b. Demolitions are often needed to defeat more elaborate barriers or to
produce a desired effect to aid the initial entry. See Appendix L for a
discussion of expedient demolitions for breaching common urban barriers.
c. Mechanical breaching is not addressed here, but it is an assumed
capability within all units. Whether or not to take the time to defeat weak
barriers, such as doors or windows, by means of crowbars, saws,
sledgehammers, or axes is a decision that must be made based on the
conditions of METT-T. Mechanical breaching should always be planned as a
backup to a ballistic or explosive breach.
K-7. BREACH POINT
Clearing team members must approach the breach point quickly, quietly, and
in standard order. This approach preserves the element of surprise and allows
for quick entry and domination of the room.
a. The order of movement to the breach point is determined by the method
of breach and the intended actions at the breach point. The members of the fire
team are assigned numbers 1 through 4, with the team leader always
designated number 3. If one member of the clearing team is armed with the
SAW rather than an M16 rifle or carbine, he should be designated number 4.
(1) The order of movement for a shotgun breach has the shotgunner up
front, followed by the number 1 man, number 2 man, and then the number 3
man (team leader). After the door is breached, the shotgunner falls to the rear
of the lineup and acts as the number 4 man.
(2) The order of movement for a demolition breach is number 3 (team
leader), number 2, number 1, and then number 4. The team leader provides
security at the doorway. The number 2 man carries the demolition charge and
places it. Number 1 carries a fabricated blast shield. Number 4 provides rear
security. After the demolition charge is placed, number 2 falls in behind
number 1 (with the blast shield), and number 3 (team leader) falls in behind
number 2, re-forming the standard 1, 2, 3, 4 configuration.
(3) If neither a shotgun nor a demolitions breach is required, the order of
movement is the standard 1, 2, 3, 4 configuration.
b. The clearing team must always be alert. Team members provide security
at the breach point and to the rear, laterally down corridors, and upward if near
stairs or landings. The two basic techniques for moving down hallways are
shown in Figure K-2. Hallway intersections are dangerous areas and should be
approached cautiously as shown in Figures K-3 and K-4.
(1) The serpentine technique is used in narrow hallways. The number 1
man provides security to the front. His sector of fire includes any enemy
soldiers who appear at the far end of the hall or from any doorways near the
end. The number 2 and number 3 men cover the left and right sides of the
number 1 man. Their sectors of fire include any soldiers who appear suddenly
from nearby doorways on either side of the hall. They cover the number 1
man's flanks. The number 4 man, normally carrying the SAW, provides rear
protection against any enemy soldiers suddenly appearing behind the clearing
team