Urban Ops IV Security in an Urban Environment

Question 1

What are the 3 types of vehicle checkpoints (VCP’s)?

Answer 1

1. Deliberate: permanent, fortified CP usually along an approach to a built up or restricted area (FOB).
2. Hasty: pre-planned, temporary CP ISO specific operation or during a specific time of day/year.
3. Snap: immediate CP employed during a PB on a frag order from higher or at the PL’s discretion. Commonly used to target specific vehicles (BOLO’s).

Question 2

What are the 4 components VCP’s can be categorized in?

Answer 2

1. Security: established IOT provide security from external threats & cover vehicles w/in the CP itself.
2. Guardian angel: Marines placed in a covert overwatch position IOT provide SA & counter-ambush capabilities.
3. Serpentine: Physical barriers are emplaced to slow, canalize, turn, & stop vehicles entering the CP. Overall goal is to control approach speed of a vehicle to manageable.
4. Search area: Marines conduct vehicle & personnel searches at designated areas w/in established serpentine to look for/prevent flow of EN personnel, weapons, & equipment.

Question 3

What equipment can you use while at a VCP?

Answer 3

1. Stop signs
2. Barriers
3. Radios & wire phones
4. Concertina wire
5. Lights
6. Surveillance equipment
7. Flex cuffs
8. Megaphones
9. Whistles

Question 4

What are the 3 categories of search techniques?

Answer 4

1. Initial
2. Primary
3. Secondary

Question 5

Define initial search?

Answer 5

1st part of searching process used to ID vehicles for more detailed examination. 3 personnel for search & usually take 3 mins per vehicle. At least 2 people conduct search.

Question 6

Define primary search?

Answer 6

Full search of select vehicles. Entails checking interior, exterior, engine, & trunk & mirror checks under the vehicle. 2-5 minutes.

Question 7

Define secondary search?

Answer 7

Detailed search of a suspect vehicle. Time intensive. Disassembling panels, interior of wheels, etc. 4 personnel conduct search.

Question 8

Define search considerations?

Answer 8

1. Be quick, thorough, & efficient.
2. Don’t let children, babies, elderly, etc deter your options.
3. Use common sense.
4. Overloaded vehicles; nervous drivers.
5. Remember details of searched vehicles.

Question 9

Define the 4 categories of vehicle types?

Answer 9

1. Automobiles (cars)
2. Motorcycle & bicycles: 2 searchers (1 driver/passenger & 1 vehicle)
3. Heavy goods vehicles (trucks): 3 searchers (1 driver/occupants & 2 vehicle)
4. Buses: 4 searchers (2 driver/occupants & 2 bus)

Question 10

What is the purpose of a cordon & search (C&S) mission?

Answer 10

Conducted to systematically search for enemy personnel, weapons, supplies, explosives or communications equipment.

Question 11

What 3 terms are used when discussing C&S operations?

Answer 11

1. Objective area: area where C&S takes place.
2. Target area: immediately surrounding target.
3. Target: location of high value target (HVT)

Question 12

What is the basic principle of searching a populated area?

Answer 12

Conduct it with limited inconvenience to the population.

Question 13

What is referred to as a ‘cordon & knock’?

Answer 13

Where EN contact/capture is less likely is executed with a lower level of force.

Question 14

When is a C&S mission executed more like a raid?

Answer 14

When in more hostile areas or targets based on higher quality intel. A breach usually mechanical is executed to gain entry.

Question 15

What are principles of C&S?

Answer 15

1. Speed:
2. Surprise: all efforts to deny the EN the opportunity to react.
3. Isolation: physically isolate the target area/target by setting up cordons.
4. Target ID: trained to ID, capture, &/or exploit targeted EN personnel/material.
5. Timeliness: balance between actionable intel, target activities, desired end state, & execution of C&S.
6. Accountability: all personnel & assets are accounted for & not left behind during egress.
7. Minimization & mitigation of collateral damage
8. Detailed search: ensure all of the EN’s assets are captured
9. Legitimacy: focus on supporting the efforts of a legitimate Host Nation Gov’t.

Question 16

What are the phases of a C&S?

Answer 16

1. Planning: used to define sequence of action by each element to synchronize their tasks to ensure mission success.
2. Reconnaissance: target areas should be reconnoitered prior to execution using many of the available resources. Don’t provide EN with indicators.
3. Mvmt to OBJ: timing, routes & execution of mvmt to OBJ should use METT-TC factors & should be simultaneous or phased.
4. Isolation: key to successful execution of search. Consists of outer/inner cordon.
5. Search: includes everything from target areas, consolidation & reorganization, & mitigation of negative effects. Conducted by ASLT force.
6. Withdrawal: unit is most vulnerable. Diff routes & timing may be used to simultaneous or phased to mitigate EN’s ability to attack.

Question 17

What is the task organization of a C&S?

Answer 17

1. Command Element: headquarters of unit.
2. Security Element: isolates the OBJ area; tasks include block, interdict, & isolate.
3. Support Element: isolates the OBJ; tasks include fix, isolate, block, interdict, suppress, & contain.
4. Assault Element: mission is to clear, search, & ASLT targets w/in specific building/area that targets are located to capture, kill, or destroy.
5. Special Teams & Assets:

Question 18

What are the 2 primary methods of mvmt to the target?

Answer 18

1. Single point ingress: column along a single path facilitates easier C2.
2. Multidirectional ingress: mvmt through multiple directions; provides a lower signature w/fewer vehicles collected during approach.

Question 19

What are the 2 techniques for emplacement of the C&S elements?

Answer 19

1. Simultaneously: occurs when the C&S elements occupy multiple positions at the same time.
2. Sequential: elements occupy multiple positions in sequence; ease of control & simple for planning (adv) vs less effective timely & allows EN freedom to reposition (disadv).

Question 20

What are methods of egress from a C&S?

Answer 20

1. Simultaneous: least preferred; lacks overwatch.

2. Sequential: provides greater security for forces leaving the cordon area.

Question 21

What are 2 egress route selections?

Answer 21

1. Single point: provides simplicity in mvmt from OBJ to a predesignated rally point.
2. Multidirectional: requires greater coordination for each C&S element.

Question 22

What are some interpreter considerations?

Answer 22

1. Enablers
2. Interpreter’s role
3. Modes of interpreting
4. Tactical questioning

Question 23

What does an outer cordon do?

Answer 23

Isolate the OBJ area & prevents EN or civilian influence (VCP’s, overwatch, battlespace geometry).

Question 24

What does an inner cordon do?

Answer 24

Isolate the target IOT protect the ASLT/SEARCH element from threat activity (DF, grenades, IED’s, civil disturbances, & prevents escapes).