In urban areas the use of hides are also encouraged, having an escape plan, fire team back up support plan for security reasons should the team need to be evacuated in an emergency.
Duties in the hide must be divided between the sniper & scout observer to prevent fatigue, keep them alert. Preparing range cards, observation logs maintaining the ability to communicate with command, other teams being capable to deliver precision rifle fire on select targets from a concealed position are all part of the sniper teams operational duties.
Routine mission essential task include
Observing detecting selecting priority targets, preforming range estimation, making range cards to assist in identiying determing range to a target, noting wind speed, direction. Keeping a record of activity in the observation log in the sectors of observation, drawing sketches. Reporting primary information requirements & status reports.
Preforming site security, food beverage breaks, latrine calls, rest periods while only two team members are dividing duties. Having a second designated marksman sniper team aids in preforming the duties & tasks. Most of the time unless organised in a fire team the duities are preformed by a two man sniper team in the FFP final firing postion & hide.
A sniper mission always requires the team to occupy some type of position. These positions can range from a hasty position, which a team may use for a few minutes or hours, to a more permanent position, which the team could occupy for a few days. The team should always plan to build its position during limited visibility.
The sniper positions & hides are;
Hasty Position. A hasty position is used when the sniper team is in a position for a short time & cannot construct a position due to the location of the enemy, or immediately assumes a position.
Expedient Position. When a sniper team is required to remain in position for a longer time than the hasty position can provide, an expedient position should be constructed. The expedient position lowers the sniper's silhouette as low to the ground as possible, but it still allows him to fire & observe effectively.
Belly Hide. The belly hide is similar to the expedient position, but it has overhead cover that not only protects the team from the effects of indirect fires but also allows more freedom of movement. This position can be dugout under a tree, a rock, or any available object that provides overhead protection & a concealed entrance & exit.
Semipermanent Hide. The semipermanent hide is used mostly in defensive situations. This position requires additional equipment & personnel to construct. However, it allows sniper teams to remain in place for extended periods or to be relieved in place by other sniper teams. Like the belly hide, this position can be constructed by tunneling through a knoll or under natural objects already in place.
Routines in Sniper Team Positions. Although the construction of positions may differ, the routines while in position are the same. The sniper & the observer should have a good firing platform. This gives the sniper a stable platform for the sniper weapon & the observer a platform for the optics. When rotating observation duties, the sniper weapon should remain in place, the optics are handed from one member to the other. Sniper data book, observation logs, range cards, & the radio should be placed between the team where both members have easy access to them. A system of resting, eating, & latrine calls must be arranged between the team. All latrine calls should be done during darkness, if possible. A hole should be dug to conceal any traces of latrine calls.
Urban Hides Positions
In urban terrain are quite different than positions in the field. The sniper team normally has several places to choose. These can range from inside attics to street-level positions in basements. This type of terrain is ideal for a sniper, & a sniper team can stop an enemy's advance through its area of responsibility. When constructing an urban position, the sniper team must be aware of the outside appearance of the structure.
The sniper team should not locate the position against contrasting background or in prominent buildings that automatically draw attention. It must stay in the shadows while moving, observing, & engaging targets.
The team must never fire close to a loophole. It should always back away from the hole as far as possible to hide the muzzle flash and to scatter the sound of the weapon when it fires. The snipers may be located in a different room than the loophole; however, they can make a hole through a wall to connect the rooms & fire from inside one room. The team must not fire continually from one position. More than one position should be constructed if time & situation permit. When constructing other positions, the team makes sure the target area can be observed. Sniper team positions should never be used by any personnel other than a sniper team.
Urban hide positions that can be used are the room hide, crawl space hide, & rafter hide. Sniper teams use the technique best suited for the urban hide position.
Room hide position. In a room hide position, the sniper team uses an existing room & fires through a window or loophole.
Crawl space hide position. The sniper team builds a crawl space hide position in the space between floors in multistory buildings.
Rafter hide position. The sniper team constructs a rafter hide position in the attic of an A-frame-type building. These buildings normally have shingled roofs. Firing from inside the attic around a chimney or other structure helps prevent enemy observation & fire.
Sniper teams use the technique best suited for the urban hide position.
(1) The second floor of a building is usually the best location for the position. It presents minimal dead space but provides the team more protection since passersby cannot easily spot it.
(2) Normally, a window is the best viewing aperture/loophole.
(a) If the window is dirty, do not clean it for better viewing.
(b) If curtains are prevalent in the area, do not remove those in the position. Lace or net-type curtains can be seen through from the inside, but they are difficult to see through from the outside.
(c) If strong winds blow the curtains open, staple, tack, or weight them.
(d) Firing a round through a curtain has little effect on accuracy however, ensure the muzzle is far enough away to avoid muzzle blast.
(e) When area routine indicates open curtains, follow suit. Set up well away from the loophole; however, ensure effective coverage of the assigned target area.
(3) Firing through glass should be avoided since more than one shot may be required. The team considers the following options:
(a) Break or open several windows throughout the position before occupation. This can be done during the reconnaissance phase of the operation; however, avoid drawing attention to the area.
(b) Remove or replace panes of glass with plastic.
(4) Other loopholes/viewing apertures are nearly unlimited.
Battle damage.
Drilled holes (hand drill).
Brick removal.
Loose boards/derelict houses.
(5) Positions can also be set up in attics or between the ceiling & roof.
Gable ends close to the eaves (shadow adding to concealment).
Battle damage to gables & or roof.
Loose or removed tiles, shingles, or slates.
Skylights.
(6) The sniper makes sure the bullet clears the loophole. The muzzle must be far enough from the loophole to ensure the bullet's path is not in line with the bottom of the loophole.
(7) Front drops, usually netting, may have to be changed (if the situation permits) from dark to light colors at BMNT/EENT due to sunlight or lack of sunlight into the position.
(8) If the site is not multiroomed, partitions can be made by hanging blankets or nets to separate the operating area from the rest/administrative area.
(9) If sandbags are required, they can be filled & carried inside of rucksacks or can be filled in the basement, depending on the situation/location of the position site.
(10) Always plan an escape route that leads to the objective rally point. When forced to vacate the position, the team meets the security element at the ORP. Normally, the team will not be able to leave from the same point at which it gained access; therefore, a separate escape point may be required in emergency situations. The team must consider windows (other than the viewing apertures); anchored ropes to climb down buildings, or a small, preset explosive charge situated on a wall or floor for access into adjoining rooms, buildings, or the outside.
(11) The type of uniform or camouflage to be worn by the team will be dictated by the situation, how they are employed, & area of operation. The following applies:
(a) Most often, the BDU & required equipment are worn.
(b) Urban-camouflaged uniforms can be made or purchased. Urban areas vary in color (mostly gray [cinder block]; red [brick]; white [marble]; black [granite]; or stucco, clay, or wood). Regardless of area color, uniforms should include angular-line patterns.
(c) When necessary, most woodland-patterned BDUs can be worn inside out as they are a gray or green-gray color underneath.
(d) Soft-soled shoes or boots are the preferred footwear in the urban environment.
(e) Civilian clothing can be worn (native/host country populace).
(f) Tradesmen's or construction worker's uniforms and accessories can be used.
Common sense & imagination are the sniper team's only limitation in the construction of rural & urban hide positions.
