INTRODUCTION
GAIN ATTENTION
The forward deployed Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs), may find themselves called upon to conduct a MOUT defensive operations throughout the urban littoral. Some likely situations include defending a port city, an American embassy near a coastline, or a foreign capital that is under siege. A well planned urban defense, executed at the right time and place can equate to mission accomplishment in protecting the United States' interests abroad.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this period of instruction is to introduce the student to the basic concepts and principles associated with the planning and execution of defensive operations in an urban environment.
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS
Ref: MCO 3501.3B
Mo369.1.12
MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
2A.15.8, 2A.15.9
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Without the aid of references and in accordance with MCWP 3-35.3, the student will demonstrate his knowledge in planning and executing defensive operations in an urban environment up to the battalion level.
ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Understand the thought process surrounding the decision to defend in an urban environment.
2. Understand the thought process involved in a decision not to defend an urban area.
3. Understand the basic concepts of defensive operations.
4. Understand how to organize a defense in an urban environment.,br>
5. Understand the importance of tactical considerations in the planning and execution of defensive operations in an urban environment.
METHOD AND MEDIA
This period of instruction will be taught through lecture aided by a Powerpoint presentation and short video clips.
TESTING
This period of instruction will be tested during practical application exercises.
TRANSITION
BODY
1. Introduction:
a. A defense properly executed at the right time and right place can lead to a military victory. If a spirited and stubborn defense persuades an attacker to abandon an attack, that alone equates to a great victory in that lives will not be loss and the city infrastructure will remain intact.
b. Forward deployed Marine Air Ground Task Forces (MAGTFs) can be quickly called upon to defend an urban area. One example is the defense of built-up areas associated with a Noncombatant Evacuation Operation (NEO). Another is the protection of an American embassy or consulate that is under attack by enemy forces or terrorists. A third is the defense of a friendly government's capital city.
2. Example Reasons to Defend a Built-up Area:
a. Denial of important strategic or political objectives to a hostile force.
b. Retention of key economic, industrial, communication, or transportation centers. In many Third World nations, one city or a portion of a city may be the center of all national resources. Specific key facilities may hold the entire nation's economic well-being.
c. Control of avenues of advance. Most avenues of advance are straddled by small towns and must be controlled by defending forces. These areas can become canalized "kill zones" targeted by combined arms.
d. Economy of force. Due to the tactical advantages of the defense, a well-trained force defending a built-up area can inflict major losses on a numerically superior attacking force.
e. Combat multiplier. Built-up areas are obstacles to mechanized forces and can force an enemy into open terrain where they can be destroyed by combined arms in an engagement area, or to canalize them into controlled kill zones within the urban area.
3. Example Reasons not to Defend a Build-up Area:
a. Unnecessary to the defensive or offensive plan: If the urban area is too far forward or to the rear of a unit's defensive sector, is isolated or is not astride an enemy's avenue of advance; a decision not to defend it may be in order.
b. Passable: If the enemy is able to isolate and bypass the defended area.
c. Inadequate structures: The structures are made of weak material and offer no real protection.
d. Adjacent dominating terrain: The adjacent terrain dominates the built-up area giving the attacker excellent observation and fields of fire into the urban area.
f. Open city: An "open city" is an urban area that is declared off limits to combatant forces. Often this is declared if a city has significant historical or religious significance or the Rules of Engagement (ROE) are so restrictive as to preclude a viable defense.
4. Defensive Concepts:
a. Defense Outside the City:
1) When terrain surrounding the urban area offers an advantage to a defender and the defending force is of sufficient strength to organize such a defense.
b. Defense Inside the City:
1) Inner defensive locations are selected when hostile forces are especially strong in long range fires.
c. Defense of a Key Sector: This form of defense may be employed when a mission requires that on a portion of an urban area be held. A NEO or defense of an American embassy or consulate are two examples of this type of operation.
d. Entrapment and Ambush:
1) This form of urban defense is preferred when the defender lacks the resources to man an in- depth defensive position.
e. Defense in Depth:
1) Defense in depth is an essential part of any defensive plan. Plan on utilizing each combined arms asset available to its greatest potential.
5. Organization of the Defense:
a. Security Area:
1) The defensive battle begins with a combined arms force conducting security operations well forward of the main defensive lines.
b. Main Battle Area:
1) The decisive engagement is fought in the main battle area.
c. Rear Area:
1) Behind the main defensive area, the rear is where supply and maintenance support is sent forward.
6. Tactical Considerations:
a. Positioning of Forces:
In towns and cities, defensive fighting positions must provide fields of fire, cover and concealment. Finding all three in any urban environment may be difficult, at best. The defender must identify the following:
1) Positions that allow suppressive fires along infiltration routes.
b. Employment of Infantry:
1) Infantry battalions and companies are normally assigned a defensive sector. However, depending on METT analysis, they may be assigned to defend from a battle position or strong point. A company may be assigned the security force mission on the outskirts of the built-up area. Regardless, the defense must have mutual support and be in-depth.
c. Employment of Armored Vehicles:
Armor should be utilized to take advantage of the vehicles main gun range. A prime role in taking advantage of this range is in using armor as part of the security force. Armor is a weapon of choice to attrite the attacking forces before they enter the urban area. After the security force mission is completed, consider falling back the armor to man mutually supporting positions tied in to a canalized "kill zone".
d. Employment of In-Direct Fire Support:
In-direct fire support planing must be comprehensive because of the proximity of buildings to targets, minimum range restrictions, and the requirement to reposition mortars and artillery pieces after a fire mission. Mortar and artillery fires are planned on top and immediately around defensive positions in order to provide close support. Mortars and artillery pieces may be used for the following missions:
1) Suppress and blind the attacker's overwatch elements.
e. Employment of Combat Engineers:
Combat engineers are employed as an attachment to the company level and may be integrated down to the squad level, as appropriate. Combat engineering tasks include:
1) Construction of obstacles and rubbling to hinder the enemy's advance and mobility.
f. Priority of Work:
1) Establish a security force and reliable communications.
QUESTIONS
SUMMARY
The MOUT Homepage Hot Links:
2) This is especially preferred if the city has historical or cultural significance and the reduction of collateral damage is a key consideration.
3) This type of defense is organized around strong points located on the outer edges of the city and is designed to engage the enemy at the maximum range of the defender's combined arms.
4) The decision to defend on the outskirts of an urban area would probably not be made if the attacking force has the advantage in aviation assets, is tank heavy, and has a decisive edge in indirect fire assets.
2) This type of defense is also selected when the attacker has a numerical advantage.
3) Security forces are placed outside the defended area to force early enemy contact, inflict maximum casualties and to attempt to deceive the approaching enemy as to the location of the main defensive area.
4) Structures on the outer edges of the city are likely to be used as a foothold by the attacker and if necessary they should be rigged for destruction by demolitions.
5) All streets and open areas leading to the inner defensive area should be mined or blocked by obstacles to canalize the attacking force into engagement areas of "kill zones."
2) This form of defense requires the preparation of blocking and ambush positions along major avenues of approach leading into and through the urban area.
3) The defending force must use mines and obstacles to canalize the attackers into engagement areas or "kill zones."
2) Defense in depth may encompass defending inside and outside the urban area.
3) The outer defense is designed to disrupt the attacker. Forces manning the outer defense then withdraw to pre-planned strong points. Once the attacking force penetrates the city, the inner defense engages the enemy in canalized kill areas.
2) The objectives of the security force are:
a) Alert the main body to the oncoming attack.
b) Delay the enemy's first echelon.
c) Initiate early engagements of the enemy force at maximum combined arms weapons range.
d) Deceive the attacker as to the true location of the main defensive position.
3) Withdrawal: The withdrawal of the security force must not result in an easing of pressure on the enemy. This transition must be accomplished smoothly to prevent the enemy from gaining momentum.
2) This area will have defensive positions in depth and when ever possible strong points.
3) The size and location of battle positions within the defensive area depends on the enemy threat and their ability to maneuver between defensive positions.
4) Anti-armor "hunter-killer" teams (much like the Chechen's used in Grozny) should be deployed as a "disruption force" on the outskirts of the urban area and along canalized "kill zone" areas within the city. This tactic has proven invaluable in disrupting urban offensive operations that are overly dependent on mechanized means of advance into a city.
2) Protection of the supporting units within this area is vital to the final outcome of the urban battle.
2) Covered and concealed routes, such as subways and sewers, for the defending forces to move along.
3) Structures that dominate large areas such as parks, wide roads, and other expansive areas.
4) Areas such as parks, boulevards, rivers, highways and railroads where the defense may best utilize anti-armor assets (longer fields of fire).
5) Firing positions for mortars.
6) Command locations that offer concealment and ease of command and control (down to the lowest levels).
7) Buildings that offer protection, have strong floors, thick walls, nonflammable materials, a strategic location, good fields of fire, are easily tied in with other buildings (mutual support), provide 360 degree protection and are stocked with adequate supplies for extended periods without resupply.
8) Mutually supporting positions and positions in depth.
2) Disrupt or destroy an assault.
3) Provide counter battery fire.
4) Support counterattacks.
5) Provide direct fire when necessary.
2) Clearing fields of fire.
3) Laying mines and booby traps.
4) Preparing routes to the rear area.
5) Preparing defensive fighting positions.
2) Assign sectors of responsibility.
3) Select and prepare initial firing positions.
4) Clear fields of fire.
5) Emplace obstacles and mines.
6) Establish and mark routes between defensive positions.
7) Improve positions - and if time permits - improve them again.
8) Establish emergency fire fighting and resupply routes.
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