Professional Documents
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PLATOON OPERATIONS
Table of Contents
1.
Introduction
2.
Fundamentals
3.
Task Organization
4.
5.
6.
7.
Appendix A
Appendix B
d.
Specialized Equipment and Personnel. Special equipment may be
needed for the Security Element /Outer Cordon mission. This equipment
includes mechanics creepers, bolt cutters, flashlights, cameras and bull horns as
an example.
e.
Security. All outer cordon elements must plan for and maintain 360
degree security. Insure that your plan includes a weapons control status,
engagement criteria, control measures, communications and the use of indirect
fire.
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Inner Cordon Techniques. The inner cordon element protects the search
element from civil disturbance and direct fire. The inner cordon also acts as the
immediate reserve for the search element. The inner cordon also reports and
observes on all activities within its immediate area of interest.
a. Task Organization. The Inner Cordon element should be organized
according to its mission analysis. Special consideration should also be given to
forming or adding Snatch Teams, Personnel Search Teams, and Tactical Human
Intelligence Teams.
b. If the cordon and search is focused on one building or requires sequential
clearing, in a company operation the entire search element will not be inside a
building and the remaining squads within the search element can perform some
of the functions or supplement the inner cordon element. For instance during an
initial breech of a target building the remaining elements of the search platoon
can provide additional support to the Support By Fire Position or the remaining
elements could assist with civil disturbance.
c. Security Team Method. In an urban setting, one method is to place
OP/LPs at each corner of the building. An advantage of this is that it prevents
anyone from getting in or escaping. One disadvantage of this method is it does
not facilitate a direct fire plan and is a potential friendly fire hazard if the
situation escalates. The Cordon and Search Commander must carefully
determine the battle handover lines between elements. See Figure 8
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6.
Search Element. There are 3 basic search methods in an urban setting; Central
Location, Home Restriction and Control Heads of Households.
a. Central Location. If the people appear hostile, assemble them in a central
location. This method provides the most control. It simplifies the search, denies
the enemy an opportunity to conceal evidence and allows for a detailed
interrogation. One disadvantage is that it can lead to further developing ill will.
When using t his technique the Cordon and Search Commander must insure that
adequate force protection is in place to prevent looting.
b. Home Restriction. This technique restricts the people to remain in their
homes and prohibits any movement of civilians. This technique is useful for
very small villages and camps. One disadvantage of t his technique is that
control and interrogation is difficult and may allow the enemy time to conceal
evidence in there home.
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7. Clear and Search a Building. The search element determines the method of
clearing the building and its based on METT-TC. Prior to executing a building
search, the building must be cleared. The search element should use ANA 7-8 Battle
Drill 6.
a.
Units should use systemic procedures to be sure that no room is
overlooked or that nothing within a room search is overlooked. Room searches should
be viewed with a multi-dimensional focus and not just at the doors and room
furniture. You must consider trap doors and ceilings as well
b.
Platoons should use there established SOPs for marking each room as it is
cleared. Leaders should also train their soldiers in tactical questioning techniques
because this is a source of actionable intelligence. Once the search is complete be
sure to put everything back in its original position.
c.
Precision clearing techniques do not replace the clearing techniques in
ANA FM 7-8 Drill. Tthey do not replace the clearing technique in which a
fragmentation or concussion grenade is thrown into a room before your forces enter.
Precision room clearing techniques are used when the tactical situation calls for room16
Use the path of least resistance. The assault team should, whenever
possible, line up on the side of the door that provides the path of least
resistance upon entering. The swinging door is an obstacle that can best
be avoided by lining up on the correct side. If the door opens inward, the
team should line up on the hinge side. If the door opens outward, the
team should line up on the doorknob side. Lining up on the correct side
will result in the fastest and smoothest entry possible. See Figure 10.
3.
4.
Signals. There are many different ways to pass the signal that
everyone is ready. If a stealthy approach to the objective
building is possible, the Thumbs back / Squeeze up technique
works well. The #1 man assumes his position on the breach point first.
His eyes and weapon are oriented on the breach point. When he feels
comfortable with his position, he will signal the #2 man by
nodding his head. The #2 man will acknowledge receipt by squeezing the
#1 mans shoulder. After he has received and acknowledged the nod of the
#1 man, the #2 man will pass the thumbs up signal back to the #3 man.
The #3 man will acknowledge by squeezing the #2 mans thumb, and will
then pass a thumbs up back to the man behind him. This will continue
until the thumbs up signal has been passed back to the last man on the
initial entry team. The last man will then squeeze forward, and each
subsequent man will send the signal forward so that all in the team are
aware that all others are prepared to enter.
5.
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2.
3.
If the enemy does not pose an immediate threat, clear with a 2 or 3
man team
When full five-man teams are not available for room clearing three- and
two-man teams can be used. The points of domination and sectors of fire for a
three-man clearing team or for a two-man team are still the same. Teams should
still insure that there are overlapping fields of fire. Leaders should still use the
entry technique outlined here when modifying their techniques.
j.
Control the Situation. The actions of the assault team control the
situation. By dominating the room and eliminating any threat, the assault team
seizes control of the room and the initiative from the enemy. No action or slow
action gives the initiative back to any enemy in the room. Friendly personnel not
engaged must also be controlled. The control measures used can be both verbal
and physical.
The team leader or a designated team member must immediately begin speaking
to any people in the room in a loud, commanding voice. He must take charge.
Verbal control may be difficult because of the loss of hearing resulting from
explosives and firearms use. Your commands should be short and to the point,
and it should be loud enough to be heard by those whose hearing may have been
damaged by the sound of gunfire and explosives.
Physical control must be firm, but not harsh. Needlessly inflicting pain on
friendly personnel may cause them to react in an unexpected manner, such as
fighting back. This means possibly losing control rather than gaining it.
Searching. Searching the dead has only one function: to ensure they no
longer pose a threat. With security, move all weapons away from the dead and
conduct an eye thump on each body to ensure they are truly dead. Insure that
you also search the living and the room. If you move something, put it back
where it belongs.
k.
l.
Reports. Once the room is secured and cleared and the search is complete,
check your personnel for ammunition ad injuries. Submit ammunition and
casualty reports through your chain of command.
m. Evacuation. Once your mission is complete, evacuate the room on
command. The cordon and search commander will decide when its time to
evacuate. Priorities for evacuation are set in t he operations order and or the
immediate situation
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APPENDIX A
Conduct a Company Cordon and Search
TASK STANDARDS: The company conducts the cordon and search in accordance
with tactical standing operating procedures, the order, and/or higher commanders
guidance. The company establishes a cordon of the designated area without being
detected by the insurgents or sympathizers. The company conducts the search and
captures all insurgents and enemy material within the cordon. The company complies
with the ROE and or ROI. The company sustains minimal casualties. The company
causes minimal collateral damage and civilian casualties.
1. Company leaders gain and/or maintain situational understanding using
information that is gathered from the headquarters communications, maps,
intelligence summaries, situation reports (SITREPs), and other available
information sources.
2. Platoon leader receives an OPORD or FRAGO and issues warning order
(WARNO) to the company.
3. Platoon leader plans using troop-leading procedures.
a.
Conducts analysis based on factors of mission, enemy, terrain
and weather, troops and support available, time available, and
civil considerations (METT-TC) and includes the following
information in his analysis:
b.
Demographics of the area and how different groups will respond
to operations based on their responsiveness to coalition
presence, religious practices, and routine civilian practices.
c.
Key facilities such as religious sanctuaries, police stations, or
hospitals.
4. Considers insurgent and/or sympathizer capabilities, likely courses of action
(COAs), and specific weapons capabilities. Considers recent activities in the
area of operation such as:
a.
Contacts. Based on recent activity, commander may request
heavy vehicle support, i.e., rocket propelled grenades (RPGs)
or mortar fire
b.
Civil disturbances
c.
Improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
5. Conducts a digital and/or conventional map reconnaissance. Company
commander considers how physical reconnaissance will influence the
mission based on the target, the area, and the threat. If physical
reconnaissance impacts the mission negatively, he avoids a physical
reconnaissance of the area just before the search and uses intelligence such
as aerial photographs, if available.
a.
Identifies search location(s)
b.
Identifies tentative security positions
c.
Identifies inner and outer-cordon boundaries and other control
measures
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6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
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15.
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31.
APPENDIX B
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TASK STANDARDS: The Platoon conducts the cordon and search in accordance
with tactical standing operating procedures, the order, and/or the Platoon leaders
guidance. The Platoon establishes a cordon of the designated area without being
detected by the insurgents or sympathizers. The Platoon conducts the search and
captures all insurgents and enemy material within the cordon. The Platoon complies
with the ROE and or ROI. The Platoon sustains minimal casualties. The Platoon
causes minimal collateral damage and civilian casualties.
1. Platoon leaders gain and/or maintain situational understanding using
information that is gathered from the headquarters communications, maps,
intelligence summaries, situation reports (SITREPs), and other available
information sources.
2. Platoon leader receives an OPORD or FRAGO and issues warning order
(WARNO) to the company.
3. Platoon leader plans using troop-leading procedures.
a. Conducts analysis based on factors of mission, enemy, terrain and
weather, troops and support available, time available, and civil
considerations (METT-TC) and includes the following information
in his analysis:
b. Demographics of the area and how different groups will respond to
operations based on their responsiveness to coalition presence,
religious practices, and routine civilian practices.
c. Key facilities such as religious sanctuaries, police stations, or
hospitals.
4. Considers insurgent and/or sympathizer capabilities, likely courses of action
(COAs), and specific weapons capabilities. Considers recent activities in the
area of operation such as:
a. Contacts. Based on recent activity, commander may request
heavy vehicle support, i.e., rocket propelled grenades (RPGs)
or mortar fire
b. Civil disturbances
c. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs)
5. Conducts a digital and/or conventional map reconnaissance. Platoon Leader
considers how physical reconnaissance will influence the mission based on
the target, the area, and the threat. If physical reconnaissance impacts the
mission negatively, he avoids a physical reconnaissance of the area just
before the search and uses intelligence such as aerial photographs, if
available.
a. Identifies search location(s)
b. Identifies tentative security positions
c. Identifies inner and outer-cordon boundaries and other control
measures
d. Identifies routes to and from the search area
e. Marks tentative dismount points on digital and conventional
maps as appropriate.
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