40ID Urban Warfare

Latest News 

Upcoming Events

  • 14-20 May 2023, 40th ID Urban Operations Planner Course 2023-01. You can request a seat for the resident or virtual course or ask any additional questions by emailing the 40th ID Urban Operation team at 40ID-urban-warfare@army.mil
  • 25-31 August 2024,  40th ID Urban Operations Planner Course 2024-01. You can request a seat for the resident or virtual course or ask any additional questions by emailing the 40th ID Urban Operation team at 40ID-urban-warfare@army.mil

This page is an effort by 40th ID Urban Warfare Center to offer one-stop shopping for urban warfare history, scholarship, resources, and points of contact for the Urban Operations Community of Interest (COI), including military, academic, and allied/international organizations. This is a living webpage, updated often to keep it relevant, and the 40th Urban Team welcomes your feedback to improve it!

Please email your suggestions, critiques, and commentaries to 40ID-urban-warfare@army.mil or on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Course Dates:
25-31 August 2024

Course Objective:

The primary objective of the course is for each student to improve their ability to successfully plan, conduct, and sustain urban operations. Each student will graduate from the course understanding capabilities for tactical units to conduct large scale combat operations (LSCO) in a dense urban environment with practical tools to address the challenges faced in the urban fight. The course is geared towards preparing Brigade and Division-level staff officers and enlisted personnel with the knowledge needed to conduct offensive, defensive, and stability operations in the urban environment. Prior to attending the course, students will benefit significantly from a review of the following publications: ATP 3-06 Urban Operations, ATP 3-21.51 Subterranean Operations, and TRADOC Pamphlet 525-92-1 The Changing Character of Warfare: The Urban Operational Environment (each are available at our website under the doctrine Tab).

For inquiries and correspondence contact: 40id-urban-warfare@army.mil 

Course Cadre/Support Team:

Course Manager – SFC Troy Lopez

Reporting:

Upon your arrival to JFTB Los Alamitos, all TDY students must report to the 40th Infantry Division classroom 1103 (11300 Lexington Drive, Bldg. 1000 Los Alamitos, CA. 90720-5176), between the hours of 1000-1900 on 24 August 2024. At this time, you will receive an orientation and conduct in-processing. Students and instructors may check-in with base billeting (4745 Yorktown Ave Bldg. 19 Los Alamitos, CA 90720-5176) 24 August, 2024 between the hours of 0800-2100. Students are required to arrive at JFTB Los Alamitos no earlier than 24 hours prior to start date, unless you coordinate with the 40ID Urban Operations team in advance. JFTB Los Alamitos requires either a Common Access Card or driver’s license to gain access to base. Base security will have an instructor and student roster at the gate for all course participants. In the event you have issues obtaining access to base please contact the course cadre by phone for assistance. 

Orders:

Student orders are the responsibility of your respective unit. Your parent unit is responsible for processing your pay and allowances as well as coordinating all your travel arrangements. Approved students may use line of accounting (LOA) for all CA ARNG Enlisted and Officers is 24 URBAN OFF/ENL. Please reach out to course cadre if you are unsure if you are approve to use LOA listed. Students must have finances in order prior to arrival. It is highly recommended students and instructors possess an active government travel card or equivalent travel credit card from your organization for TDY expenses.

Uniform:

Uniform for the course is the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP), international students equivalent, and business casual for civilians. Washers and dryers are available in the billeting at building 56. Students that are not assigned in that building, must check out a building key with billeting front disk during normal business hours. Students must provide their own laundry detergent. Washer is $1.75/load and $1.50/load to dry. 

Packing list:

The minimum items required upon your arrival at in processing are as follows:

  1. Duty uniform for your military component 
  2. CAC Card and/or driver’s license 
  3. Civilian clothing for evening social events 
  4. Note-taking material 
  5. One printed copy of your military travel orders 

Meals and Lodging:

Hotel accommodations have already been assigned for all students and instructors at JFTB lodging unless you elect to secure off-base lodging at your own expense. JFTB lodging (4745 Yorktown Ave Bldg. 19 Los Alamitos, CA 90720-5176) room rate ranges from $55-$90 per night. All students and instructors will need to secure their lodging reservation through base billeting at 562-795-2124 and provide a credit card number NLT August 18, 2024. Ensure you tell billeting that you are attending the Urban Operations Planner Course. All bed linen will be provided. Free Wi-Fi is available to all guests. Parking is free on base. For more information on base lodging please visit the Joint Forces Training Base NAF-MWR Website. Attached to base billeting is a restaurant and bar (The Pub at Fiddlers Green). Continental breakfast will be offered to the students and instructors daily from 0600-0730 in the small banquet room in bldg. 19, at a rate of $8.00 daily. There will be a sign in sheet for breakfast, and the bill will be added to your room total at checkout. Lunch will be catered for instructors and students throughout the course (see Landing Fee/Working Lunches below). JFTB Los Alamitos does not have a dining facility. 

Landing Fee/Working Lunches:

Each student and instructor will pay the unreimbursed landing fee of $75 upon reporting. $75 will cover the daily catered lunches, coffee, water, and refreshments. If you have any dietary needs or adjustments, please email details to ng.ca.caarng.mbx.40id-urban-warfare@army.mil.

Airports:

If you are flying, the closest airport is the Long Beach Airport (LGB). Airports by distance are as follows:

  1. Long Beach Airport (LGB) – 6.3 miles (recommended) 
  2. John Wayne Airport (SNA) – 19 miles
  3. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 27 miles 
  4. Ontario International Airport (ONT) – 47 miles 

Transportation:

If travel by privately owned vehicle (POV) is not authorized on your orders, it is the responsibility of your unit to provide transportation to and from the course. Transportation for students to and from airports will not be provided. Taxi, Uber, and Lyft are available options for transport to and from the local airports. This expense is reimbursable on your travel voucher. Transportation to and from the airport for instructors will be provided upon request. 

Base Map:

Strip map of all key locations for the course can be found on the 40ID COI page. Urban Operation JFTB Map (.pdf)

Course Agenda:

The daily schedule for the course can be found at the following on the 40ID COI page:

2023 Urban Operations Resident Course Agenda (.pdf)

2023 Urban Operations Virtual Course Agenda (.pdf)

Course Pre-Reading:

The following pre-reading is assigned for each student to read prior to Day 1 of the course:

  1. ATP 3-06 Urban Operations (July 2022), Chapters 1 and 2
  2. Introduction to Urban Warfare by Jesus F. Roman Garcia
  3. ATP 3-21.51 Subterranean Operations (November 2019) Chapter 1
  4. 40ID Gray Book

Classes Online:

All classes will be posted at 40th ID Urban Planner Course Website and the 40th ID Urban Warfare Center YouTube channel after the course concludes. 

Personal Computers/Tape Recorders:

Use of personal laptop and/or tape recorder is authorized for note taking. No loaner laptops will be available.   

Class Social Events: There will be three optional class socials throughout the course. Scheduled social events are as follow:

  1. 25AUG – Golden Road Brewery; Huntington Beach, CA 
  2. 28AUG – Famous Dave’s BQ; Long Beach, CA 
  3. 30AUG – Rock N’ Brews; Buena Park, CA  

Base Amenities: The following base amenities are offered during the duration of the course:

  1. Base Gym – Open Monday-Sunday 0500-2200
  2. PX – Open Monday-Friday 0800-1700, Saturday 0800-1600, and Sunday 1000-1600
  3. The Pub at Fiddlers Green – Open Monday through Thursday 1100-2200, Friday 1100-2330, and Saturday 1600-2330; kitchen closes at 2100
  4. Heroes & Legends Barbershop (directly across from The Pub at Fiddler’s Green) – Open Monday through Friday 0900-1800
  5. Navy Golf Course; Cypress, CA (2.8 miles from base) – Open Monday-Sunday 0600-1700

Local Food Options:

  1. Vons (1.3 miles from base) (closest grocery store) 
  2. Natura Bowls (0.5 miles) 
  3. Katella Deli & Bakery (0.5 miles) 
  4. Franco’s Italian Restaurant (1.1 miles) 
  5. Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails (1.3 miles)
  6. Pho 99 Plus (1.4 miles) 
  7. Original Fish Co. (1.4 miles) 
  8. Paul’s Place (1.7 miles) 
  9. In-N-Out Burger (2.5 miles)
  10. Spaghettini (2.8 miles) 
  11. Olive Garden (2.9 miles)
  12. Sushi Forest (3.4 miles) 
  13. 100% Fresh Subs & Salads (4.3 miles) 
  14. Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que (4.4 miles) 

Additional Information:

  1. Emergency Information should be left with your family. Your family must initiate a Red Cross message if any adverse situations arise.
  2. Students will bring adequate funds for personal needs.
  3. Appropriate civilian attire is authorized for off-duty hours and social events.

Historical Battles:

China and Taiwan
“Win the Urban War in Taiwan,” by Sidharth Kaushal and Gary Somerville

Russo-Ukrainian War (2014-Present)

Donetsk Airport (26 May 2014 – 21 January 2015)

Intermediate: “Cyborgs at Little Stalingrad”: A Brief History of the Battles of the Donetsk Airport,” by Major Amos C. Fox

Russia’s Urban Warfare Predictably Struggles” by Margarita Konaev and Kirstin J.H. Brathwaite

Waterworld: How Ukraine Flooded Three Rivers to Help Save Kyiv – Modern War Institute (usma.edu) 2022 by John Spencer and Liam Collins

“Battle of Kyiv – Russian Invasion of Ukraine” by Kings and Generals

“From the (dis)illusion of combined arms maneuver to the war of attrition: the deficiencies of the Russian Battalion Tactical Group in urban operations” by Benoît Verbreuk and Gregory Teulingkx

“The Russo-Ukrainian War and the Principles of Urban Operations” by Amos Fox

“Urban Combat Is Changing. The Ukraine War Shows How” by Sam Plapinger

“Urban Operations in Ukraine: Size, Ratios and the Principles of War” by Louis DiMarco

“The School of Street Fighting: Tactical Urban Lessons from Ukraine” by Benjamin Phocas and Jayson Geroux

“Twelve Months of War in Ukraine Have Revealed Four Fundamental Lessons on Urban Warfare” by John Spencer and Liam Collins

“The biggest battles of the Russo-Ukrainian War” by Grayson Quay

“The Battle of Bakhmut: Is the End Game Approaching?” by Major-General (Retired) Mick Ryan

“What is happening in Bakhmut and what does it mean for Russian-Ukrainian war?” The Kyiv Independent interview with John Spencer: (Youtube)

Shusha (04 – 07 November 2020) – Battle of Shusha was the dramatic culmination of the 2020 2nd Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Shusha sits on top of key terrain and was a strategic objective for the campaign; its capture signaled the end of the conflict.

Marawi (23 May – 23 October 2017) – The beginning of the battle of Marawi occurred just as the battle of Mosul was ending.  ISIS-inspired terrorists supported by another Muslim terrorist family, the Maute clan, were planning to seize the largest Muslim city in the Philippines when the Armed Forces of the Philippines attempted to conduct a raid on the terrorists’ leaders.  That raid triggered the terrorist attack and it took five months for the AFP to destroy the terrorists within Marawi.

Battle of Mosul (16 October 2016 – 20 July 2017) – This was a corps-sized formation conducting multi-domain operations as a coalition force in a dense urban environment (DUE).  A city the size of Pittsburg (50 sq mi) with a pre-conflict population equal to Philadelphia (1.5 million). “Mosul … hosted the most violent urban combat the world has seen since World War II” – COL Pat Work

Donetsk Airport (26 May 2014 – 21 January 2015)

Sadr City (2008) – Another very good example of COIN urban operations.

Mumbai (26 November 2008 or “26/11”)

Ramadi (May 2006 – February 2007) – A very good example of counter-insurgency (COIN) urban operations.

First Battle of Fallujah (04 – 09 April 2004) – A good example of rushing into an urban battle based on senior political and military leaders having an emotional reaction to a horrible event. Committing ground forces to an urban battle before they are prepared can have grave consequences.

Second Battle for Fallujah (07 November- 23 December 2004) – 2nd Fallujah is a example of combined arms units successfully penetrating deep into the city to dislocate the enemy, and a military reviewing the lessons learned from a previous urban battle (1st Fallujah), correcting their errors and conducting an urban operation properly.

Battle of Najaf (05-27 August 2004) – In Iraq, Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr called upon thousands of armed followers to resist the occupation. Fighting broke out in the holy city of Najaf, the site of the Imam Ali Mosque and the largest Muslim cemetery in the world. U.S. forces fought in 120-degree heat through a tangle of crypts, mausoleums and crumbling graves. The fight was brutal, pitting religious zealots against U.S. Army and Marine Corps troops.

First Battle of Grozny (30 December 1994 – 23 February 1995) and/or Second Battle of Grozny (25 December 1999 – 06 February 2000) – “Failure is a better teacher than success,” the saying goes.  The Russian failure at 1st Grozny and their mediocre success at 2nd Grozny provided ample urban operations lessons learned

Battle of Mogadishu (03-04 October 1993) – Forever immortalized as the “Black Hawk Down” incident based on the book by American journalist Mark Bowden and the film of the same name.  Local tribesmen from Muhammad Farrah Aidid’s clan fought U.S. Army and special forces troops after a raid had captured several of Aidid’s subordinates.

Battle of Sidon (06-11 June 1982)

Suez City (24 – 25 October 1973) – Most urban operations throughout history have ended with the offensive force achieving victory. Rarely has an urban battle occurred where the defenders clearly succeeded. Most historical cases show that even though there were a high number of casualties on both sides, the offensive force eventually won regardless. However, the Battle of Suez City is one of the rare cases in urban warfare history where the offensive force committed so many strategic, operational, and tactical errors and the defense was so well planned and executed that the defenders achieved victory.

Hue in 1968 – Part of the Tet Offensive, Hue was an epic, nearly monthlong battle took place between large units of US Forces (Army & Marines) and multiple regiments of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army soldiers. It was a battle that brought about major shifts in the war and in the American public’s attitude toward it.

Seoul (20-29 September 1950) – Sometimes called “the battle of the barricades,” this week-long battle from 20-29 September 1950 had U.S. Marines using good combined arms tactics to wrest a fairly sizeable city from its North Korean defenders.

Manila (03 February – 03 March 1945) – A major, month-long battle which became the worst urban fighting in the Pacific theater in World War II. Multiple American divisions fought to capture the capital city of the Philippines from Japanese forces occupying it. The battle resulted in the death of over 100,000 civilians and the complete devastation of the city. It’s notable for American forces securing civilian infrastructure (e.g. the city’s water supply), which paid dividends after the battle.

Groningen (13-16 April 1945) – A lesser-known Canadian urban operations battle that involved the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division in its entirety in the closing weeks of the Second World War.

Aachen in 1944 (02 – 21 October 1944) – Aachen was one of the largest urban battles fought by U.S. forces in World War II, and the first city on German soil to be captured by the Allies. Although most of Aachen’s civilian population was evacuated before the battle began, much of the city was destroyed and both sides suffered heavy losses.  The Americans fought this battle particularly well using good combined arms tactics.

Monte Cassino (17 January – 19 May 1944)

Battle of Arnhem (17-26 September 1944)

Gela (10 July 1943) – A little known, short but sharp battle that took place between U.S. Army Rangers and tanks from the Italian Livorno Division on the first day of the Allied invasion of Sicily, 10 July 1943.

Ortona (20 – 27 December 1943) – The battle was known as “Little Stalingrad,” for the brutality of its close-quarters combat, which was only worsened by the chaotic rubble of the town and the high level of violence used by both sides.

Stalingrad 1942-43 – ‘The fighting that took place inside the city was among the most intense of all the urban battles that took place during the Second World War. It was the first time that mass industrial armies, fully equipped with modern weaponry of machine guns, tanks, artillery and airpower, had been involved in a sustained battle against each other inside a city. Not only was it one of the most savage engagements of the war, but it is plausibly held as the turning point of the conflict in Europe.’ -Anthony King, Urban Warfare in the Twenty-First Century

Books and Resources with Multiple Case Studies:

American Department of Defense Doctrine

Joint Urban Doctrine

US Army / Marine Corps Urban Doctrine

US Army Subterranean (SbT) Doctrine

United Kingdom Ministry of Defense Publication

Ministere de la defense Republique Francaise Doctrine

Swedish Armed Forces

North Atlantic Treaty Organization Doctrine

  • NATO ATP-99 Urban Tactics – (link pending)

Ground Breaking Studies:

John Spencer authored / co-authored articles:

Russell W. Glenn authored / co-authored Publications:

 

Sustainment in Urban Operations

Civilians in the Urban Battlespace

Intelligence Preparation of the Urban Environment

Medical Support in Urban Operations

Armor Support in Urban Operations

Artillery Support in Urban Operations

Aviation and Helicopters in Urban Operations

Reconnaissance in Urban Operations

Information Operations and/or the Media in Urban Operations

Megacities (Cities with >10 Million inhabitants)

Websites with Multiple Resources

40th ID Urban Warfare Center Contacts

Urban Warfare Community Points of Contact Roster

  • Name: BG Rob Wooldridge (US) – @40ID_DeputyCG on Twitter
    Position and/or Interest: Deputy Commanding General and Director of 40ID Urban Warfare Center
  • Name: COL (CA) John Spencer (US) – @SpencerGuard on Twitter
    Position and/or Interest: Senior Fellow with 40ID Urban Warfare Center, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies, Modern War Institute, and co-director of the MWI’s Urban Warfare project 
  • Dr. Russell Glenn (USA) – russellwglenn@gmail.com
    Position and / or interest: Prolific urban warfare scholar, academic, researcher, writer.
  • LTC (Ret’d) Louis DiMarco (USA) – louis.a.dimarco.civ@army.mil
    Position and / or interest: Author Concrete Hell, urban operations instructor and urban warfare historian at the U.S. Army Command and Staff College.
  • Name: Maj Jayson Geroux (Canada) – @JaysonGeroux on Twitter
    Position and /or interest: Senior Fellow with 40ID Urban Warfare Center, Urban Operations Instructor (planning, tactics and sustainment of offensive / defensive urban operations from company to division level), Urban Warfare Historian and occasional contributor to the MWI’s Urban Warfare Project
  • Mr. Stuart Lyle (United Kingdom) – @Stu_Lyle on Twitter
    Position and / or interest:  Urban Operations Research Lead, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, United Kingdom Ministry of Defence. Interest: Urban warfare technology, equipment and tactics; urban complex systems environments research
  • Dr. Anthony King (United Kingdom) – @antbruceking on Twitter
    Position and / or interest:  Chair of War Studies, Politics and International Studies Department, Warwick University.  Author of Urban Warfare in the Twenty-First Century
  • Dr. Charles Knight (Australia) – @ChasAHKnight on Twitter
    Position and / or interest:  Researching capabilities for urban operations. Educating for asymmetric conflict.  Interest: battle of Marawi; the media and information operations in urban conflict
  • Warrant Officer Peter Vandoremalen (Canada) – pvandoremalen938@gmail.com
    Position and / or interest:  Urban Operations Instructor (individual to platoon level skills) and Urban Warfare Historian 
  • Mark Murphy- mark.j.murphy2.civ@army.mil Position and/ or Interest: Joint Proponent Analyst/Pentagon and Interorganizational Liaison at the U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI)
  • Dr. John P. Sullivan (United States) – @ZFTWARNING on Twitter
    Lieutenant (Retired), Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department; Instructor, Safe Communities Institute, University of Southern California/  Interest: Medical and Humanitarian Challenges in urban warfare, policing, organized crime, Mexican/Central American/South American cartels, hybrid influence
  • Jesus Roman (UK/Spain) – @jesusfroman on Twitter, jfromangarcia@gmail.com 
    Architect / Interest: Urban Warfare, UAVs & UGVs in Urban Warfare PLA
  • CPT Colin Papuschak (Canada) – @CPapuschak on Twitter
    Position and / or interest: Canadian Armed Forces Intelligence Officer, urban IPOE, ISR, and urban operations doctrine
  • Maj Shaun Clarke (UK) – @ShaunCl20398535 on Twitter / shaun.clarke368@mod.gov.uk
    Position and / or interest: SO2 Urban Warfare Development, Combat Maneuver Centre, British Army.
  • Maj Rob Malcolm (USA) – @RobMalcolm7 on Twitter / robert.malcolm@usmc.mil
    Position and / or interest: Urban warfare, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms
  • Maj Steve Collins (USA) – Stephen.m.collins2@usmc.mil
    Position and / or interest: Urban Team OIC, Coyote 31U, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms
  • Dr. Margarita Konaev (USA) – @RitaKonaev on Twitter
    Position and / or interest: Professor at Georgetown University; Artificial Intelligence, Russia, urban warfare, MENA
  • Sahr Muhammedally (USA) – @Sahrmally on Twitter
    Position and / or interest: Civilian protection in urban warfare, climate change, human rights.
  • Antônio Sampaio (Italy / UK) – @antoniosamp on Twitter
    Position and / or interest: Senior Analyst @GI_TOC on Twitter, research and writer on violence and armed groups in cities.

Please continue the conversation by using hashtags #urbanwarfare or #urbanoperations in your social media posts.

Contact us at 40ID-urban-warfare@army.mil if you would like to add your contact info to the community roster

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