text: Chapter 5
  Rural Visual Indicators
  5-129. Visual indicators in a rural operational environment include—
  • Air holes.
  • Worn places on trees the insurgent uses as handholds.
  • A small trail, much like a game trail, through the brush into a clump of small trees
  • Cut trees and Limbs tied near a treetop to conceal the use of a tunnel from aircraft.
  • Slight depression in or around a group of small trees.
  • A lone individual, especially a female, in the area.
  • Fresh cooked food with no one attending the site.
  • Fresh human feces in an area.
  Urban Visual Indicators
  5-130. Visual indicators in an urban operational environment include—
  • Sewer, storm drain, or utility grates or manhole covers
  • Disturbed soil in mature gardens
  • Presence of flooring materials in homes, businesses, and other structures not under
  construction.
  RAID
  5-131. This is an operation to temporarily seize an area in order to secure information, confuse an
  adversary, capture personnel or equipment, or to destroy a capability. It ends with a planned withdrawal
  upon completion of the assigned mission (JP 3-0). A raid is conducted to destroy a position or installation,
  destroy or capture insurgents or equipment, free friendly prisoners, or seize possible intelligence;
  and is followed by a rapid withdrawal. By capturing insurgents, information can be developed into
  intelligence and confiscating contraband can contribute to improved public order and safety. It is often
  used as part of a strike operation. For additional information on raids, see FM 3-21.8 and FM 3-21.10.
  5-132. A raid in a COIN environment can differ from a raid in conventional operations since the
  requirement for minimizing collateral damage may be a significant factor. In addition, the time on the
  objective prior to withdrawal may be greater, due to the requirement to conduct a detailed SE. As in all
  raids, the success of the raid is based on accurate, timely, and detailed intelligence and planning.
  CONSIDERATIONS
  5-133. Raids in COIN could have lasting effects on the population and the insurgents. Specific
  considerations using elements of the mission variables are—
  Mission
  5-134. In a COIN, raids target insurgents, terrain, intelligence, or equipment. Missions are often executed
  in conjunction with a form of cordon to prevent enemy escape into the population. Units should plan
  and rehearse according to target intelligence, the commander’s intent, and the purpose of the raid.
  Enemy
  5-135. The objective of the raid may be a valuable asset the insurgency is prepared to defend. Often, the
  insurgent will have additional forces in the area positioned to alert, react, facilitate egress, or conduct
  combat. Effective reconnaissance can increase awareness of these factors.
  Time Available
  5-136. Leaders should plan on allowing time for follow-on missions based on exploitable information.
  Also, units should not stay on the objective too long.