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
_____________________________________________________________________________
reach the top floor or roof of a building. In some cases, one soldier can
climb onto the shoulders of another and reach high enough to pull himself up.
(c) Clearing the building from the bottom up. Clearing the building from the
top down is only feasible, however, when access to an upper floor or rooftop can be
gained. Although the top-to-bottom method is preferred for clearing a building,
assaulting the bottom floor and clearing upward is a common method in all areas. In this
case, the assault team clears each room on the ground floor and then, moving up, begins
a systematic clearance of the remaining floors.
(2) Defense. Defense of an urban area is planned utilizing employment of
platoons and squads.
(a) Employment of platoons. Once the commander has decided where to
defend, he should select platoon battle positions or sectors that block or restrict the
enemy’s ability to maneuver and control key areas. Along with his primary and alternate
positions, the platoon leader normally selects one supplementary position to reorient his
defense to meet enemy threats from another direction. A platoon will normally defend a
group of small buildings or one larger building.
(b) Employment of squads. Squads are usually employed abreast so that they all
can fire toward the expected direction of attack. In a built-up area, rooms within
buildings may separate squads. Squad positions must be mutually supporting and allow
for overlapping sectors of fire, even if buildings or walls separate the positions. A
squad will normally be assigned a small building or a portion of a building to defend.
(3) Counterattacks. Platoon counterattacks are planned at company level to
meet each probable enemy penetration. They must be well coordinated and executed
violently. Preferably, counterattacks should be directed at an enemy flank and
supported with direct and indirect fire.
(a) Reasons. Platoons may be given the mission of counterattacking for one of
two reasons:
• To recapture a defensive position or a key point (destroying or ejecting an
enemy foothold).
• To stop an enemy attack (forcing him to stop and adopt a hasty defense).
(b) Requirements. Counterattacks require:
• An analysis of the probable avenues of enemy approach.
_____________________________________________________________________________
2-10
VERSION 7, 1 APRIL 1999