Fm 31 28 Fouo Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat 1 December 1999 — 25 ((better))
The publication you're referring to, , is the primary U.S. Army field manual for the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) course.
First published around December 1, 1999, it was developed under the direction of BG Boykin to standardize urban combat training and doctrine across Special Forces groups. Key Manual Details
Classification: Historically marked as For Official Use Only (FOUO), meaning it was intended for government use and not approved for general public release. Under current Department of Defense policy, the FOUO marking is being phased out and replaced by Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Purpose: It serves as the definitive guide for SFAUC, a multi-week course that Green Berets attend after completing the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC).
Core Topics: The manual covers advanced tactical proficiency in high-intensity urban environments, including:
Close Quarter Combat (CQB): Room clearing and shoothouse drills.
Advanced Marksmanship: Rifle, pistol, and shotgun training focused on speed and accuracy.
Breaching: Mechanical and explosive entry techniques for doors, windows, and fences.
Urban Movement: Navigating dense areas, including rooftops and alleyways.
Specialized Techniques: Fast-roping, rappelling, and night operations. Where to Find More Information
While the full manual is generally restricted to official military channels, you can find unclassified overviews and training videos through several official Special Operations platforms:
(U) Intelligence Community Markings System Register ... - CDSE
Page 1. UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO. This document is not approved for public release. UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO.
FM 31-28, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) , dated 1 December 1999, is a highly specialized U.S. Army Field Manual that provides the doctrinal foundation for elite urban operations. Classified as For Official Use Only (FOUO)
at the time of its release, it details the "how-to" for Special Forces (SF) units tasked with operating in complex, high-density metropolitan environments. specialforcestraining.info Key Components of SFAUC Doctrine The manual serves as the primary reference for the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC)
course, which every Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (SFODA) must undergo to maintain mission readiness. It focuses on three core areas: specialforcestraining.info Advanced Marksmanship The publication you're referring to, , is the primary U
: Techniques for precision shooting in confined spaces, including "quick fire" and "assault fire" methods specifically designed for the rapid tempo of urban engagements. Close Quarter Combat (CQC/CQB)
: Detailed procedures for "shoothouse" drills, room clearing, and breaching, emphasizing the "warrior first" mindset needed to destroy enemies in close proximity. Mission Planning & Infiltration
: Strategies for navigating the "three-dimensional" urban battlefield—considering height (snipers, rooftops) as much as depth and width. This includes insertion by foot, vehicle, or air in both permissive and non-permissive environments. specialforcestraining.info Historical Significance Evolution of Strategy
: Released in 1999, this manual bridged the gap between Cold War-era "bypass" strategies and the modern necessity of fighting within cities, as seen in conflicts like Chechnya and later in Iraq. Specialized Scope : Unlike general urban manuals like FM 3-06 (Urban Operations)
, FM 31-28 focuses exclusively on the "indirect combat" and surgical strike capabilities of Special Forces. Training Standards
: It established the benchmark for "true mastery" in urban environments, moving beyond simple checklists to focus on trained instinct and adaptive decision-making under extreme stress. apps.dtic.mil Urban Combat Service Support Operations - DTIC
The document FM 31-28 Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC)
, dated 1 December 1999, is a critical historical and technical manual designed to provide Special Forces
commanders and operational detachments with a standardized doctrinal basis for high-intensity operations in urbanized terrain. specialforcestraining.info Review Overview : It serves as the primary guidance for the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC)
course, which is a mandatory advanced training program for Special Forces Operational Detachment "A" (ODA) members following their initial qualification. Target Audience
: Specifically tailored for ODA, ODB, and ODC commanders to organize and prepare for missions involving sensitive special operations
, including direct action and counter-terrorism in urban centers. Core Focus
: The manual emphasizes the transition from traditional unconventional warfare to Close Quarters Battle (CQB)
, focusing on precision tactics where "every angle is covered" and threats are neutralized with extreme speed. specialforcestraining.info Key Tactical Components
As described in the manual's framework and the associated course, several specialized skill sets are prioritized: Breaching Operations : Detailed instruction on both mechanical and explosive breaching to gain entry into fortified structures. Infiltration Methods Urban Terrain and Environment : Description of the
: Techniques for reaching targets in dense urban areas, including helicopter insertion fast-roping parachute infiltration Precision Shooting : Instruction on advanced marksmanship
, including quick-fire and assault-fire techniques specifically adapted for the restricted sightlines of buildings and rubble. Mission Planning : Guidelines for high-value target (HVT)
capture or elimination, navigating complex roadblocks, and vehicle search procedures. specialforcestraining.info Historical Significance
Released in late 1999, this manual captured the Army's shifting realization that "urban combat will negate many of the technological advantages" of the era, necessitating a more aggressive and specialized training regime to avoid costly defeats in future urban theaters. apps.dtic.mil from this manual, such as explosive breaching room clearing procedures? SF Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) - Special Forces Training
FM 31-28 FOUNO Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat 1 December 1999
Overview
This field manual, FM 31-28 FOUNO, published on December 1, 1999, focuses on Special Forces advanced urban combat. The manual provides tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for Special Forces operating in urban environments. The document emphasizes the complexity of urban terrain and the need for specialized training and techniques to navigate and combat within cities.
Content Structure
The manual is structured to address the unique challenges of urban combat, including:
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Urban Terrain and Environment: Description of the urban terrain and its effects on operations, including visibility, cover, and obstacles.
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Reconnaissance and Surveillance: Techniques for conducting reconnaissance and surveillance in urban areas, emphasizing the use of civilian clothes and blending in with the local population.
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Engagement and Combat Techniques: Detailed techniques for engaging enemy forces in urban environments, including room clearing, building searches, and sniping.
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Movement and Navigation: Methods for navigating through urban areas undetected, including moving through buildings, using maps, and maintaining direction.
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Communication and Signals Intelligence: Strategies for maintaining effective communication while minimizing the risk of detection.
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Casualty Evacuation and Medical Treatment: Procedures for evacuating and treating casualties in the urban environment, minimizing exposure to civilian populations. 12. Quick reference: assault checklist (condensed)
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Civilian Considerations: The importance of minimizing civilian casualties and collateral damage, including interaction with local authorities and populations.
Tactical Considerations
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Combined Arms and Joint Operations: The manual highlights the importance of integrating with other military branches and international forces in urban combat scenarios.
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Sniper and Observer Teams: Detailed use of snipers and observers for overwatch, reconnaissance, and targeting enemy forces.
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Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Mines: Countermeasures against IEDs and mines commonly encountered in urban warfare.
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Urban Patrolling: Conducting foot patrols through urban areas safely and effectively.
Training and Implementation
The manual emphasizes that personnel should receive advanced training in urban combat techniques. Simulation and practical exercises are recommended to prepare units for the physical and psychological stresses of urban combat.
Conclusion
FM 31-28 FOUNO provides comprehensive guidance on advanced urban combat techniques for Special Forces. The manual acknowledges the urban environment's complexity and the operational challenges it presents. The document underscores the need for specialized training, adaptability, and decisive action in urban combat scenarios.
Limitations and Dated Information
As a document published over two decades ago, some tactics, techniques, and procedures may have been superseded by newer doctrine or advances in technology. However, the foundational principles of urban warfare remain relevant, and this manual can still serve as a valuable resource for understanding the principles of advanced urban combat.
Recommendation
This manual is recommended reading for military professionals, particularly those involved in special operations, urban warfare training, and tactical planning. Civilian security professionals and scholars interested in military science and tactics may also find it a useful resource.
7. Support and enablers
- Indirect and precision fires: use precision-guided munitions and forward observers to limit collateral damage; coordinate with higher echelons.
- Aviation: use helicopters for fast-roping, aerial reconnaissance, CAS where permissible by ROE.
- Engineers/EOD: breaching explosives, rendering safe IEDs, structural assessments.
- Medical: forward stabilization, triage points, CASEVAC routes and priorities.
- Civil Affairs/Information Ops: manage civilian populations, media, infrastructure impacts.
4. Doctrinal Evolution: 1999 to Today
The tactics in FM 31-28 were state-of-the-art for 1999, but two decades of continuous war in Iraq and Afghanistan drastically changed how the U.S. Army approaches urban combat.
- Vehicle Integration: FM 31-28 focused heavily on dismounted operations. Post-2001 doctrine heavily integrates up-armored vehicles (Humvees, MRAPs, Strykers) into urban maneuver, a concept less mature in 1999.
- Technology: The manual relied on analog maps and manual breach calculations. Modern doctrine incorporates GPS, drone surveillance (UAS), and digital command-and-control systems that were in their infancy in 1999.
- Host Nation Training: While FM 31-28 touched on training locals, the massive scale of the "Foreign Internal Defense" (FID) mission in Iraq and Afghanistan expanded this doctrine significantly.
5. Movement and assault techniques
- Approach: covert infiltration, use of concealment, deception, synchronized movement along covered routes.
- Entry methods: deliberate (keyed breaching, explosives), stealth (quiet entry), dynamic (speed/overmatch). Select based on mission and ROE.
- Room clearing: stack, entry, immediate domination, pieing/step-through methods; designate roles (point, rear security, searcher, dominate).
- Close-quarters marksmanship (CQB): muzzle and trigger discipline, controlled pairs, controlled pairs with bounding, immediate action drills.
- Stairwells and vertical clearance: use of grenades minimally, speed/cover coordination, team-by-team clearing upward/downward with rope/ladder considerations.
- Rooftop and subterranean ops: route selection, roof access/egress, skylight hazards, ventilation shafts, confined-space search tactics.
12. Quick reference: assault checklist (condensed)
- Mission/purpose — confirmed
- Intelligence brief — complete
- ROE — confirmed
- Team roles — assigned
- Rehearsal — complete
- Communications — redundant verified
- Breaching plan — selected and tools ready
- Support assets — available and coordinated
- CASEVAC plan — set with routes and pickup points
- Civilian safety plan — established
