17Ibid. 18Ibid., p. 3-143. Captain Anthony Rose is the commander, A Company, 3d Battalion, 81st Armor, 1st Armor Training Brigade, Fort Knox, KY. He received a B. A. from Walsh University and is currently an M. A. student at the American Military University Land Warfare. His military education includes Officer Candidate School, Armor Officers Basic Course, and Armor Captains Career Course. He has served in various command and staff positions, to include S3, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (1CD), Fort Hood, TX; officer in charge, civil-military operations center (OIF), 1st Squadron, 12th Cavalry (1-12 Cavalry), 1CD, Fort Hood; battle captain (OIF), 1-12 Cavalry, 1CD, Fort Hood; and platoon leader, C Troop, 1-12th Cavalry, Fort Hood. Staff Sergeant Travus Brandon is currently serving as a team chief, A Company, 3d Battalion, 81st Armor, 1st Armor Training Brigade, Fort Knox, KY. His military education includes the Warrior Leaders Course and Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course. He has served in various command and staff positions, to include section sergeant, A Troop, 1st Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Carson, CO; and section sergeant, A Troop, 1st Squadron, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Polk, LA. Figure 7 Figure 6 32 —