a. Infantry. Infantry forces have the following strengths and limitations in an urban environment:

b. Mobile Gun System. The MGS has the following strengths and limitations in an urban environment:

c. Infantry Carrier Vehicle Limitations. The ICV has the following strengths and limitations in an urban environment:

d. Limitations.

a. Employment. The MGS can support infantry during urban combat operations (Figure 6-1) by--

• Providing shock action and firepower.
• Isolating objectives with direct fire to prevent enemy withdrawal, reinforcement, or counterattack.
• Neutralizing or suppressing enemy positions with smoke, HE, and automatic weapons fire as infantry closes with and destroys the enemy.
• Assisting opposed entry of infantry into buildings when enemy fire, debris, or obstacles block doorways.
• Smashing through street barricades or reducing barricades by fire.
• Obscuring enemy observation using on-board smoke generators.
• Holding cleared portions of the objective by covering avenues of approach.
• Attacking by fire any targets designated by the infantry.
• Establishing roadblocks or checkpoints.
• Suppressing identified sniper positions.

b. Task Organization at Company Level. The SBCT infantry company has an organic MGS platoon. There are three basic techniques of task-organizing the MGS platoon for urban combat.

c. Mutual Support. Infantry ICVs and MGS teams work together to bring the maximum combat power to bear on the enemy. The infantry provides the eyes and ears of the team, locating and identifying targets for the MGSs or ICVs to engage. Infantry and ICVs move along covered and concealed routes to assault enemy elements fixed or suppressed by MGS fire. Squads provide protection for the MGS against attack by enemy infantry. Meanwhile, an MGS provides heavy, continuous supporting fires against enemy strongpoints.

d. Movement. The dismounted infantry normally leads during movement through built-up areas. The MGS vehicles and ICVs follow and provide close overwatch. If the infantry discovers an enemy position or encounters resistance, the MGS responds immediately with supporting fire to fix the enemy in place or suppress him and allow the infantry to develop the situation. After sufficient time to develop the situation or conduct short-range reconnaissance, the infantry squad leader directs the MGS to move, if necessary, and identifies specific targets for the MGS to engage.

e. Coordination. Coordination between MGSs and infantry leaders must be close and continuous. The MGS vehicle commander may need to dismount and move, accompanied by the infantry squad leader, to a position where he can see the route or target better. Everyone must understand the signals for initiating, shifting, or lifting fires. One of the greatest barriers to coordination and command and control in urban combat is the intense noise. Simple, nonverbal signals should back up verbal commands.

f. Communications. The MGS platoon leader and platoon sergeant must maintain communications with the element in direct control or the element they are supporting. Individual MGS vehicles and infantrymen communicate with one another using one or more of the following techniques:

g. Smoke. The MGS vehicle's on-board smoke generation system and its smoke grenade projectors may be used both to protect the MGS from enemy observation and to provide concealment for the infantry forces as they move across open areas or recover wounded personnel. The use of smoke must be carefully coordinated. Although the MGS vehicles' sights can see through most smoke, infantrymen are at a significant disadvantage when enveloped in dense smoke clouds. The smoke grenade launchers on the MGS provide excellent, rapidly developed local smoke clouds, but the grenades produce burning fragments that are hazardous to infantrymen near the MGS and can ignite dangerous fires in urban areas.

h. Heavy Direct Fire Support. MGS vehicles are valuable tools for helping assaulting forces isolate the objective area and seize a foothold. As the infantry then moves to clear the position and expand the foothold, the MGSs remain in their initial support-by-fire positions. When possible, MGSs should move to subsequent positions where their fires can prevent enemy reinforcement and engage enemy forces withdrawing from the objective. At this time the MGS crew must be very alert. Because of the nonlinear nature of urban battles, enemy forces may move to the rear or flanks of the now-isolated MGS vehicles and destroy them. If a small element of infantry cannot be spared to support the MGS, then vehicles should move to positions of cover and mutual support. Crews should be alert, especially for enemy infantry approaching from above, from the rear, or from the flanks.

i. Other Considerations. The following considerations also apply when operating in an urban environment:

a. Mission. The platoon leader must receive, analyze, and understand the mission before he begins planning. He and his soldiers must clearly understand the conditions of the operation--either precision or high intensity--and the ROE.

b. Enemy. Key factors that affect the platoon leader's analysis are the type of enemy force that is expected in the urban area, their probable courses of action, and the ROE. The type of threat is one factor used to determine how the platoon should be organized and how combat power should be massed to accomplish the mission.

c. Terrain. Offensive operations must be tailored to the urban environment based on a detailed analysis of each urban terrain setting, its types of built-up areas, and existing structural forms. Leaders must incorporate the following special planning considerations for an urban environment when conducting an offensive operation: (Refer to Chapter 2, FM 3-06.11, for detailed discussion of urban terrain analysis).

• Military maps that may not provide enough detail for urban terrain analysis nor reflect the underground sewer system, subways, underground water system, mass transit routes, and utility facilities. (When available, the commander should utilize building or city plans, engineering prints, aerial photographs, tourist maps, or other aids that may assist him in his analysis of the terrain.)
• Natural terrain surrounding the built-up area.
• Key and decisive terrain (stadiums, parks, sports fields, school playgrounds, public buildings, media facilities, and industrial facilities).
• Construction and structural composition of buildings.
• Confined spaces that limit observation, fields of fire, and maneuver and prevent the concentration of fires at critical points.
• Covered and concealed routes to and within the built-up area.
• Limited ability to employ maximum combat power due to the need to minimize damage and rubbling effects (based on ROE).
• Problems with conducting effective reconnaissance during conventional operations. Reconnaissance by force is the most effective reconnaissance means, ROE permitting. This method involves probing a defense with successively larger units until enemy positions are disclosed and can be successfully attacked. During unconventional (asymmetric) operations or operations under restrictive ROE, the opposite is true. Reconnaissance and security are more easily accomplished by both sides and are more difficult to prevent.
• ROE that limit the use of firepower.
• Significant numbers of civilians who may have to be evacuated, some forcibly. Civilians may hinder operations either merely by their presence or on purpose.

d. Troops Available. The platoon normally participates in an attack as part of an attacking company. In this case, the platoon may have to isolate the objective or seize a foothold. If the objective is a smaller built-up area, a platoon may be required to accomplish the entire mission independently, assigning required tasks to its squads or sections. The company mortar section normally supports the assault by providing indirect fire support. If available, towed 155-mm howitzers can use direct fire to destroy bunkers, heavy fortifications, or enemy positions in reinforced concrete buildings (Figure 6-6). The towed 155-mm howitzer may also clear or create avenues of approach. Whenever artillery is used in the direct fire role, it must be close to the infantry providing security against enemy ground attack. Prior coordination is necessary so the bulk of the field artillery unit's shells are HE. (See Chapter 10, FM 3-21.11 [FM 7-12], for a detailed discussion of assets the company commander may have available.)

e. Time. Offensive operations in built-up areas have a slower pace and operational tempo. Consider the following issues when analyzing time available for an attack in urban terrain:

f. Civil Considerations. The presence of large concentrations of civilians can greatly impede tactical operations.

a. Proper application and integration of the six requirements listed above reduces casualties and hastens accomplishment of the mission. The type of building to be assaulted, the ROE, and the nature of the surrounding urban area will determine the method of execution. For example, medium-size towns have numerous open spaces, and larger cities have high-rise apartments and industrial and transportation areas that are separated by parking areas or parks. Increased fire support is required to suppress and obscure enemy observation and fires that may be covering the open terrain and spaces between buildings. Conversely, the centers of small- and medium-sized towns, with twisting alleys and narrow roads or adjoining buildings, provide numerous covered routes that can decrease fire support requirements.

b. Platoon and squad leaders must consider the assigned task, its purpose, and the method they will use to achieve the desired results. The leader may not need to commit soldiers into a structure or close with the enemy in order to seize or gain control of a building, a group of buildings, or an area. For example, if the enemy personnel have low morale or are poorly trained, under equipped, or lack leadership, they may be convinced to surrender or depart from the premises simply by a show of force and the use of a skilled psychological operations (PSYOP) team. At the other end of the spectrum is the well-trained enemy that is prepared to defend and has the means to resist. In this case the leader may decide (ROE permitting) to concentrate his direct and indirect fire weapons and other combat support systems onto the objective area in order to neutralize the enemy without movement of the squads to conduct an assault.

a. Assault Element. The purpose of the assault element is to kill, capture, or force the withdrawal of the enemy from any urban objective and to seize key terrain. The assault element of a platoon may consist of one, two, or three squads. Squad leaders normally organize their two fire teams into two clearing teams or, in special circumstances, the squad may be kept as a single assault squad. The assault force could be divided into two clearing teams with a breaching element designated from within one or both teams. As the breaching element and one clearing team move into position at the initial entry point, the remaining clearing team provides additional fire support. Once the lead clearing team has gained a foothold in the building, the remaining clearing team enters and secures the foothold.

b. Support Element. The support element provides the support required by the assault element. Its purpose is to provide immediate suppressive fire support to enable the assault element to close with the enemy and to assist in the isolation of the building. The support element at platoon level may consist of the weapons squad and any personnel not designated as part of the assault element. This assistance includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Suppressing enemy weapons systems and obscuring the enemy's observation within the objective building(s) and adjacent structures.
• Isolating the objective building(s) with direct fires to prevent enemy withdrawal, reinforcement, or counterattack.
• Obscuring enemy observation of obstacles en route to and at the entry point to the objective during breaching operations.
• Destroying or suppressing enemy positions with direct fire weapons.
• Engaging enemy armor with antitank weapons.
• Securing cleared portions of the objective.
• Providing replacements for the assault element.
• Providing the resupply of ammunition and pyrotechnics.
• Bringing up specific equipment that the assault element could not carry in the initial assault.
• Evacuating casualties, prisoners, and civilians.

c. Breach Team. The purpose of the breach team is to clear and mark lanes through obstacles during movement and to provide the assault element with access to an urban objective. The platoon leader organizes the force to ensure that breaching teams are identified. One technique is to assign one fire team from the assault element as the breaching team. The breach can also be conducted using an attached engineer or any member of the platoon who has had additional training in breaching techniques.

a. In house-to-house and street fighting, the MGS and ICVs move along streets protected by the infantry, which clears the area of enemy antitank weapons. The MGS and ICVs can support the infantry with their 105mm, .50 cal, and MK19 fire (Figure 6-9). The MGS and ICVs also can provide smoke obscuration with the M6 smoke grenade launcher. The L8A1/A3 red phosphorus smoke grenade will last for 1 to 3 minutes, while the M76 infrared screening grenade provides obscuration for 30 to 60 seconds.

b. The assault force minimizes 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 periods of reduced visibility.
• Selecting routes that will not mask friendly suppressive fires.
• Cross open areas quickly under the concealment of smoke and suppression provided by the support element.
• Moving on rooftops not covered by enemy fires.

c. In lightly defended areas, the type of operation may dictate moving along streets and alleys without clearing all the buildings.

d. To avoid exposure on the street or to provide mutual support, the infantry squads should move through the buildings, if possible.

e. The platoon moves along streets and alleys with two squads leading, one on either side of the street, supported by MGS or ICVs in the overwatch. The squads should move using bounding overwatch to quickly locate, identify, engage, and eliminate all enemy antiarmor weapon systems.

a. Sniper or Designated Marksman. In certain situations that require precise fire, snipers or designated marksmen can provide an excellent method of isolating key areas. Skillful application of snipers can provide lethal fire while simultaneously minimizing collateral damage and noncombatant casualties.

b. Seizure of Terrain. Isolating the objective also involves seizing terrain that dominates the area so that the enemy cannot supply, reinforce, or withdraw its defenders. It also includes selecting terrain that provides the ability to place suppressive fire on the objective. (This step may be taken at the same time as securing a foothold.) If isolating the objective is the first step, speed is necessary so that the defender has no time to react.

a. Approaches. All routes to the breach and or entry point are planned in advance. The best route is confirmed and selected during the leaders' reconnaissance. The route should allow the assault element to approach the breach (entry) point from the blind side, if possible.

b. Order of March. The assault team's order of march to the breach point is determined by the method of breach and its intended actions at the breach (entry) point. This preparation must be completed prior to or in the last covered and concealed location before reaching the breach (entry) point. Establishing an order of march aids the team leader with C2 and minimizes exposure time in open areas and at the entry point. One order of march technique is to number the assault team one, two, three, and four. The number-one man always should be responsible for frontal and or door security. If the breach has been conducted prior to its arrival, the assault team quickly moves through the breach (entry) point. If a breach has not been made prior to its arrival at the breach (entry) point, and depending on the type of breach to be made, the team leader conducts the breach himself or signals forward the breach man or element. One option is to designate the squad leader as the breach man. If the breach man is part of the assault team, he will normally be the last of the four men to enter the building or room. This allows him to transition from his breaching task to his combat role. (See FM 3-06.11 for more information concerning movement and breaching methods.)

c. Conduct of the Breach.Soldiers 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. To start the violence of action needed to enter the building, consider firing into windows and doors or throwing fragmentation grenades, concussion grenades, or stun grenades into the room to be cleared, if the ROE allows. (While fragmentation and concussion grenades are effective casualty-producing weapons, the stun grenade may be used as a distraction device to provide the clearing team an extra second or two to achieve domination when entering the breach.) The rest of the squad or platoon will provide support to secure (left, right, up, and down) the assault element. Remember that the fight is three-dimensional and in 360 degrees. While it is preferable to avoid entering the room to be cleared through windows and doors, since they are usually covered by direct fire or are booby-trapped, the ROE may require using them in order to gain entry. If doors and windows are not used for the entry, the assault element must remain oriented on these danger areas as it approaches the breach location. It may need 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, the breach is conducted in such a manner as to allow the assault element to continue movement without having to wait 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 or entry point.

d. Breaching Methods. The three breaching methods discussed here are explosive, ballistic, and mechanical.

b. Breach Locations. The success of the assault element often depends on the speed with which they gain access into the building. It is important that the breach location provide the assault element with covered or concealed access, fluid entry, and the ability to be overwatched by the support element.

c. Security. Because of the three-dimensional enemy associated with urban terrain, the assault element must maintain 360-degree security during movement to the breach (entry) point. If the assault element is to stop in the vicinity of the breach (entry) point to wait for the breach element to complete its task, the support element must maintain suppressive fire to protect the assault element.

d. Assault Locations. The assault may begin from the top or bottom of the building.

e. Suppressive Fires During the Assault. The support force provides suppressive fire while the assault force systematically clears the building. It also provides suppressive fire on adjacent buildings to prevent enemy reinforcements or withdrawal. Suppressive fire may consist of firing at known and suspected enemy locations or, depending on the ROE, may include only firing at identified targets or returning fire when fired upon. The support force destroys or captures any enemy personnel trying to exit the building. The support force also must deal with civilians displaced by the assault.

f. Clearing Rooms. The platoon leader must ensure that the clearing squads carry enough room marking equipment and plainly mark cleared rooms from the friendly side IAW unit SOP (Figure 6-12). Markings must be visible to friendly units even if the operation occurs during limited visibility. The support force must understand which markings will be used and ensure that suppressive fires do not engage cleared rooms and floors. Maintaining awareness of where the assault teams are and which rooms and floors have been cleared is imperative and a key command and control function for the platoon leader.

e. Support Element. The support element isolates the building with direct and indirect fires to support the assault element's move to the breach point. The support element covers mounted avenues of approach with antiarmor weapons and covers dismounted avenues of approach with automatic weapons. It suppresses enemy fires and neutralizes enemy positions within the objective building and adjacent buildings as the breach team and assault element move into position. The support element eliminates any enemy trying to exit the building. The location of adjacent units must be considered in the emplacement of supporting fires.

f. Direction of Assault Technique of Direct Fire Planning and Control. In this technique, building numbers are assigned in a consistent pattern in relation to the direction of assault. In the example shown in Figure 6-13, the buildings are numbered consecutively, in a counterclockwise manner. Further, the sides of the buildings are color-coded consistently throughout the objective area (WHITE--direction of assault side; GREEN--right side; BLACK--rear side; RED--left side; BLUE--roof). An odd-shaped building is also shown. Note that a "four-sided" concept was retained to minimize confusion. Further designations of WHITE 1, WHITE 2, WHITE 3, and so on from left to right can be added to specify which wall will be engaged. Apertures on the buildings are also labeled consecutively using rows and columns, as shown. In the example, "OBJ 4, WHITE, window A1" is the lower left-hand window on the direction of assault side of OBJ 4. All designations are labeled in relation to the direction of assault. (See FM 34-130 for additional information on building shapes and structural labeling.)

a. Principles. The principles of precision combat are surprise, speed, and controlled violence of action. These principles do not change regardless of ROE. The three principles of precision combat are each relative to one another: successful surprise allows increased speed; controlled violence coupled with speed increases surprise.

b. Fundamentals of Clearing Operations. The fundamentals of clearing operations are the actions soldiers take while moving along confined corridors to the room to be cleared, while preparing to enter the room, during room entry and target engagement, and after contact. Team members must--

• Move tactically while securing the corridors to the room to be cleared. To prevent fatigue, noise, and interference while moving, the assault team members should minimize the equipment they carry.
• If possible, arrive undetected at the entry to the room and in the correct order of entrance, prepared to enter on a single command or signal.
• Ensure security is maintained outside the room to protect the assault team inside the room.
• 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 within the room with quick, 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. Search all enemy casualties, disarming them and segregating the wounded.

• Immediately perform a cursory search of the room and determine if a detailed search is required.
• Evacuate all wounded as quickly as possible. Friendly wounded should be evacuated as soon as they are out of direct small arms fire.
• Evacuate any friendly dead.
• Mark the room as cleared in accordance with unit tactical SOP (TSOP) using simple, clearly identifiable markings (Figure 6-12). Some common markings can include spray paint, a reflective physical training strap, chalk, engineer tape, chemical lights, and NATO marking panels. Markings may be placed on the outside of cleared floors on multistory buildings to show friendly forces the progress of the clearing operation if this will not give intelligence to enemy forces.
• Provide a SITREP in accordance with the unit TSOP when the room is cleared.
• Maintain security at all times and be prepared to react to more enemy contact at any moment. Priority must be given to the direction of attack, but rear security should not be neglected.
• Rotate clearing teams to maintain the momentum of the attack.

c. Clearing Techniques. Methods of movement, firing techniques, weapon positioning, and reflexive shooting are fundamentals used in urban combat. Employing these techniques provides an effective means of achieving success, minimizing noncombatant casualties, and conserving ammunition. Each member of the unit must understand the principles of precision combat and his part in their successful execution.

a. Consolidation Actions. Squads assume hasty defensive positions to gain security immediately after the objective has been seized or cleared. Squads that performed missions as assault elements should be prepared to assume an overwatch mission and to support another assault element. Units must guard all avenues of approach leading into their area. These may include:

• Enemy mouseholes between adjacent buildings.
• Covered routes to the building.
• Underground routes into the basement.
• Approaches over adjoining roofs.

b. Reorganization Actions. After consolidation, leaders ensure the following actions are taken:

• Resupply and redistribute ammunition.
• Mark buildings to indicate to friendly forces that they have been cleared.
• Treat and evacuate wounded personnel. Once the objective area is secure, begin evacuating noncombatants then enemy wounded.
• Treat and process EPWs.
• Segregate and safeguard noncombatants.
• Reestablish the chain of command.

a. The squad and platoon's focus for defending in an urban area is the retention of terrain. As with most defensive scenarios, the squad and platoon will defend as part of the company. The platoon will be given either a sector to defend or a battle position to occupy, and the platoon leader must construct his defense within the constraints given to him. In an urban area, the defender must take advantage of the abundant cover and concealment. He must also consider restrictions to the attacker's ability to maneuver and observe. By using the terrain and fighting from well prepared and mutually supporting positions, a defending force can delay, block, fix, or inflict heavy losses on a much larger attacking force.

b. One of the most common defensive tasks a platoon will be given during urban operations is to conduct a strongpoint defense of a building, part of a building, or a group of small buildings (Figure 6-14). The platoon's defense normally is integrated into the company's mission. The platoon leader organizes the strongpoint defense by positioning personnel and their weapons systems to maximize their capabilities. Supporting fires are incorporated into the overall defensive plan to provide depth to the engagement area

a. Occupation and Preparation of Positions. The extent of preparation the platoon is able to accomplish will depend on the amount of time available. Normally, when occupying hasty defensive positions, the platoon takes advantage of the cover and concealment already present. Given time and materials, the platoon will continue to make improvements to the positions.

b. Improving the Defense. As time permits, the leaders ensure the following improvements are accomplished:

• Cover and concealment of MGS, ICVs, and key weapons.
• Barrier and obstacle improvement.
• Improvement of primary and alternate positions.
• Preparation of supplementary positions.
• Additional movement enhancement efforts.
• Initiation of patrols.
• Improvement of camouflage.
• Continued rehearsals for counterattack and withdrawal.
• Sleep plan.

a. Priorities of Work. The general priorities of work in the urban environment should include special attention to the following:

b. Considerations. The following must be considered when establishing a defensive position.

c. Preparation. Preparation of the platoon's individual fighting positions will be conducted inside the buildings the platoon has been assigned to defend. As with all defensive positions, the leader's first task is to establish security. This normally will be in the form of an observation post located within the protection of the platoon's direct fire weapons. The OP should be manned with at least two personnel. Leaders then assign individual or two-man positions to adequately cover the sector. The squad leader will position himself to best control his squad. The platoon leader designates the level of security to be maintained. The remaining personnel continue to work preparing the defense. The leaders will continue to make improvements to the defense as time permits. (The preparation of fighting positions is discussed in detail in FM 3-06.11.)

d. Other Typical Tasks. Additional defensive preparation tasks may be required in basements, on ground floors, and on upper floors.

e. Antitank Weapons Positions. Employ antitank weapons in areas that maximize their capabilities. Position AT weapons in upper stories and in support of the MGS when possible (Figure 6-19). The need for protective positioning may require the weapon to be fired from inside of a building, from behind the cover of a building, or from behind the cover of protective terrain. Leaders should make every effort to employ antitank weapons in pairs so that the same target can be engaged from different positions Security for the crew and system is another consideration that is necessary to allow the gunner to concentrate on locating and engaging enemy armor.

f. Sniper Positions. Snipers give the platoon a force multiplier by providing an overwatch capability and by engaging enemy C2 targets. Snipers normally operate in two-man teams which provides the shooter with security and another set of eyes for observation and to locate and identify targets. Leaders should allow the snipers to select their own positions for supporting the defense. Snipers deploy in positions where they are not easily detected (Figure 6-20) and where they can provide the most benefit. (See FM 23-10 and FM 3-06.11 for more information on the employment of snipers.)

a. A platoon counterattack is planned at company level to meet each probable enemy penetration. It must be well coordinated and violently executed. Counterattacks should be directed at the enemy's flank and supported with direct and indirect fires.

b. If tank support is available, it should be used in conjunction with the ICVs and MGS to spearhead the counterattack. Tanks have the mobility, firepower, and survivability to quickly execute the counterattack mission. They are ideally suited for destroying enemy armor, heavy weapons, and fortifications with their main gun and engaging enemy infantry with their coaxial machine gun. This capability will assist the infantry in executing its part of the mission.

c. The counterattack mission is planned and coordinated as part of the defensive operation.

a. Task Organization for Tank/Mechanized Operations.

b. Weapon System Considerations. While operating in concert with armored forces, the infantry leader must be knowledgeable of the capabilities, limitations, and effects of the armor weapon systems. He must understand the dangers these systems pose to his soldiers when operating together and ensure that his soldiers are briefed about these dangers. Figure 6-22, shows the difference in the capabilities of the BFV and the M1A1/A2 tank with regard to fields of fire on urban terrain. Note that the BFV can engage a target 9 to 10 stories high at 20 meters, whereas an M1A1/A2 tank requires 90 meters.

a. Offensive Missions. During offensive operations, an engineer sapper team may be attached to the infantry platoon that is designated as the primary assault element. They may be required to conduct the following tasks in support of the infantry platoon:

• Use explosives to destroy fortifications and strong points that cannot be reduced with the maneuver unit's organic assets.
• Locate and remove mines that may hamper the unit's movement.
• Conduct breaching operations.

b. Defensive Missions. Engineers may perform the following tasks in support of the platoon during the defense of an urban area:

• Construct complex obstacle systems.
• Assist in the preparation of defensive positions and strong points.

a. Role of Mortar Units. The role of mortar units is to deliver suppressive fires to support maneuver, especially against dismounted infantry. Mortars can be used to obscure, neutralize, suppress, or illuminate during urban combat. Mortar fires inhibit enemy fires and movement, allowing friendly forces to maneuver to a position of advantage. The most common and valuable use for mortars is often harassment and interdiction fires. One of their greatest contributions is interdicting supplies, evacuation efforts, and reinforcement in the enemy rear just behind his forward defensive positions. During World War II and the recent Middle East conflicts, light mortar HE fires have been used extensively during urban combat to deny the use of streets, parks, and plazas to enemy personnel. Finally, mortars can be used, with some limitations, against light armor and structures. Effectively integrating mortar fires with dismounted maneuver is key to successful combat in an urban area.

b. Position Selection. The selection of mortar positions depends on the size of buildings, the size of the urban area, and the mission. Rubble can be used to construct a parapet for firing positions. Positions also are selected to lessen counterbattery fire

c. Communications. Initially, radio is the primary means of communication during urban combat, but an increased use of wire, messenger, and visual signals will be required. However, wire usually is the primary means of communication between the forward observers, fire support team, fire direction center, and mortars since these elements are close to each other. Also, FM radio transmissions in urban areas are likely to be erratic. Structures reduce radio ranges; however, remoting the antennas to upper floors or roofs may improve communications and enhance operator survivability The use of radio retransmissions is another technique that may apply. A practical solution is to use existing civilian systems to supplement the unit's capability, understanding that this is an unsecure method of communication.

d. Magnetic Interference. In an urban environment, all magnetic instruments are affected by surrounding structural steel, electrical cables, and automobiles. Minimum distance guidelines for the use of the M2 aiming circle (FM 23-90) are difficult to apply. To overcome this problem, an azimuth is obtained to a distant aiming point. From this azimuth, the back azimuth of the direction of fire is subtracted. The difference is indexed on the red scale and the gun manipulated until the vertical cross hair of the sight is on the aiming point. Features such as the direction of a street may be used instead of a distant aiming point.

e. High-Explosive Ammunition. During urban combat, mortar HE fires are used more than any other type of indirect fire weapon. Although mortar fires often are targeted against roads and other open areas, the natural dispersion of indirect fires will result in many hits on buildings. Leaders must use care when planning mortar fires during urban operations to minimize collateral damage.

f. Illumination. In the offense, illuminating rounds are planned to burst above the objective. If the illumination were behind the objective, the enemy troops would be in the shadows rather than in the light. In the defense, illumination is planned to burst behind friendly troops to put them in the shadows and place the enemy troops in the light. Buildings reduce the effectiveness of the illumination by creating shadows. Continuous illumination requires close coordination between the FO and FDC to produce the proper effect by bringing the illumination over the defensive positions as the enemy troops approach the buildings (Figure 6-23).

g. Special Considerations. When planning the use of mortars, commanders must consider the following:

a. When FA supports fighting in urban areas, fire support coordination measures necessary to provide adequate yet safe support must be considered carefully due to the close proximity of friendly forces to the enemy. When planning for fire support, leaders should consider the following:

• The increased cover and concealment afforded by the terrain.
• Ground observation is limited in urban areas.
• Adjusting fires is difficult since buildings block the view of adjusting rounds.
• Acquiring targets is difficult in urban terrain because the enemy has many covered and concealed positions and movement lanes.
• Forward observers must be able to determine where and how large the dead spaces are.
• The use of air burst fires is an effective means of clearing snipers from rooftops.

b. Employing artillery in the direct-fire mode to destroy fortifications should be considered, especially when assaulting well-prepared enemy positions. Also, restrictive fire support coordination measures, such as a restrictive fire area or no-fire area, may be imposed to protect civilians and critical installations.

a. Although antiarmor weapons are primarily designed to destroy armored vehicles, they also can be used to damage or destroy fortifications. Additionally, they can be used for ballistic breaching of doorways and the walls of lightly constructed buildings to create entry points. They also may be used for creating deceptions just before the assault element enters the actual initial breach (entry) point. The larger systems (TOW and Javelin) that have highly magnified day and thermal sights can be used to detect snipers and to disrupt or kill them with long-range missiles.

b. Engaging targets from an enclosure creates unique hazards. Before positioning soldiers in enclosures (combat only), leaders must consider several factors that affect safety. Only in combat, and when no other tactical option exists, should antiarmor weapons be fired from an enclosure. If antiarmor weapons must be employed this way, the enclosure must meet the following minimum requirements.

• Construction of wood or stucco buildings must be sturdy to reduce the damage that will occur.
• All objects and debris must be removed from the rear of the weapon because the backblast will cause loose objects to fly around the enclosure, possibly injuring someone.

a. Selecting Positions and Targets. Leaders will provide the sniper with the general area of operation (building or group of buildings) in which to position, but the sniper selects the best position for his specific engagements. Sniper positions should cover:

• Obstacles.
• Roofs.
• Friendly routes.
• Likely avenues of approach.
• Gaps in the final protective fires.
• Dead space.
• Other areas that may provide the enemy an advantage.

The sniper also selects numerous alternate and supplementary positions to cover his areas of responsibility. The sniper should think three-dimensionally. Because the urban environment poses a three-dimensional battle space, the sniper should anticipate the threat from any direction at any time.

b. Offensive Missions. Offensive operations carry the fight to the enemy to destroy his capability and will to fight. The sniper can prove to be a key combat multiplier by neutralizing enemy targets that threaten the success of the attack. During offensive operations snipers--

• Conduct countersniper operations.
• Overwatch movement of friendly forces and suppress enemy targets that threaten the moving forces.
• Place precision fire on enemy crew-served weapons teams and into exposed apertures of bunkers.
• Place precision fire on enemy leaders, armored vehicle drivers or commanders, FOs, RATELOS, or other designated personnel.
• Place precision fire on small, isolated, bypassed elements.
• Place precision fire on enemy forces that are withdrawing or threatening a counterattack.
• Assist in screening a flank using supplemental fires.
• Dominate key terrain by controlling access with fires.

c. Defensive Operations. When employed properly, snipers can effectively enhance a commander's defensive fire plan. After analyzing the terrain, snipers should provide the commander with recommendations for their employment. Snipers are capable of performing the following tasks during defensive operations:

• Cover obstacles, minefields, roadblocks, and pre-positioned demolitions.
• Perform counter-reconnaissance (terminate enemy reconnaissance efforts).
• Engage enemy OPs, exposed armored vehicle commanders, and AT weapons teams.
• Engage enemy vehicles' optics to degrade vision and disrupt movement.
• Engage enemy crew-served weapons.
• Disrupt follow-on units with long-range precision fire.