Iraqi_Sniper_Brief

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IRAQ COUNTERSNIPER BRIEF 2nd Platoon - RENEGADES! Delta Company Task Force 1-64

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It’s a hard job, but … It needs to be done!

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Agenda (FM 3-06.11) : Importance of Urban Control Types of Enemy Snipers The Law of Land Warfare Applied to Sniper Sniper Countermeasures Countersniper Tactics and Techniques Conclusion Questions

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Urban Control Importance: Certain urban areas contain strategic industrial, transportation, or economic complexes that must be defended. Cities often serve as critical arenas for those fighting to preserve national, ethnic, or religious identity. Capitals and cultural centers may be defended for strictly psychological or national morale purposes even when they do not offer a tactical advantage to the defender. All things being equal, defending forces are much more likely to be able to gain the allegiance of the local population and use it as a source of food, munitions, shelter, and information.

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Types of Enemy Snipers: 1) Specially Trained Sniper Most dangerous Specially selected, trained, and equipped with modern rifles Expert shots and trained to kill specific individuals Skilled in avoiding detection Can engage and kill from 300 – 1,000 meters Examples – SOF Snipers, or President’s 100 Although snipers may be more prevalent in some situations than in others, a sniper threat always exists in urban areas to some degree.

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Good News: You should not see any Specially Trained Snipers in Iraq 0% - 2% probability of sniper being a Specially Trained Sniper

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2) Trained Marksman Common Sniper found in urban combat Trained soldier with standard issue weapon - who can kill! Good shot, fair to good field craft skills to avoid detection Usually fires from 100 – 600 meters Examples – Some Ex-Iraqi Infantry, Many U.S. Soldiers In Serbia, one of the most successful snipers was a former Olympic contender. The shooters-snipers must not be underestimated, especially in regards to the range at which they can engage a target and obtain a hit. Types of Enemy Snipers:

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Good News: Trained Marksmen are present, but rare in Iraq 15% - 25% probability of sniper being a Trained Marksman

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3) Armed Irregular Little or no military training, but may have urban combat experience May appear to be merely another of thousands of noncombatants Usually not accurate, seldom targets specific individuals Attacks may be loosely coordinated with others in the area Uses harassment to psychologically wear down enemy Typically engages from ranges of 25 – 500 meters Examples – Most Terrorists who have a decent weapon Types of Enemy Snipers:

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Good News: Armed Irregulars rarely kill individuals Bad News: Armed Irregulars are prevalent in Iraq 75% - 85% probability of sniper being an Armed Irregular

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The Law of Land Warfare Applied to Snipers: Snipers cause great psychological stress to soldiers in extended urban combat. Harassed units may overreact and violate the laws of land warfare concerning the treatment of captured snipers. It requires strong leadership and great moral strength to prevent soldiers from releasing their rage on captured snipers or civilians suspected of sniping at them. BOTTOM LINE: Under the law, it is forbidden to kill, wound, or harm an enemy who, having laid down his arms or having no means of defense, has surrendered. A sniper who has been captured, or who has surrendered, must not be harmed. It does not matter how many friendly casualties he has caused or how long he waits before he surrenders.

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The Law of Land Warfare Applied to Snipers: POSSIBLE REACTION: It would violate the law of war, as well as most ROE, to respond to sniper fire with massive, indiscriminate return fire into an urban area if another less destructive tactic or weapon could be employed without greatly increasing risk to U.S. forces. POSSIBLE EFFECT: The unlimited use of firepower in an urban area may undermine the legitimacy of the US force and work against the commander’s ultimate intent.

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Do not fire into angry mobs after taking sniper fire, unless …

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Enemy Sniper Objectives: Harass US forces, exhausting them, and lowering morale. All snipers can do this, but most often the marksman and the irregular are used for this purpose. Kill a specific individual. Causes fear of enemy operating without opposition. Snipers can target officers or vehicle commanders to political or community leaders. Cause US casualties for political effect. Any American casualty is heavily reported, especially when caused by an enemy sniper sometimes causing American resolve to waiver.

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Active Countersniper Tactics: Set up observation posts in the friendly unit’s area of operation with powerful spotting telescopes, medium binoculars, and NVD’s. Vary patrol routes and always have an armored quick reaction force ready to envelop the enemy sniper upon contact. Upon sniper contact return fire with a large volume of aimed heavy caliber weapons such as multiple 240 or caliber .50 machine gun fire. In 1989 units in Panama reported heavy machine gun fire was effective against snipers as the Panamanian snipers were intimidated into inaction by the immediate return fire. In Somalia, immediate heavy fires from MK 19 automatic grenade launchers were often effective at stopping sniper fires from armed irregulars.

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Return fire, but …

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Passive Countersniper Tactics: Limit Exposure: Stay away from doorways and windows Avoid lighted areas at night Avoid being silhouetted against lights or the skyline Remain crouched or prone behind cover or concealment whenever possible Avoid wearing obvious badges of rank Wear protective equipment. The Kevlar helmet and protective vest will not always stop a sniper bullet, but they will significantly reduce the severity of wounds.

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Actions on Contact: Immediate Action: Return a heavy volume of fire to destroy or suppress the enemy sniper Seek covered and concealed positions when possible Maintain visual contact with the sniper to develop the situation Call for indirect fire if collateral damage would be minimal Call higher with situation report Further Courses of Action: 1) Bypass the sniper using smoke, suppressive fire, and maneuver 2) Eliminate the sniper: Fix and suppress sniper using heavy caliber of weapons Cordon the area using all available assets, including air assets Maneuver on the sniper using small, light fire teams

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Conclusion : SNIPERS ARE A REAL THREAT IN IRAQ, BUT … SNIPERS CAN BE DEALT WITH AND ELIMINATED DO THESE: AVOID MAKING YOURSELF AN EASY TARGET!!! WEAR YOUR PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT!!! IMMEDIATELY REACT TO ENEMY SNIPER FIRE WITH HEAVY –> AIMED <– RETURN FIRE!!! SNIPERS WILL BE HANDLED ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF LAND WARFARE … BOTTOM LINE!!!

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QUESTIONS