mout actd program handbook #1 experimental tactics ... - SpecOps

OMEGA TRAINING GROUP, INC.
MOUT ACTD HANDBOOK #1
EXPERIMENTAL TACTICS, TECHNIQUES, AND PROCEDURES
FOR THE INFANTRY RIFLE PLATOON AND SQUAD IN URBAN COMBAT
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c. Streets are usually avenues of approach. However, forces moving along
streets are often canalized by the buildings and have little space for off-road maneuver.
Thus, obstacles on streets in towns are usually more effective than those on roads in
open terrain since they are more difficult to bypass.
R-5, Intelligence Collection/Dissemination: Leaders should consider the use of an
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) or an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) for
overflight mapping and reconnaissance of a objective area. This will allow
reconnaissance of the objective area without the enemy learning the strength,
location, or intentions of the main element.
d. Subterranean systems that are found in some built-up areas are easily
overlooked but can be important to the outcome of operations. They include subways,
sewers, cellars, and utility systems (Figure 1-1).
1-6. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMBAT IN BUILT-UP AREAS
Urban terrain may be another operating environment but there are many conditions that
separate MOUT from other environments. The terrain is not neutral in an urban
environment; the terrain itself can be an enemy. The urban fight depends on size of the
built-up area and type of resistance. US technological advantages are often not very
useful in an urban environment. Air power may not be of any assistance to a light
infantry force fighting from building. An adept enemy will use the technique of
“hugging” American forces to deny them use of their overwhelming firepower. The
training and equipment for the fight against a mobile, armored Soviet threat in Western
Europe will not necessarily be of much use in an urban environment. The urban fight is
primarily an infantry fight, requiring significant numbers of infantry to accomplish the
mission. Urban combat is a squad/team fight. It is characterized by moment-to-moment
decisions by individual soldiers; this demonstrates the importance of ROE training. The
platoon leader needs to facilitate the squad fight by anticipating what the squad leader
needs for his fight. Unit goals have to be speed, precision, and minimization of soldiers
in close combat with the enemy. The greatest threats might be: snipers, grenade
launchers, booby traps, and antitank (AT) weapons. Soldiers can expect boobytraps on
doorways and windows and on entrances to underground passageways. This is a threedimensional
and 360-degree fight.
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VERSION 7, 1 APRIL 1999