The Tactical Advantage: A Definitive Study Of Personal Small-Arms Tactics

FIFTEEN OUTDOOR TACTICS AND MOVING THROUGH OPEN AREAS

So far we've discussed situations involving indoor confrontations. Only in extremely unusual circumstances will an urban businessman or homeowner have reason to pursue an adversary outside his "castle" once the adversary has fled. Neither will there be any urgency to go check and clear yards or external perimeters. If you are inside and your adversary is outside, your best solution is to call the police and barricade yourself behind cover.

The story changes, however, for the police officer. A police officer has to go and search for these people. Similarly, the rural citizen is not likely to call out the troops for every little suspicious sound in the back 40. There are times when you must go and hunt under the open sky and check things out for yourself. This is not a study of military squad tactics. Although some concepts have come from that discipline, the tactics described here are designed for the lone operator and the small two- or threeman team.

Tactics for moving through and searching outdoor open areas are very similar to those used indoors. The only real differences are that the distances involved are longer and the spaces are bigger. Additionally, the problem is not contained within four walls. Subsequently, outdoor problems are somewhat more difficult to solve because there are more potential danger areas than there are inside a structure.

^{Outdoor, long-range activities may require more flexible weapons than those favored for indoor scenarios.}

^{The low ready position, demonstrated here by four-weapon combat master Don Busse, is favored for a balance of visibility and reaction speed.}

^{Submachine gun students learn long-range engagement techniques with a weapon intended for close quarters.}

Using cover as concealment or simply using concealment is mandatory. You might be able to observe an entire area from your hidden position of cover. Remember, you are looking for target indicators. Initially, look for places where it is likely that an adversary might be hiding. You will be moving toward those areas to clear them. Before you move from your covered position, select the covered position you will be moving to next. Such a move must be designed to gain you some type of an advantage. Seek either an enhanced zone of fire or a better look into the area you are checking. Do not abandon your position out of impatience.

Visually scan along a varying vertical axis or from close to far and back. This will allow you to examine the same spot from more than a single angle. Such a visual search will enhance the possibility of seeing something you missed during previous passes of the same area. Look slowly and carefully; don't just pass your eyes over the area haphazardly.

Avoid silhouetting yourself or giving off a shadow. Be aware of the light source and stay out of it. This may not be possible, but you must try nevertheless. If there is a light illuminating the area, stay below it and out of the light wash. During the day, stay off fences and rooflines that will place the sky or other light surface behind you. Additionally, do not pause in front of lightcolored walls. Such things make your outline stand out like, well, a target.

^{When operating outdoors, stay below the visual horizon and do not "skyline" yourself on rooftops or ridgelines. Additionally, avoid backgrounds that contrast sharply with the clothing worn. (Photo courtesy of Chuck Taylor.)}

Be careful about such reflective outside surfaces as windows. Such surfaces may be useful in locating an adversary, but they may just as easily be used by him to locate you.

Keep low when you move from point to point. You should be able to shoot on the move as soon as you leave cover. Stealth is still your greatest asset. Don't run unless you are already under fire. It is very difficult to assess potential danger areas while running. Also, if you decide to change directions or if you must shoot while moving, you cannot readily do either one at a dead run.

Be alert to any channelized areas, such as alleys, driveways, and spaces between buildings. Such areas are perfect for ambushes because there is only one way in or out. Once you commit yourself to such an area, there is no easy way to abandon it.

When moving with a partner (or two) you may use one of two methods borrowed from squad tactics. The first one is termed "traveling overwatch." This method has the team members moving to static positions as they cover divergent areas of responsibility. This is the same method used indoors as the team moves from point to point. The advantages of this method are that it places two or more guns and eyes on the danger area instead of one. Additionally, all the team members are in a position of mutual support, and all can tire at a sudden threat without exposing themselves to their own team members' gunfire.

^{Realize that your adversary may also know about camouflage and concealment and try to blend into the background. (Photo courtesy of ChuckTaylor.)}

^{If you know where your opponent is but he does not know where you are, you can launch your own attack from concealment.}

^{Outdoor operations may require a greater variety of tactics and shooting positions than the indoor environment. Don Busse instructs students in the prone position and the close-quarters/underarm assault position-two extremes in engagement technique.}

The second method is called "bounding overwatch." This may be used to enter or exit a very hazardous environment where there has already been some shooting or where a gunfight is expected. Additionally, this technique is extremely useful when evacuating an area (particularly if you are evacuating a downed team member).

Bounding overwatch works this way: one member of the team moves to a position of cover, his partner then leapfrogs him to another different point of cover, and then the next man will move past his partner to a farther point and cover his partner's approach. This can be done at any speed, depending on the circumstances. The distance each partner travels is dictated by the terrain itself, but it should not be more than 15 meters. Once you are committed to moving, do not stop. If the original plan of movement becomes untenable, you can always go back. But simply stopping in the open is foolish.

^{Chuck Taylor demonstrates the high ready carry position during a submachine gun course.}

^{A student moves through wooded terrain with a Heckler & Koch MP5.}

^{The ultimate in outdoor/long-range coverage! (Photo courtesy of ChuckTaylor.)}

^{Some circumstances may arise suddenly, so learn to deploy your resources immediately. This shooter is learning counterambush techniques. (Photo courtesy of Chuck Taylor.)}

^{Outdoor problems often require supported shooting positions. Learn these positions with whatever weapon system you use.}