Close Quarters Battle (CQB)
Close Quarters Battle is fighting in enclosed environments and at close range. These environments include buildings, means of transportation and tunnels. Movement in close quarters can be much riskier than movement in the open. Moving from location to location in close quarters means traversing obstacles and exposure to hidden threats. In such a hazardous situation, it is of critical importance that the operator be aware of all avenues of egress at all times. It therefore requires quick thinking and speedy reactions from the operators.
For many military, Special Forces or law enforcement units this is one of the most feared situation. The reason is because there may be hostages, enemy shooters, snipers, and many other hazards that await them in an enclosed facility. It takes a well-trained and practiced team to execute a successful operation.
No CQB operation is the same, they do however have common characteristics. Usually there is a group or a person who chooses a place to hide out with a certain intention. To realise this intention hostages or important buildings and objects might be used. The group or person is most of the times prepared to engage an opposing force. They might use Early Warning Systems (EWS) to guard the perimeters of the CQB area. This makes the approach of the area more difficult since any unit attacking will want to have the initiative in the assault. The use of snipers is also a threat in a CQB situation.
The hardest obstacle to overcome is stealth. Most of the time, the hostile group or person will have a good idea of the main entry points and will base their defensive formation to defend against that entry point. Which brings up the next formidable obstacle. They have some idea where the attacking force is or will be. The attacking force will most of the times only know the general vicinity of the hostiles. That gives them a great advantage over the attacking team. The attackers must consider this before formulating a plan of action.
The mentality the attacking force wants to have when facing a CQB is to operate swift, silent, and "deadly." Swift and efficient movement, combined with a level head and stealth is the best offence against a hazardous situation.