Lt. (USN)
Feb 5 2007, 08:36 PM
This isn't a manual but insight without words.Study the pics and use the tactics.
Verbal commands and signals
TERMS & EXPLANATION
“STATUS!” Signal by an element leader that requires all members to report
whether their sectors are clear and if they are prepared to continue
the mission.
“CLEAR!” Signal given by individuals to report their sector is clear.
“UP!” Signal given by individuals to report they are ready to continue the
mission (weapon loaded, equipment accounted for).
“ROOM CLEAR!” Signal from team leader to team members, squad leader, and
follow-on teams that the room is secure and cleared.
“COMING OUT!” Signal given by an individual or team that they are about to exit a
room.
“COME OUT!” Reply given by security element or follow-on team that it is safe to
exit the room.
“COMING IN!” Signal given by an individual who is about to enter an occupied
room.
“COME IN!” Reply given by an occupant of a room stating it is safe to enter.
“COMING UP (DOWN)! Signal given by an individual or team that is about to ascend or
descend a stairway.
“COME UP (DOWN)!” Reply given by security element that it is safe to ascend or
descend a stairway.
“MAN DOWN!” Signal given when an individual has been wounded or injured and
cannot continue his mission.
“SHORT ROOM!” Signal given by either the number 1 man or the number 2 man to
indicate a small room, and that all team members should not enter.
“GRENADE!” A command given by any soldier, when an enemy grenade has
been thrown. All soldiers need to take immediate actions. Although
difficult, the soldier should identify the location of the grenade, if
possible.
“GO LONG!” A command given by one member of the team to tell another team
member to take up security farther into the room or farther down a
hallway.
“GUN DOWN” A signal given when an individual’s weapon has malfunctioned and
is being corrected.
“GUN UP” A signal given when an individual has corrected a malfunction and
is ready for action.
“RELOADING” A signal given when an individual is reloading any weapon system.
This signal is followed by “GUN UP” when ready.
Images are courtesy of the DOD.
Lt. (USN)
Feb 6 2007, 07:38 PM
INDIVIDUAL WEAPONS CONTROL WHEN MOVING
As in all combat situations, the clearing team members must move tactically and safely.
Individuals who are part of a clearing team must move in a standard manner, using
practiced techniques known to all.
a. When moving, team members maintain muzzle awareness by holding their
weapons with the muzzle pointed in the direction of travel. Soldiers keep the butt of the
rifle in the pocket of their shoulder, with the muzzle slightly down to allow unobstructed
vision. Soldiers keep both eyes open and swing the muzzle as they turn their head so the
rifle is always aimed where the soldier is looking. This procedure allows to soldier to see
what or who is entering their line of fire.
b. Team members avoid flagging (leading) with the weapon when working around
windows, doors, corners, or areas where obstacles must be negotiated. Flagging the
weapon gives advance warning to anyone looking in the soldier’s direction, making it
easier for an enemy to grab the weapon.
c. Team members should keep weapons on safe (selector switch on SAFE and index
finger outside of trigger guard) until a hostile target is identified and engaged. After a
team member clears his sector of all targets, he returns his weapon to the SAFE position.
d. If a soldier has a weapons malfunction during room clearing, he should
immediately announce “gun down” and drop to one knee and conduct immediate action
to reduce the malfunction. The other members of the team should engage targets in his
sector. Once the weapon is operational, he should announce “gun up” and remain in the
kneeling position until directed to stand-up by the team leader.
CLEARING
Infantry units often use close combat to enter and clear buildings and rooms. This section
describes the TTP for clearing.
HIGH INTENSITY VERSUS PRECISION CLEARING TECHNIQUES
Precision clearing techniques do not replace other techniques currently being used to
clear buildings and rooms during high-intensity combat. Specifically, they do not replace
the clearing technique in which a fragmentation or concussion grenade is thrown into a
room before the US forces enter. Precision room clearing techniques are used when the
tactical situation calls for room-by-room clearing of a relatively intact building in which
enemy combatants and noncombatants may be intermixed. They involve increased risk in
order to clear a building methodically, rather than using overwhelming firepower to
eliminate or neutralize all its inhabitants.
a. From a conceptual standpoint, standard high-intensity room clearing drills can be
thought of as a deliberate attack. The task is to seize control of the room with the purpose
being the neutralization of the enemy in the room. The fragmentation and or concussion
grenades can be thought of as the preparatory fires used before the assault. As in a
deliberate attack against any objective, the assaulting elements move into position using
covered and concealed routes. The preparatory fires (fragmentation and or concussion
grenades) are initiated when soldiers are as close to the objective as they can get without
being injured by the fires. The assault element follows the preparatory fires onto the
objective as closely as possible. A rapid, violent assault overwhelms and destroys the
enemy force and seizes the objective.
b. Compared to the deliberate attack represented by high-intensity room clearing
techniques, precision room clearing techniques are more conceptually like a
reconnaissance in force or perhaps an infiltration attack. During a reconnaissance in
force, the friendly unit seeks to determine the enemy’s locations, dispositions, strength,
and intentions. Once the enemy is located, the friendly force is fully prepared to engage
and destroy it, especially if surprise is achieved. The friendly force retains the options of
not employing preparatory fires (fragmentation and or concussion grenades) if they are
not called for (the enemy is not in the room) or if they are inappropriate (there are
noncombatants present also). The attacking unit may choose to create a diversion (use a
stun grenade) to momentarily distract the defender while they enter and seize the
objective.
c. The determination of which techniques to employ is up to the leader on the scene
and is based on his analysis of the existing METT-TC conditions. The deliberate attack
(high-intensity techniques), with its devastating suppressive and preparatory fires,
neutralizes everyone in the room and is less dangerous to the assaulting troops. The
reconnaissance in force (precision techniques) conserves ammunition, reduces damage,
and minimizes the chance of noncombatant casualties. Unfortunately, even when
well-executed, it is very stressful and hazardous for friendly troops.
d. Certain precision room clearing techniques, such as methods of squad and fire
team movement, the various firing stances, weapon positioning, and reflexive shooting,
are useful for all combat in confined areas. Other techniques, such as entering a room
without first neutralizing known enemy occupants by fire or explosives, are appropriate
in only some tactical situations.
e. Generally, if a room or building is occupied by an alerted enemy force that is
determined to resist, and if most or all noncombatants are clear, overwhelming firepower
should be employed to avoid friendly casualties. In such a situation, supporting fires,
demolitions, and fragmentation grenades should be used to neutralize a space before
friendly troops enter.
f. In some combat situations the use of heavy supporting fires and demolitions
would cause unacceptable collateral damage or would unnecessarily slow the unit’s
movement. In other situations, often during stability and support operations, enemy
combatants are so intermixed with noncombatants that US forces cannot, in good
conscience, use all available supporting fires. Room-by-room clearing may be necessary.
At such times, precision room clearing techniques are most appropriate.
PRINCIPLES OF PRECISION ROOM CLEARING
Battles that occur at close quarters, such as within a room or hallway, must be planned
and executed with care. Units must train, practice, and rehearse precision room clearing
techniques until each fire team and squad operates smoothly. Each unit member must
understand the principles of precision room clearing: surprise, speed, and controlled
violence of action.
a. Surprise. Surprise is the key to a successful assault at close quarters. The fire
team or squad clearing the room must achieve surprise, if only for seconds, by deceiving,
distracting, or startling the enemy. Sometimes stun grenades may be used to achieve surprise.
These are more effective against a nonalert, poorly trained enemy than against
alert, well-trained soldiers.
b. Speed. Speed provides a measure of security to the clearing unit. It allows
soldiers to use the first few vital seconds provided by surprise to their maximum
advantage. In precision room clearing, speed is not how fast you enter the room, rather
it’s how fast the threat is eliminated and the room is cleared.
c. Controlled Violence of Action. Controlled violence of action eliminates or
neutralizes the enemy while giving him the least chance of inflicting friendly casualties.
It is not limited to the application of firepower only, but also involves a soldier mind-set
of complete domination. Each of the principles of precision room clearing has a
synergistic relationship to the others. Controlled violence coupled with speed increases
surprise. Hence, successful surprise allows increased speed.
FUNDAMENTALS OF PRECISION ROOM CLEARING
The eleven fundamentals of precision room clearing address actions soldiers take while
moving along confined corridors to the room to be cleared, while preparing to enter the
room, during room entry and target engagement, and after contact. Team members—
1Move tactically and silently while securing the corridors to the room to be
cleared.
2Carry only the minimum amount of equipment. (Rucksacks and loose items
carried by soldiers tire them, slow their pace, and cause noise.)
3Arrive undetected at the entry to the room in the correct order of entrance,
prepared to enter on a single command.
4Enter quickly and dominate the room. Move immediately to positions that allow
complete control of the room and provide unobstructed fields of fire.
5Eliminate all enemy in the room by fast, accurate, and discriminating fires.
6Gain and maintain immediate control of the situation and all personnel in the
room.
7Confirm whether enemy casualties are wounded or dead. Disarm, segregate, and
treat the wounded. Search all enemy casualties.
8Perform a cursory search of the room. Determine if a detailed search is required.
9Evacuate all wounded and any friendly dead.
10Mark the room as cleared using a simple, clearly identifiable marking in
accordance with the unit SOP.
11Maintain security and be prepared to react to more enemy contact at any moment.
Do not neglect rear security.
COMPOSITION OF THE CLEARING TEAM
Precision room clearing techniques are designed to be executed by the standard four-man
fire team. Because of the confined spaces typical of building- and room-clearing
operations, units larger than squads quickly become unwieldy. When shortages of
personnel demand it, room clearing can be conducted with two- or three-man teams, but
four-man teams are preferred. Using fewer personnel greatly increases the combat strain
and risks.
BREACHING
An integral part of precision room clearing is the ability to gain access quickly to the
rooms to be cleared. Breaching techniques vary based on the type of construction
encountered and the types of munitions available to the breaching element. Techniques
range from simple mechanical breaching to complex, specialized demolitions.
a. A useful method of breaching is the shotgun ballistic breach for forced entry of
standard doors. A 12-gauge shotgun loaded with buckshot or slugs can be used to breach
most standard doors quickly. Number 9 shot works equally well with reduced collateral
damage on the other side of the door. When done properly, the shotgun breach requires
only a few seconds. The two standard techniques of shotgun breaching are the doorknob
breach and the hinge breach. When attempting either technique, the gunner is
announcing his presence by using the shotgun and is completely exposed to fire through
the door. Therefore, exposure time must be minimized and the number 1 man must be
ready to gain entry and return fire as soon as possible. While holding the stock of the
shotgun in the pocket of his shoulder, the gunner places the muzzle tightly against the
door, and aims down at a 45-degree angle.
(1) For the doorknob breach, the aim point is a spot halfway between the doorknob
and the frame, not at the doorknob itself. The gunner fires two quick shots in the same
location, ensuring the second shot is aimed as carefully as the first. Weak locks may fly
apart with the first shot, but the gunner should always fire twice. Some locks that appear
to be blown apart have parts still connected that can delay entry. If the lock is not
defeated by the second shot, the gunner repeats the procedure. Doors may not always
open after firing. The gunner should be prepared to kick the door after firing to ensure
opening of the entry point.
(2) The hinge breach technique is performed much the same as the doorknob breach,
except the gunner aims at the hinges. He fires three shots per hinge—the first at the
middle, then at the top and bottom. He fires all shots from less than an inch away from
the hinge. Because the hinges are often hidden from view, the hinge breach is more
difficult. Hinges are generally 8 to 10 inches from the top and bottom of the door; the
center hinge is generally 36 inches from the top, centered on the door. Regardless of
which technique the gunner uses, immediately after he fires, he kicks the door in or
pulls it out. He then pulls the shotgun barrel sharply upward and quickly turns away from
the doorway to signal that the breach point has been cleared. This rapid clearing of the
doorway allows the following man in the fire team a clear shot at any enemy who may
be blocking the immediate breach site.
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. The order of movement to the breach point is
determined by the method of breach and intended actions at the breach point. The
members of the fire team are assigned numbers 1 through 4, with the team leader
normally designated number 2. 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) Ballistic (Shotgun) Breach. The order of movement for a shotgun breach has the
gunner up front, followed by the number 1 man, number 2 man (team leader), and then
the number 3 man. After the door is breached, the gunner moves to the rear of the lineup
and assumes the position of the number 4 man.
(2) Explosive (Demolition) Breach. The order of movement for an explosive breach
without engineer support is number 1, number 2 (team leader), number 3, and then
number 4. The number 1 man provides security at the doorway. The number 2 man (team
leader) carries the demolition charge and places it. The number 3 man provides security
overhead, and the number 4 man provides rear security. After the demolition charge is
placed, the team moves to covered positions and prepares to enter in the standard 1, 2, 3,
4 order.
(3) Mechanical Breach. A suggested order of movement for a mechanical breach is
the initial assault team in order, followed by the breach man or element. At the breach
point, the assault team leader brings the breach team forward while the assault team
provides local security. After the breach is conducted, the breach team moves aside and
provides local security as the assault team enters the breach.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR ENTRY
The entire team enters the room as quickly and smoothly as possible and clears the
doorway immediately. If possible, the team moves from a covered or concealed position
already in their entry order. Ideally, the team arrives and passes through the entry point
without having to stop.
a. The door is the focal point of anyone in the room. It is known as the fatal funnel,
because it focuses attention at the precise point where the individual team members are
the most vulnerable. Moving into the room quickly reduces the chance anyone being hit
by enemy fire directed at the doorway.
b. On the signal to go, the clearing team moves from covered or concealed positions
through the door quickly and takes up positions inside the room that allow it to
completely dominate the room and eliminate the threat. Team members stop movement
only after they have cleared the door and reached their designated point of domination.
The first man’s position is deep into the near corner of the room. The depth of his
movement is determined by the size of the room, any obstacles in the room, such as
furniture, and by the number and location of enemy and noncombatants in the room.
c. To make precision room clearing techniques work, each member of the team must
know his sector of fire and how his sector overlaps and links with the sectors of the other
team members. Team members do not move to the point of domination and then engage
their targets. They engage targets as they move to their designated point. However,
engagements must not slow movement to their points of domination. Team members may
shoot from as short a range as 1 to 2 inches. They engage the most immediate enemy
threats first. Examples of immediate threats are enemy personnel who—
1Are armed and prepared to return fire immediately.
2Block movement to the position of domination.
3Are within arm’s reach of a clearing team member.
4Are within 3 to 5 feet of the breach point.
d. Each clearing team member has a designated sector of fire unique to him initially
and expands to overlap sectors of the other team members.
(1) The number 1 and number 2 men are initially concerned with the area directly to
their front, then along the wall on either side of the door or entry point. This area is in
their path of movement, and it is their primary sector of fire. Their alternate sector of fire
is from the wall they are moving toward, back to the opposite far corner.
(2) The number 3 and number 4 men start at the center of the wall opposite their point
of entry and clear to the left if moving toward the left, or to the right if moving toward the
right. They stop short of their respective team member (either the number 1 man or the
number 2 man).
e. The team members move toward their points of domination, engaging all targets
in their sector. Team members must exercise fire control and discriminate between
hostile and noncombatant room occupants. Shooting is done without stopping, using
reflexive shooting techniques. Because the soldiers are moving and shooting at the same
time, they must move using careful hurry.
REFLEXIVE SHOOTING
Precision room clearing allows little or no margin for error. Too slow a shot at an enemy,
too fast a shot at a noncombatant, or inaccurate shots can all be disastrous for the clearing
team. Proper weapon ready technique, stance, aiming, shot placement, and trigger
manipulations constitute reflexive shooting. Reflexive shooting techniques are used by all
members of the fire team, to include M203 and M249 gunners.
a. Weapon Ready Positions. The two weapon ready positions are low ready and
high ready.
(1) Low Ready Position. The butt of the weapon is placed firmly in the pocket of the
shoulder with the barrel pointed down at a 45-degree angle. This position is the safest
carry position. It should be used by the clearing team while inside the room, except when
actually entering and clearing.
(2) High, Ready Position. The butt of the weapon is held under the armpit, with the
barrel pointed slightly up, keeping the front sight assembly under the line of sight but
within the gunner’s peripheral vision. To engage a target, the gunner pushes the weapon
out as if to bayonet the target. When the weapon leaves the armpit, he slides it up into the
firing shoulder. This technique is used when moving in a single file.
b. Stance. Feet are about shoulder-width apart. Toes are pointed to the front
(direction of movement). The firing side foot is slightly staggered to the rear of the nonfiring
side foot. Knees are slightly bent and the upper body is leaned slightly forward.
Shoulders are square and pulled back, not rolled over or slouched. The head is up and
both eyes are open. When engaging targets, the gunner holds the weapon with the butt in
the pocket of his shoulder.
c. Aiming with Iron Sights. The four aiming techniques all have their place during
combat in urban areas, but the aimed quick-kill technique is the one most often used in
precision room clearing.
(1) Slow Aimed Fire. This technique is the most accurate. It consists of taking up a
steady, properly aligned sight picture and squeezing off rounds. It is normally used for
engagements beyond 25 meters or when the need for accuracy overrides speed.
(2) Rapid Aimed Fire. This technique features an imperfect sight picture in which
windage is critical but elevation is of lesser importance. When the front sight post is in
line with the target, the gunner squeezes the trigger. This technique is used against targets
out to 15 meters and is fairly accurate and very fast.
(3) Aimed Quick Kill. This technique consists of using a good spot weld and placing
the front sight post flush on top of the rear peep sight. It is used for very quick shots out
to 12 meters. Windage is important, but elevation is not critical with relation to the target.
This technique is the fastest and most accurate. With practice, soldiers can become
deadly shots at close range.
(4) Instinctive Fire. This technique is the least desirable. The gunner focuses on the
target and points the weapon in the target’s general direction, using muscle memory to
compensate for lack of aim. This technique should be used only in emergencies.
d. M68 Close Combat Optic. The M68 close combat optic (CCO) is an excellent
close combat aiming system when used properly. Remember, the M68 is not a telescope
sight.
(1) Aimed Fire. This technique requires looking through the CCO with both eyes
open and focusing on the target. An optical illusion places a red aiming dot in front of the
firer. The dot is placed on the target then the target is engaged with fire. The aiming dot
does not have to be centered in the optic. The CCO is used in the same manner at all
ranges. Therefore, there is no distinction between slow aimed fire, rapid aimed fire, and
aimed quick kill techniques.
(2) Instinctive Fire. This technique remains the same with the CCO.
e. Trigger Manipulation. Rapid, aimed, semiautomatic fire is the most effective
method of engaging targets during precision room clearing. As each round is fired from
the aimed quick-kill position, the weapon’s recoil makes the front sight post move in a
small natural arc. The gunner should not fight this recoil. He should let the weapon make
the arc and immediately bring the front sight post back onto the target and take another
shot. This two-shot combination is known as firing a controlled pair. Soldiers must
practice a controlled pair until it becomes instinctive. Clearing team members continue to
fire controlled pairs until the target goes down. If there are multiple targets, team
members engage with a controlled pair and then return to reengage any enemy left
standing or still trying to resist.
f. Shot Placement. In precision room clearing, enemy soldiers must be
incapacitated immediately. Shots that wound or are mortal but do not incapacitate the
target instantaneously are better than misses but may allow the enemy to return fire.
While a solid head-shot is expected to instantaneously incapacitate the enemy, a target
area of 5 by 8 inches may be difficult to hit when moving rapidly in a low crouch
position.
(1) Members of clearing teams should concentrate on achieving solid, well-placed
shots (controlled pairs) to the upper chest, then to the head . This shot placement
increases the first round hit probability and allows for a second round incapacitating shot.
(2) This engagement technique is more reliable than attempting head-shots only and
is easy for soldiers to learn, having been taught previously to aim at center of mass.
g. Reflexive Shooting Techniques During Limited Visibility. Reflexive shooting
techniques are also used during periods of limited visibility.
(1) Visible Illumination. When using flashlights or other visible illumination, treat all
engagements as day engagements and use the applicable technique as described above.
Bright light shone into the enemy’s eyes can limit his effectiveness; also, be aware that a
flashlight marks your location as well.
(2) AN/PAQ-4 and AN/PEQ-2 Aiming Lights. When using IR aiming lights in
conjunction with night vision goggles (NVGs), use the instinctive fire technique to point
the weapon at the target while activating the aiming light. This technique should place the
aiming dot within the field of view of the NVGs and on or near the target. Adjust
placement of the aiming dot onto the target and fire. Note that target discrimination is
more difficult when using NVGs. IR illumination provided by flashlights with IR filters,
or the illuminator that is integral with the PEQ-2, can aid in target identification and
discrimination. IR illumination is also required inside buildings when there is no ambient
light.
(3) AN/PAS-13 Thermal Weapons Sight. The thermal weapons sight (TWS) offers
some distinct advantages over IR viewers. It does not require any ambient light and does
not bloom out when encountering a sudden light source. However, its weight and bulk are
a disadvantage when performing reflexive firing techniques. With the sight in the ON
position, the TWS has a power saving feature that turns off the viewer after a period of
inactivity. The soldier reactivates the sight by placing his eye against the rubber eyecup.
When reactivated, it takes a few seconds for the sight to cool itself down enough to regain
an image. This delay is not acceptable for soldiers using TWS while conducting
room and building clearing tasks. When performing precision clearing tasks, the TWS
must remain in the EMERGENCY setting, which allows it to remain continuously active.
(4) When using the TWS during periods of limited visibility, it is best to use the
PAQ-4 aiming light, with the AN/PVS-14 Monocular NVG for reflexive shooting
engagements. Use the TWS when the slow aimed fire technique is appropriate. For
daytime and high visibility periods, soldiers using the TWS should not be placed on
point, or be among the numbers 1 through 3 men of a room clearing team. When
employed in urban operations, soldiers must be aware that the TWS cannot detect targets
through window glass. The TWS is effective in daytime for locating targets hidden
in shadows.
TARGET DISCRIMINATION
Target discrimination is the act of quickly distinguishing between combatant and
noncombatant personnel and engaging only the combatants. US forces engage in
precision room clearing to apply discriminating combat power and limit unnecessary
casualties among noncombatants. Target discrimination is vital in precision room
clearing. If there are no noncombatants then there is less of a need for selective
engagements. However, even if an area is known to be free of noncombatants, other
soldiers moving through the area may be mistaken as enemy and engaged unless clearing
team members are disciplined and well-trained in fire control and target discrimination.
Even with well-trained, disciplined soldiers, precision room clearing can result in
unintentional casualties among noncombatants. Commanders must recognize this and
take steps to relieve the stress it causes soldiers.
MOVEMENT WITHIN A BUILDING
When operating under precision conditions, movement techniques may be modified
based on the room clearing technique being used. The terrain, the enemy situation,
visibility, and the likelihood of contact dictate movement techniques.
a. Individual Movement. When moving within a building, the soldier avoids
silhouetting himself in doors and windows . When moving in hallways, he never moves
alone—he always moves with at least one other soldier for security. The soldier should
try to stay 12 to 18 inches away from walls when moving; rubbing against walls may
alert an enemy on the other side, or, if engaged by an enemy, ricochet rounds tend to
travel parallel to a wall.
b. Hallway Clearing Techniques. The clearing team must always be alert. Team
members provide security at the breach point and to the rear. Inside buildings they
provide security laterally down corridors, and upward if near stairs or landings. Hallway
intersections are dangerous areas and should be approached cautiously.
(1) Serpentine. 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. The number 4 man, normally carrying the M249, provides rear protection against
any enemy soldiers suddenly appearing behind the clearing team.
(2) Rolling T. The rolling-T technique is used in wide hallways. The number 1 and
number 2 men move abreast, covering the opposite side of the hallway from the one they
are walking on. The number 3 man covers the far end of the hallway from a position
behind the number 1 and number 2 men, firing between them. Once again, the number 4
man provides rear security.
c. Clearing Stairwells and Staircases. Stairwells and staircases are comparable to
doorways in that they create a fatal funnel; however, the danger is intensified by the
three-dimensional aspect of additional landings. The ability of the squad or team to
conduct the movement depends upon which direction they are traveling and the layout of
the stairs. Regardless, the clearing technique follows a basic format:
1The squad leader designates an assault element to clear the stairs.
2The squad or team maintains 360-degree, three-dimensional security in the
vicinity of the stairs.
3The squad leader then directs the assault team to locate, mark, bypass and or
clear any obstacles or booby traps that may be blocking access to the stairs.
4The assault element moves up (or down) the stairways by using either the
two-, three-, or four-man flow technique, providing overwatch up and down
the stairs while moving.
Thank Uncle Sam for this info
