Civilians on the

Battlefield(COBs)

CPT (P) Woodruff2 Mar 06

• What are they? What are they? • Key Rules and ConceptsKey Rules and Concepts• Battle DrillsBattle Drills• Practical ExercisePractical Exercise• DOBs!!!DOBs!!!• ConclusionConclusion

AgendaAgenda

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 ConceptsKey Rules and Concepts

– Use Minimum Force and Escalating Force, if Use Minimum Force and Escalating Force, if circumstances permitcircumstances permit

– Search Procedures, Detention ProceduresSearch Procedures, Detention Procedures– Train COB Battle DrillTrain COB Battle Drill– No promises, but learn what they wantNo promises, but learn what they want– No threats that you cannot backupNo threats that you cannot backup– Speak with one voiceSpeak with one voice– De-escalateDe-escalate– Stop them at a safe distance from troops and TOC’sStop them at a safe distance from troops and TOC’s

React to COB’sBattle 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’sBattle Drill

• Required Actions:Required Actions:– Secure the AreaSecure the Area

• TCP: Ensure obstacles emplaced to stop TCP: Ensure obstacles emplaced to stop COBs/vehicles at safe distance; over-watch COBs/vehicles at safe distance; over-watch position.position.

• Patrol: Leader assesses his unit’s security, Patrol: Leader assesses his unit’s security, dispersion, cover, camouflage, deception, and dispersion, cover, camouflage, deception, and suppression of COB threatsuppression of COB threat

• Outer CordonOuter Cordon• Dignity and RespectDignity and Respect• Use Minimum Force to Control Use Minimum Force to Control • If a risk is posed search COB’s and VehiclesIf a risk is posed search COB’s and Vehicles

React to COB’sBattle Drill

• Required Actions:– Report

• SALUTE report ASAP

React to COB’sBattle 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’sBattle 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’sBattle Drill

• Required Actions:– SITREP: Detailed report

React to COB’sBattle 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)

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

SummaryCivilians on the Battlefield

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 non-deadly threat

• Situational awareness is the key to self defense

Questions and CommentsQuestions and Comments