Urban
Sniper Operations
By: Ghost and the US Army
The following text was paraphrased and copied
fro the US Army's FM 23-10 on sniping. I've cut and pasted what applies to
paintball and changed a few words, but all the relevant info is there.
As a sniper operating in urban terrain, you have several positions to
choose from. Attics, street level, and basements all offer shooting cells. Urban
terrain offers a maximum amount of cover from fire and view while letting you
engage targets at will. A sniper team can stop an advance in urban terrain.
Be aware of the outer appearance of a building that you are occupying.
Don't pick an overly obvious building or structure such as the only brick
building in a town setting or the only yellow house. Shooting through barricaded
windows is preferred, if most windows are boarded up.
Building loopholes in other windows gives you more options to engage
targets. If building or knocking out loopholes is allowed, make them in
different sizes and shapes. This will reduce the "Man Made" look and
not draw the attention of the opposition. Numerous loopholes make the one you
are using inconspicuous and will confuse the people you are firing on. They may
know which building you are in, but by the time they figure out where you were
in the building, you have already relocated or abandoned the building as
appropriate.
When firing, stay back from your loophole if at all possible. If you fire
from inside, the sound will be muffled and you will sound like you are farther
away and render you harder to find. Do not fire from the same place continually.
This gives the opposition an opportunity to find you and pin you down while they
take the building and cut off your retreat.
Hide Locations
Room Hide Position.
In a room hide position, the sniper team uses an existing room and fires through
a window or loophole. When selecting a position, teams must notice both front
and back window positions. To avoid silhouetting, they may need to use a
backdrop such as a dark-coloured blanket, canvas, carpet, and a screen. Screens
(common screening material) are important since they allow the sniper teams
maximum observation and deny observation by the enemy.
Rafter Hide Position.
The sniper team constructs a rafter hide position in the attic of an
A-frame-type building. These buildings normally have shingled roofs. Firing from
inside the attic
Hide Occupation
Sniper teams use the technique best suited for
the urban hide position.
(1)
The second floor of a building is usually the best location for the position. It
presents minimal dead space but provides the team more protection since
passers-by cannot easily spot it.
(2)
Normally, a window is the best viewing aperture/loophole.
(a) If the window is dirty, do not clean it for
better viewing.
(b) If curtains are prevalent in the area, do
not remove those in the position. Lace or net-type
curtains can be seen through from the inside, but they are difficult to
see through from the outside.
(c) If strong winds blow the curtains open,
staple, tack, or weight them.
(3)
Other loopholes/viewing apertures are nearly unlimited.
Drilled holes (hand drill if allowed).
Brick removal (if allowed).
Loose boards/derelict houses.
(4)
The sniper makes sure the ball clears the loophole. The muzzle must be far
enough from the loophole to ensure the
ball's path is not in line with the bottom of the loophole.
(5)
Front drops, usually netting, may have to be changed (if the situation permits)
from dark to light colors due to sunlight or lack of sunlight into the position.
(10)
Always plan an escape route that leads to a rally point. When forced to vacate
the position, the team meets the security element at the rally point. Normally,
the team will not be able to leave from the same point at which it gained
access; therefore, a separate escape point may be required in emergency
situations. The team must consider windows (other than the viewing apertures);
anchored ropes to climb down buildings.
(11)
The type of uniform or camouflage to be worn by the team will be dictated by the
situation, how they are employed, and area of operation. The following applies:
(a) Most often, the BDU and required equipment
are worn.
(b) Urban-camouflaged uniforms can be made or
purchased. Urban areas vary in colour mostly grey [cinder block]; red [brick]; white [marble]; black
[granite]; or stucco,clay, or wood). Regardless of area colour, uniforms should include
angular-line patterns.
(c) When necessary, most woodland-patterned
BDUs can be worn inside out as they are a grey or green-grey colour underneath.