Training for military operations or urbanized terrain
The contemporary operating environment and today’s demographics determine that most of the U.S. Arroy’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 sate (selector switch on SAFE and index finger outside of trigger guard) until a hostile target is identified and engaged. Alter 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.
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 rising 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 tip 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.