BASIC CLOSE QUARTERS BATTLE This handout is to reinforce the basic tactics and concepts regarding CQB (Close Quarters Battle). For a more in depth instruction, please refer to FM 3-06.11 (Doctrine for Joint Urban Operations); FM 90-10 (Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain); FM 90-10-1 (An Infantryman’s Guide to Combat in Built-up Areas; Sharp Corners: Urban Operations at Century’s End Dr. Roger J. Spiller, US Army Combat Studies Institute, April 2001 Compiled by A. AMORETTI
2/18/2011
CQB = Swift, Silent, Deadly
Tangos will know your entry point (the fatal funnel) and will defend against that entry point. This gives tangos the advantage. Enter the room quickly, clear the funnel. DO NOT STOP IN THE FUNNEL. Never look away from your gun. At the ready in clear areas, firing position in danger areas. If your head moves, the weapon goes with it. Know your field of fire. Do not engage targets of opportunity. Engage targets in your field of fire. If there is a threat in your field of fire (opening, window, doorway, an obstacle that needs to be cleared), cover the threat. OODA – Observe, Orient (yourself to the situation), Decide, Act. Go the opposite way of the operator in front of you when entering a room, unless ordered otherwise by team leader. Point man is never wrong. If you’re the point man, make a decision; commit to your action. Remember to use the path of least resistance. If the door opens inward, move away from the hinges. If the door opens outward, move towards the hinges. Fill in the blanks. If a team member deviates from SOP, fill in the blanks to make the situation work. Remember your angles. Learn to “slice the pie” without barrel leading. It takes at least two to clear a room. Divide the attention of the tangos. Two in fast, make them hesitate. If you fall down, stay down. Do not get up until signaled by another member of the team. You may stand up in the line of fire or impede the movement of the rest of the team. Find an area to cover or support someone. Find a threat area to cover. If all areas are covered, support someone. Engage bodies, then doors and openings, then clear hides. Don’t flag your team members. Muzzle awareness. Flagging is pointing your weapon or sweeping your weapon across another team member.
FIELDS OF FIRE
Point Man;
Second Man;
FIELDS OF FIRE (CONT.)
Third Man;
Fourth man will break opposite of third man and take up a position supporting second man’s field of fire.
“SLICING THE PIE”
“Slicing the pie” is a corner technique done by aiming the weapon beyond the corner into the direction of travel (without flagging) and side-stepping around the corner in a circular fashion with the muzzle as the pivot point.
HALLWAYS Your shadow is an extension of yourself and can give away your position. Stay 12 to 18 inches from walls when moving. Don’t alert the enemy.
HALLWAYS (CONT)
HALLWAYS (CONT)
VERBAL SIGNALS
TERM "STATUS!" "CLEAR!" "UP!" "ROOM CLEAR!" "COMING OUT!" "COME OUT!" "COMING IN!" "COME IN!" "COMING UP (DOWN)! "COME UP (DOWN)!" "MAN DOWN!" "SHORT ROOM!" "GRENADE!"
"GO LONG!" "GUN DOWN" "GUN UP" "RELOADING"
EXPLANATION Signal by an element leader that requires all members to report whether their sectors are clear and if they are prepared to continue the mission. Signal given by individuals to report their sector is clear. Signal given by individuals to report they are ready to continue the mission (weapon loaded, equipment accounted for). Signal from team leader to team members, squad leader, and follow-on teams that the room is secure and cleared. Signal given by an individual or team that they are about to exit a room. Reply given by security element or follow-on team that it is safe to exit the room. Signal given by an individual who is about to enter an occupied room. Reply given by an occupant of a room stating it is safe to enter. Signal given by an individual or team that is about to ascend or descend a stairway. Reply given by security element that it is safe to ascend or descend a stairway. Signal given when an individual has been wounded or injured and cannot continue his mission. Signal given by either the number 1 man or the number 2 man to indicate a small room, and that all team members should not enter. A command given by any soldier, when an enemy grenade has been thrown. All soldiers need to take immediate actions. Although difficult, the soldier should identify the location of the grenade, if possible. A command given by one member of the team to tell another team member to take up security farther into the room or farther down a hallway. A signal given when an individual's weapon has malfunctioned and is being corrected. A signal given when an individual has corrected a malfunction and is ready for action. A signal given when an individual is reloading any weapon system. This signal is followed by "GUN UP" when ready.
NOTE: The use of loud verbal commands may reveal to the enemy the location and immediate intent of friendly forces.
