Counter Sniper Operations in MOUT

Counter Sniper Operations in MOUT Agenda Recall the differences between a professional sniper, trained marksman and armed irregular. Identify key sniper targets. Identify signs that indicate that a sniper may be present. Demonstrate techniques for locating a sniper. Recall react to sniper battle drills. Understand TTPs for countering the sniper. Types Of Snipers Professionally Trained Most dangerous, high quality equipment, effective to 1200-1500m Trained Marksman Very common in urban combat, well trained, standard issue rifle, also very effective around 200-300m Armed Irregular Local militant, little or no formal training, not integrated into enemy scheme of maneuver, high value in a harassment role, effective less than 200m Characteristics of the Professional Sniper School Trained Experienced High degree of marksmanship Expert in Camouflage Patient and Calculating Independent Pro-active Trophy Hunter Characteristics of the Amateur Sniper Not as committed or disciplined Not school trained. Will shoot at any target. Doesn’t think on his feet. Average to poor marksmanship. Not Pro-active. Generally left behind to delay. Meat Hunter. Key Targets Officers Untrained soldiers Religious Personnel NCOs Armor Commanders Radio Operators Protected Equipment Harassing Fires Business Owners Politicians Signs of a Professional Sniper 1 of 2 Hits from > 400 meters Several kills w/one shot Shots fired on personnel exposed briefly High ratio of leaders/RTOs hit Signs of a Professional Sniper 2 of 2 High Powered Weapons, Optics, Camouflage Lack of civilians Clear avenues of approach No natural sounds Vacant streets Techniques for Locating Firing Position Back Azimuth Find a bullet hole Insert a rifle rod Look at the back direction Triangulation Back Azimuth from two separate locations Crack / Bang 300 meters per second React to Sniper Battle Drills Return Fire/Seek Cover. Determine where shot came from. Initiate a base of fire. Speed. Unpredictable Patterns. Smoke. Rapid maneuver to cut him off. from multiple directions. Coordinate. Methods to Search for a Sniper Hide Searching Analyze Terrain Start observing from rear or above Use Designated Marksmen Hide Positions Inconspicuous Good observation / fields of fire Cover, Concealment, shadows Means of unobserved withdrawal Look for: muzzle flash/smoke/dust; reflections Countering the Urban Sniper Active Measures Detect and destroy the enemy before he can fire, or engage and neutralize him after he fires. Passive Measures Prevent the sniper From acquiring a clear target or prevent his fires from causing casualties Active Countermeasures 1 of 3 “When all else fails, perseverance prevails.” Active Countermeasures 2 of 3 Observation Posts Constant Security Patrols Unit Weapons Overmatching Weapons Preemptive Fires Smoke/ CS Active Countermeasures 3 of 3 Use Decoys: Only use when you can engage a sniper Prepare outside of his vision Types Provocative Lures Mock Hands Be clever, “off the wall.” Passive Countermeasures 1 of 2 Limit Exposure Use covered and concealed routes Avoid open plazas and intersections Avoid doorways and windows Move along side of street and not in center Use shadows Use dispersion/ traveling or bounding overwatch Avoid silhouetted by lights or skyline Avoid obvious badges of rank Don’t salute Passive Countermeasures 2 of 2 Wear protective equipment Use armored vehicles Erect screens and shields Easily constructed with canvas or plastic to screen movement across alleys Use in vehicles and building windows Deny enemy use of overwatching terrain Use smoke hazes or smoke screens to degrade sniper’s vision Summary Know what type of sniper you are dealing with Understand what the sniper wants to do to you Treat all snipers as a significant threat and reduce it immediately Reacting to a sniper in an urban environment must become instinctual Knowing the enemy sniper will help you to counter his actions and keep your squad alive