CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT TECHNIQUES - GlobalSecurity.org

1 * APPENDIX KCLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT TECHNIQUESA large portion of COMBAT in built-up areas takes place at very closequarters, often between small groups of combatants within the confinesof a single room. Because of this, individual COMBAT actions can flareup quickly and be over in a matter of seconds. Success or failure isopen determined by life or death decisions made and actions takenalmost instinctively by individual soldiers and small teams as theyencounter differing complex situations in each new room. One of thecomplexities often encountered particularly during OOTW, is theintermixing of combatants with noncombatants in the same building,often in the same rooms. Employing CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT techniquesis open the most effective means of achieving victory w bile minimizingfriendly losses, avoiding unnecessary noncombatant casualties, andconserving ammunition and demolitions for subsequent BATTLE DRILLS AND CLOSE QUARTERS COMBATC lose QUARTERS COMBAT TECHNIQUES do not replace battle drills.

2 They aretechniques to be used when the tactical situation calls for room-by-roomclearing of a relatively intact building in which enemy combatants andnoncombatants may be intermixed. These TECHNIQUES involve increased risk inorder to clear a building methodically, rather than using overwhelmingfirepower to neutralize all its inhabitants. Certain CLOSE QUARTERS combattechniques, such as methods of movement, firing stances, weapon positioning,and reflexive shooting, are useful for all COMBAT in confined areas. Othertechniques, such as entering a room without first neutralizing known enemyoccupants, are appropriate in only some tactical situations.

3 Generally, if aroom or building is occupied by an alerted enemy force that is determined toresist, and if most or all noncombatants are clear, overwhelming firepowershould be employed to avoid friendly casualties. In such a situation,supporting fires, demolitions, and fragmentation grenades should be used toneutralize a space before friendly troops enter. In some COMBAT situations,however, the use of heavy supporting fires and demolitions would causeunacceptable collateral damage. In other situations, often during OOTW,enemy combatants are so intermixed with noncombatants that US forcescannot in good conscience use all their available supporting fires, androom-by-room clearing may be necessary.

4 At such times, CLOSE quarterscombat TECHNIQUES are most PRINCIPLES OF CLOSE QUARTERS COMBATAs in all other military operations, battles that occur at CLOSE QUARTERS , such aswithin a room or hallway, must be planned and executed with care. Units mustK-1C1, FM 90-10-1train, practice, and rehearse CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT TECHNIQUES until each fireteam and squad operates smoothly as a team. Each member of the unit mustunderstand the principles of CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT and the part his actions playin their successful execution. The principles of CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT aresurprise, speed, and controlled violent Surprise is the key to a successful assault at CLOSE QUARTERS .

5 The fire teamor squad c1earing the room must achieve surprise, if only for seconds, bydeceiving, distracting, or startling the enemy. Sometimes stun or flashgrenades may be used to achieve surprise. These are more effective against anonalert, poorly trained enemy than against alert, well-trained Speed provides a measure of security to the clearing unit. Speed letssoldiers use the first few vital seconds provided by surprise to their maximumadvantage. In CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT , speed does not mean incautious haste. Itcan best be described as carefull hurry. c. Controlled violent action eliminates or neutralizes the enemy whilegiving him the least chance of inflicting friendly casualties.

6 Controlled violentaction is not limited to the application of firepower only. It also involves asoldier mind-set of complete of the principles of CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT has a synergistic relationshipto the others. Controlled violence coupled with speed increases , successful surprise allows increased FUNDAMENTALS OF CLOSE QUARTERS COMBATThe ten fundamentals of CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT address actions soldiers takewhile moving along confined corridors to the room to be cleared, whilepreparing to enter the room, during room entry and target engagement, andafter contact. Team members must a. Move tactically and silently while securing the corridors to the room tobe cleared.

7 Carry only the minimum amount of equipment. Rucksacks andloose items carried by soldiers tire them and slow their pace, and cause Arrive undetected at the entry to the room in the correct order ofentrance, prepared to enter on a single Enter quickly and dominate the room. Move immediately to positionsthat allow complete control of the room and provide unobstructed fields Eliminate all enemy within the room by the use of fast, accurate, anddiscriminating Gain and maintain immediate control of the situation and all personnelin the Confirm whether enemy casualties are wounded or dead. Disarm andsegregate the wounded. Search all enemy Immediately perform a cursory search of the room.

8 Determine if adetailed search is Evacuate all wounded and any friendly , FM 90-10-1i. Mark the room as cleared, using a simple, clearly identifiable marking inaccordance with the unit Maintain security at all times and be prepared to react to more enemycontact at any moment. Do not neglect rear INITIAL ACTIONS TO CLEAR A BUILDINGThe initial actions to clear a building are no different during CLOSE quarterscombat than during any other The unit isolates the building using direct or indirect fires before thelead element moves to the breach point. The unit (1) Covers mounted avenues of approach with anti armor weapons.(2) Covers dismounted avenues of approach with automatic The unit suppresses enemy fires and neutralizes suspected and likelyenemy positions as the breach and clearing teams move into position.

9 The unitobscures the movement of the breach and clearing teams to the building byusing Breach and clearing teams secure a foothold in the building. Teamsmove along covered and concealed routes and enter at the highest possiblelevel of the building. The unit shifts fires to other floors or buildings as theclearing teams enter. If possible, clearing teams clear hallways and roomsfrom the top of the building COMPOSITION OF THE CLEARING TEAMC lose QUARTERS COMBAT clearing TECHNIQUES are designed to be executed by thestandard four-man fire team. Because of the confined spaces typical ofbuilding- and room-clearing operations, units larger than squads quicklybecome unwieldy.

10 When shortages of personnel demand it, room-clearingoperations can be conducted by two- and three-man teams, but four-man teamsare optimum. Using fewer personnel greatly increases the COMBAT strain andthe risks to the BREACHINGAn integral part of CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT is the ability to gain access quicklyto the room to be cleared. Breaching TECHNIQUES vary widely based on the typeof construction encountered and the types of munitions available to thebreaching force. TECHNIQUES range from simple mechanical breaching tocomplex, specialized A simple method of breaching is the shotgun ballistic breach for forcedentry of standard doors . A 12-gauge shotgun loaded with buckshot or slugscan be used to breach most standard doors quickly.