INTRODUCTION
GAIN ATTENTION
PURPOSE
The purpose of this period of instruction is to provide the student with the planning considerations for employing snipers in an urban environment.
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS
Ref: MCO 3501.3C
0311.6.10, 0369.5.12, SS24.01.08, PVTX 14.15, 8541.2.1, 8541.2.2
8541.2.3, 8541.2.5, 8541.2.6, 8541.2.7, 8541.2.8, 8541.2.9
MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Ref: MCO 3501.3C
2A.22, 2A.23
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
In accordance with MCWP 3-35.3 the student will be able to plan for the use of sniper operations within an urban environment.
ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Know the mission of a scout/sniper team.
2. Know the planning considerations for employing a scout/sniper team.
3. Know who controls scout/sniper teams in an urban environment.
4. Know the impact that scout/snipers can have on the enemy in an urban environment.
METHOD AND MEDIA
This period of instruction will be taught through lecture.
TESTING
This period of instruction will be tested during practical application exercises.
TRANSITION
BODY
1. In order to best understand how to use snipers in urban areas, let's take a look at what a scout/sniper is and what is his mission.
a. A scout/sniper is a Marine that is highly skilled in field craft and marksmanship. He is capable of delivering long range, precision fire at selected targets from concealed positions in support of combat operations.
b. The primary combat mission of a scout/sniper is to support combat operations by delivering precision fire at selected targets from concealed positions. He has the secondary mission of gathering information from the battlefield and reporting it for intelligence purposes.
2. General
a. Snipers are highly trained in field skills, observation, and marksmanship.
b. Factors that govern the method in which sniper teams are employed in an urban area include:
1) Natural and man-made terrain.
2) Weather.
3) Distance between forward friendly units and enemy units.
4) The enemy's degree of initiative.
5) The nature of the combat operation.
6) The general intensity of the threat level.
7) The number of snipers available.
8) The enemy's use of snipers.
c. Snipers play a vital role during MOUT. Ways in which snipers can influence combat action include:
1) The disruption of enemy morale by removing his sense of security.
2) Targeting key enemy leaders.
3) Expanding the apparent presence of friendly forces.
4) Providing detailed observation.
5) Providing valuable information on enemy activities and the urban terrain.
6) Disrupting enemy movement, observation, and infiltration.
7) Conducting counter-sniper fire.
8) Supporting friendly offensive operations by targeting key personnel, delaying enemy actions, covering avenues of approach, harassing the enemy, and directing supporting arms.
9) Supporting friendly defensive operations by preventing enemy infiltration, protecting enemy patrols, and screening flank and rear areas.
TRANSITION
1. Company Commander’s Order
The scout/sniper team leader must be present when the order is given and the commander’s intent must be clearly understood (precision fire or reconnaissance and surveillance). At the conclusion of the order a time line must be established between the company commander and the scout/sniper team leader. This is done to allow the scout/sniper team leader time to plan and coordinate and subsequently brief this plan back to the company commander. The following items must be covered in this brief:
a. Insert Time: Sniper teams must insert a minimum of 12=24 hours prior to the attack on or in an urban area. This time is used to:
1) Conduct movement into the area of operations.
2) Conduct movement into and through the city/buildings.
3) Set up hides (permanent or hasty).
4) Establish communications.
b. Insertion Method: The assets that are available to the company commander will dictate the coordination that is necessary for insert. A insert NCO should always accompany sniper teams at the insert. This is generally the STA Platoon Sergeant.
c. Actions in the Objective Area: This must be clearly stated and must include the following:
1) Security inside buildings.
2) Danger areas.
3) Actions on enemy contact.
4) Primary and alternate positions.
5) Method of entry into buildings.
d. Extraction: This must be thoroughly coordinated. The company commander must provide the following information:
1) Extract time.
2) Extract point.
3) Method of extraction.
An alternate extraction plan must also be established as battle lines within an urban area can change rapidly and often.
e. Escape and Evasion (E&E) Plan: This is normally established within the STA Platoon’s Standing Operating Procedures (SOP).
f. No Communications Plan: Due to communication “dead spots” common to urban areas, a plan must be thoroughly briefed for no communication periods. g. Reentry/Departure of Friendly Lines: This must be thoroughly understood by all involved. This is especially important if the reentry/departure will take place during time of darkness.
TRANSITION
1. Sniper teams should always conduct operations as a four man team. This sized team allows for the following:
a. Security.
b. Rotation within the hide.
c. Added capability to collect more information.
2. MOUT requires the maximum use of all available scout/sniper teams.
a. Teams should move with the company in support of an attack.
b. Teams should be inserted prior to entry into an urban area to provide advance information.
c. Teams should also be placed on the urban fringe to provide security and information.
TRANSITION
1. Each team must be allowed to operate independently allowing maximum advantage of the team’s skills and increasing the probability that they will operate undetected.
2. The team must be permitted to select their positions.
3. Sniper movement is slow and methodical. The company commander must determine his time lines based on a sniper team’s movement.
TRANSITION
1. Scout/sniper teams are best used under a centralized command. Within an infantry battalion the Intelligence Officer (S-2) generally controls the sniper teams.
2. The flow of information generated by the scout/sniper teams feeds to the Surveillance and Reconnaissance Center (SARC) and then to the S-2 who processes this information into intelligence.
3. The sniper employment officer serves as a liaison between the S-2 and the Operations Officer (S-3) in order to best advise on scout/sniper team employment.
TRANSITION
1. Scout/sniper teams can make the enemy believe that Marine infantry may be everywhere within an urban area.
2. Effective sniping can adversely affect the enemy’s feeling of security and morale within an urban area.
3. The presence of scout/snipers can hinder the enemy’s movement, create continuous personal fear, cause confusion, disrupt enemy positions, and compel the enemy to divert forces to deal with snipers.
QUESTIONS
SUMMARY
The MOUT Homepage Hot Links:
The Need for Snipers in MOUT (CALL - Somalia)
Scout/Sniper Platoon - 2nd Battalion - 23rd Marines
Sniper Country (Internet guide to sniper operations)
Police Sniper Training (Minnesota National Guard Counter Sniper School)
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