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

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

2. Agenda • What are they? • Key Rules and Concepts • Battle Drills • Practical Exercise • DOBs!!! • Conclusion

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. React to COB’sBattle 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

7. React to COB’sBattle Drill • Required Actions: • Report • SALUTE report ASAP

8. 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)

9. 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

10. React to COB’sBattle Drill • Required Actions: • SITREP: Detailed report

11. React to COB’sBattle Drill • Required Actions: • BHO or release

12. 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.

13. Practical ExerciseTraffic 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.

14. Practical ExerciseTraffic 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.

15. Practical ExerciseTraffic 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.

16. Practical ExerciseTraffic 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.

17. Practical ExerciseCivilians 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.

18. Practical ExerciseCivilians 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.

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

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

21. DOBs (Dogs on the Battlefield)

22. Civilians on the Battlefield Summary • What are they? • Key Rules and Concepts • Battle Drills • Practical Exercise • Conclusion

23. 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

24. Questions and Comments