FM 17-98 SCOUT PLATOON

forces tasked with defending or securing these key points.
The decision to commit forces into urban areas may also be based on the potential threat these areas, and the human
elements in them, pose to other operations. As an example, the terrain around a built-up area may facilitate a bypass,
but the enemy force within the urban area may be able to interdict lines of communications. Scouts may be required to
enter the city as part of a larger force tasked to eliminate potential threats.
SECTION 2 — ROLE OF THE SCOUT PLATOON IN MOUT
THE DIMENSIONS OF MOUT
Scout platoons must work in four physical dimensions as they conduct reconnaissance and security tasks during
MOUT:
• The airspace over the city. Airspace provides a rapid avenue of approach into the urbanized area. While
aviation assets are unaffected by obstacles such as rubble, they must consider towers, signs, power lines, and
other obstructions to flight. Scouts can locate these obstructions and assist the commander in determining how
to use them to advantage.
• Buildings. Buildings provide cover and concealment, limit or enhance fields of observation and fire, and restrict
or block movement of ground forces.
• Streets. Streets afford avenues of approach and are the primary means for rapid ground movement in a built-up
area. Forces travelling along streets, however, are often canalized by buildings and have little space for
maneuver off of the main thoroughfares.
• Subterranean systems. These areas, which can easily be employed as avenues of approach for dismounted
elements, include subways, sewers, cellars, and utility systems. Both attacker and defender use subterranean
routes to outflank or turn enemy positions and to conduct ambushes, counterattacks, infiltration, and
sustainment operations.
NOTE: In some instances, a sizable civilian population may function as a fifth dimension to MOUT, adding
another unique set of operational considerations. The scout platoon's role in dealing with civilians is
discussed later in this section.
The scout platoon leader and his subordinates must always be aware of the impact each operational dimension may
have on their mission. For example, having to operate in one or more of the dimensions may have a significant impact
on the platoon’s ability to gather information. The decision to enter a MOUT environment may necessitate
reorganization of the scout platoon to handle the unique operational challenges.
OPERATIONS OUTSIDE THE URBAN AREA
Scout platoon operations during MOUT often begin outside the urban area. In some situations, the enemy will not be
established within the city at the onset of the campaign. Friendly forces may find themselves tasked to retain an urban
area or to deny an unoccupied city to the enemy. To accomplish this, scouts are positioned to detect threat preparations
to seize or occupy key urban terrain.
In other cases, the enemy may not currently be conducting MOUT because of military limitations or political
restrictions. The friendly commander (as well as the scout platoon leader) must realize that this situation may change
unexpectedly once restrictions are lifted or the enemy realizes he can significantly benefit from MOUT. The scout
platoon can be employed to identify preparations as the enemy force postures itself for a rapid transition to MOUT.
The commander can use this information to interdict the enemy before he can seize or occupy key urban terrain.
OPERATIONS WITHIN THE URBAN AREA
Once it has deployed within the city, the scout platoon seeks to pinpoint enemy defenses as well as undefended or
weakly held areas that can be used to bypass or isolate the threat. The following discussion focuses on some of the
operational considerations involved in the scouts’ MOUT tasks.
Exploitation of surprise and enemy weakness