Fm 31 28 Fouo Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat 1 December 1999 Pdf May 2026
FM 31-28 Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC)
, dated 1 December 1999, is a restricted U.S. Army Field Manual that establishes the doctrinal foundation for advanced Close Quarters Battle (CQB) and urban warfare techniques specifically for Special Forces Operational Detachment "A" (ODA).
FM 31-28 FOUO Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat 1 December 1999 Pdf
Even though the document is over 25 years old, the remains highly relevant. While drone warfare and EW (Electronic Warfare) have changed the battlefield, the fundamental physics of moving a squad through a narrow alley or clearing a stairwell have not changed significantly. FM 31-28 Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC)
The Evolution of Urban Warfare
Field Manual (FM) 31-28, Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC), dated 1 December 1999, outlines foundational doctrine for high-risk urban operations, focusing on Close Quarters Battle (CQB), precision breaching, and rapid decision-making. While classified as FOUO (For Official Use Only), these techniques established the bedrock for modern, multi-domain special operations training. For a detailed overview of these historical tactics, visit Special Forces Training . SF Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) - Special Forces Training prearranged verbal cues
- Emphasizes flexibility: operations must be planned around specific objectives (direct action, reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, counterterrorism), not a one‑size strategy.
- Encourages modular task-organizations: small teams, exploitation cells, and liaison elements combine or separate depending on mission phase.
- Room and building clearing procedures: stack formations, entry techniques, room domination, clearing sequence, and internal movement.
- Weapons and gear: loadouts optimized for short-range engagements, less-lethal options, breaching tools, and night-vision devices.
- Individual and team roles: point man, team leader, breacher, rear security, and medic.
- Use of hand and arm signals, prearranged verbal cues, and simple command and control to maintain tempo.
