MOUT...Some rules.
1-5. FUNDAMENTALS OF URBAN OPERATIONS
The fundamentals described in this paragraph apply to UO regardless
of the mission or geographical location. Some fundamentals may also
apply to operations not conducted in an urban environment, but are
particularly relevant in an environment dominated by manmade
structures and a dense noncombatant population. Brigade and
battalion commanders and staffs should use these fundamentals when
planning UO.
a. Perform Focused Information Operations and Aggressive
Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance. Information
superiority efforts aimed at influencing non-Army sources of
information are critical in UO. Because of the density of
noncombatants and information sources, the media, the public,
allies, coalition partners, neutral nations, and strategic
leadership will likely scrutinize how units participate in UO. The
proliferation of cell phones, Internet capability, and media
outlets ensure close observation of unit activities. With
information sources rapidly expanding, public information of Army
operations will be available faster than the internal military
information system (INFOSYS) can process it. Units can aggressively
integrate information operations into every facet and at all levels
of the operation to prevent negative impacts. Under media scrutiny,
the actions of a single soldier may have significant strategic
implications. The goal of information operations is to ensure that
the information available to all interested parties, the public,
the media, and other agencies, is accurate and placed in the proper
context of the Army's mission. While many information operations
will be planned at levels above the brigade, tactical units
conducting UO may often be involved in the execution of information
operations such as military deception, operations security (OPSEC),
physical security, and psychological operations. Brigades and
battalions must conduct aggressive intelligence, security, and
reconnaissance operations that will allow them to properly apply
the elements of assess, shape, dominate, and transition to specific
UO.
b. Conduct Close Combat. Close combat is required
in offensive and defensive UO. The capability must be present and
visible in stability UO and may be required, by exception, in
support UO. Close combat in any UO is resource intensive, requires
properly trained and equipped forces, has the potential for high
casualties, and can achieve decisive results when properly
conducted. Units must always be prepared to conduct close combat as
part of UO (Figure 1-4).
c. Avoid the Attrition Approach. Previous doctrine
was inclined towards a systematic linear approach to urban combat.
This approach placed an emphasis on standoff weapons and firepower.
It can result in significant collateral damage, a lengthy
operation, and be inconsistent with the political situation and
strategic objectives. Enemy forces that defend urban areas often
want units to adopt this approach because of the likely costs in
resources. Commanders should only consider this tactical approach
to urban combat only when the factors of METT-TC warrant its
use.
d. Control the Essential. Many modern urban areas
are too large to be completely occupied or even effectively
controlled. Therefore, units must focus their efforts on
controlling only the essentials to mission accomplishment. At a
minimum, this requires control of key terrain (Figure 1-5). The
definition of key terrain remains standard: terrain whose
possession or control provides a marked advantage to one side or
another. In the urban environment, functional, political, or social
significance may be what makes terrain key. For example, a power
station or a building may be key terrain. Units focus on control of
the essential so they can concentrate combat power where it is
needed and conserve it. This implies risk in those areas where
units choose not to exercise control in order to be able to mass
overwhelming power where it is needed.
Read more at this site..
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-06-11/ch1.htm#par3
