Civilian On The Battle Field

Civilians on the Battlefield (COBs) CPT (P) Woodruff 2 Mar 06

Agenda • • • • • •

What are they? Key Rules and Concepts Battle Drills Practical Exercise DOBs!!! Conclusion

Civilians on the Battlefield • What are they? – A modern fact of warfare – A source of intelligence – A threat to mission accomplishment – The purpose of our mission – A threat to Force Protection – An opportunity to show our resolve – A cover for insurgents; a target for insurgents

Civilians on the Battlefield • Key Rules and Concepts – Use Minimum Force and Escalating Force, if circumstances permit – Search Procedures, Detention Procedures – Train COB Battle Drill – No promises, but learn what they want – No threats that you cannot backup – Speak with one voice – De-escalate – Stop them at a safe distance from troops and TOC’s

React to COB’s Battle Drill • Situation: Plt/Sqd encounters COB’s or COB’s approach a TCP • Required Actions (6): – Secure the Area – Report – Gather Information – Whether to Detain – SITREP – Battle Hand Over (BHO) or release

React to COB’s Battle Drill • Required Actions: – Secure the Area • TCP: Ensure obstacles emplaced to stop COBs/vehicles at safe distance; over-watch position. • Patrol: Leader assesses his unit’s security, dispersion, cover, camouflage, deception, and suppression of COB threat • Outer Cordon • Dignity and Respect • Use Minimum Force to Control • If a risk is posed search COB’s and Vehicles

React to COB’s Battle Drill

• Required Actions: – Report • SALUTE report ASAP

React to COB’s Battle Drill

• Required Actions: – Gather Information • Have a designated leader that gathers information – Who are they? What do they want? Why are they in your AO?

• Check I.D. • No promises • Medical treatment only for those with life threatening emergencies (life, limb, sight)

React to COB’s Battle Drill • Required Actions: – Detain COB’s that the OIC or NCOIC determines to be a threat to U.S. forces, or the security of persons/property under U.S. protection – Report Detention – Coordinate for BHO to Higher HQ or Civil Military Operations

React to COB’s Battle Drill • Required Actions: – SITREP: Detailed report

React to COB’s Battle Drill • Required Actions: – BHO or release

Practical Exercise Traffic Control Point

• TASK: Respond to checkpoint confrontation. • CONDITIONS: Your mission is to conduct a TCP IOT secure the access to the FOB. COB’s approach in civilian pick-up with 5 COB’s in the bed.

Practical Exercise Traffic Control Point • TASK: Respond to checkpoint confrontation. • CONDITIONS: Your mission is to conduct a TCP IOT secure the secure the access to the FOB. COB’s approach in civilian pick-up with 5 COB’s in the bed. During the search, a concealed handgun is found on 4 of the COB’s.

Practical Exercise Traffic Control Point • TASK: Respond to checkpoint confrontation. • CONDITIONS: Your mission is to conduct a TCP IOT secure the access to the FOB. COB’s approach in civilian pick-up with 5 COB’s in the bed; one has a MG resting on the cab and pointing at the TCP.

Practical Exercise Traffic Control Point

• TASK: Respond to checkpoint confrontation. • CONDITIONS: Your mission is to conduct a TCP IOT secure the access to the FOB. A civilian vehicle is traveling toward TCP at 40+ mph.

Practical Exercise Traffic Control Point

• TASK: Respond to checkpoint suicide bomber. • CONDITIONS: Your mission is to conduct a TCP IOT secure the access to the FOB. A civilian wearing a back pack approaches.

Practical Exercise Civilians on the Battlefield • TASK: Conduct a supporting ambush for a TCP repeatedly targeted by Insurgents. • CONDITIONS: Plt linear ambush 1k. from TCP. Left Flank security reports 2 men leading several sheep parallel to road and toward kill zone. They are wearing civilian clothes and each has a rifle. The ambush target is a pickup full of Insurgents.

Practical Exercise Civilians on the Battlefield • TASK: Conduct a supporting ambush for a TCP repeatedly targeted by Insurgents. • CONDITIONS: Plt linear ambush 1k. from TCP. Left flank security reports 2 men leading several sheep parallel to road and toward kill zone. They are in the kill zone and a POV with 1 driver approaches.

Practical Exercise Civilians on the Battlefield

• TASK: Patrolling in a small village • CONDITIONS: Small crowd is gathered at a Saturday food market in the village center.

DOBs • • • • • •

The worst of All COBs Sub-Species of COBs Beggars & Thief's No manners Defecate anywhere Very Violent

DOBs (Dogs on the Battlefield)

Civilians on the Battlefield Summary • • • • •

What are they? Key Rules and Concepts Battle Drills Practical Exercise Conclusion

Conclusion • Nothing takes away a soldier’s right and obligation to defend himself • Deadly force is always authorized if you are facing a deadly threat • It is also your right to use non-deadly force when you are facing a nondeadly threat • Situational awareness is the key to self defense

Questions and Comments