SPMAGTF(X) MOUT Training Program of Instruction

Engineers in MOUT

INTRODUCTION

GAIN ATTENTION

PURPOSE

To provide the student with a basic understanding of engineers in an urban environment.

INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS

Ref: MCO 1510.101A

M0300.5.19, SS23.02.05, SS23.02.06, SS23.02.07, SS23.02.08, SS23.02.09, SS23.02.10
SS23.02.11, SS.23.02.12, SS23.03.02, SS23.04.01, SS23.04.02

MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Without the aid of references and in accordance with MCWP 3-17, the Marine will understand and be able to discuss and demonstrate the employment of engineers during MOUT.

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Know the organization of engineers during MOUT.
2. Know how to employ engineers in the offense during MOUT.
3. Know how to properly employ engineering assets in the defense during MOUT.

METHOD AND MEDIA

This period of instruction will be taught by the lecture method.

TESTING

This period of instruction will be tested during the practical portion of situational training exercises.

TRANSITION

BODY

1. Engineer Organization

a. The compartmentalized, closed-in nature of urban areas dictates task organization of Marine units.

b. In this environment, teams must be formed to perform specific tasks in support of small units.

c. Two-man demolition teams may be assigned to support a rifle platoon or squad. These teams may be used to breach obstacles or to blow booby traps and other explosive devices.

d. Small unit leaders must be prepared to use this type of support decisively.

2. Engineer Tasks

a. Offense

1) By nature, urban combat is a very slow and deliberate affair.
2) A well constructed urban defense will slow or stop any attack unless protective obstacles are quickly removed.
3) Properly organized and positioned engineers may reduce the delay by performing the following tasks:
a) Engineer reconnaissance – necessary to determine the level of effort required to penetrate outer and inner defenses and clear obstacles during the attack.
b) Bridge repair and construction – along critical avenues of approach.
c) Obstacle breaching – including the clearing of mines, booby traps and non-explosive obstacles.
d) Forced entry into buildings – required to assist assaulting troops into the building.
e) Demolitions or heavy equipment – may be utilized in the reduction of obstacles or strong points.
f) Helicopter landing zones – created for emergency medical evacuation and resupply missions.
g) Vital city services built or restored and the clearing and maintaining critical routes through the urban area.

b. Defense

1) With the advantage already afforded the defender, an urban defensive position can be made nearly impregnable with proper organization of the battlefield and skillful preparation on part of the engineers.
2) Streets and alleys that channel movement can be turned into a deadly maze for attacking forces.
a) Engineer preparation should begin well outside the defensive position, this includes installing minefields, craters, and other obstacles that are tied into with the security forces sectors of fire.
b) Obstacles constructed forward and between defensive positions can be used to block, fix or even turn enemy attacks.
c) Some effort must also be taken to create obstacles and traps that limit the enemies vertical (up buildings) and subterranean movement.
d) Materials such as barbed wire and tetrahedron are necessary, if not available, improvised barriers can be just as effective in most cases. Examples include CAR and CRIBS.
e) Rapid movement of reserves for the counterattack can be enhanced by engineer preparation of marked routes.
f) Engineers can give valuable technical advice on the suitability of buildings to be used as strong points.
g) Aid in the preparation of tank defensive positions.
h) Aid in the preparation of anti-tank positions – reduce the over pressure from back blast.
i) Engineers can play a vital role in the maintenance of vital city services such as water and power.
j) Engineers can play a vital role in keeping railroads, airfields and ports operational.
k) Engineers can play a vital role in preparing a defensive position immediately after friendly seizure of an area in order to defeat any enemy counterattack.

QUESTIONS

SUMMARY

The MOUT Homepage Hot Links:

Planning Engineer Support for a MOUT Attack (Engineer Magazine)

U.S. Army FM 20-32 Mine/Countermine Operations

U.S. Army FM 90-7 Combined Arms Obstacle Integration

Engineer Systems Handbook (U.S. Army Engineer School)

U.S. Army Center for Engineer Lessons Learned (CELL)

Techniques and Procedures for Route Clearance (CELL)

The "Defile" Breach: Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (CELL, restricted terrain breach)

Engineer MOUT Attack Planning Considerations for the Light Brigade Combat Team

Demining (CALL)