Special Forces Sniper Skills by Robert Stirling

Author:Robert Stirling [Stirling, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Special Forces Sniper Skills
ISBN: 9781782007654
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2019-11-28T05:00:00+00:00

The observer –

• Properly positions himself.

• Selects an appropriate target.

• Assists in range estimation.

• Calculates the effect of existing weather conditions on ballistics.

• Reports sight adjustment data to the sniper.

• Uses the M49 observation telescope for shot observation.

• Critiques performance.

– US Army, FM 23-10, Sniping Training, 1-4 (1997)

Considering all these tasks to be performed by the spotter, it is not surprising that in some armies on some missions a third member is added to the team and called a ‘flanker’. His task is to be responsible for the defence of the position, particularly the rear, and leave the spotter more time to concentrate on the technical jobs. In a normal shooting situation, if there can be such a thing, the sniper will call out ‘ready’ when he is sighted on the target and ready to take the shot. The spotter will be waiting for this and watching the wind and other effects. When he judges the right moment, he will call ‘shoot’ or make some other pre-arranged signal and the sniper will then fire. When the shot is finally taken the spotter will watch for the shot impact and call a correction to the sniper if there was a miss and another shot can be taken. (Note that a bullet leaves a trail of disturbed air that can be observed from behind, and the strike of the bullet will sometimes be visible through a telescope when it throws up dust or knocks a chunk out of a wall.)

On any mission where there are enemy to return fire, a sniper should try to avoid shooting when it is dark, and if he has to shoot then he should move immediately afterwards. All secrecy is lost if a shot is taken at night because of the muzzle flash, which will light up the area and give away the team’s position. Of course, in some situations, such as a hostage-release and firing from a known sangar type position within a base camp, firing at night has fewer disadvantages. But when he is performing the classic sniper mission of stalking the enemy behind their lines, then shooting at night should be avoided whenever possible.

In most sniping situations, the sniper will usually take a shot as soon as a target presents itself. There are several situations, however, when a sniper may delay engaging. One is where the team are working in a hostage-rescue or special ops raid situation and waiting for the ‘shoot’ command from higher up. In this instance, the sniper or spotter may be in constant communication with the commander or the other snipers, as shots may have to be sanctioned by a politician or senior rank. There might also be the need for several snipers to hit their targets simultaneously, hence the moment of shot is decided centrally. In another situation, the target may be on the edge of the sniper’s range and the weather may be poor. In this case the sniper may choose to call in indirect fire from mortars, artillery or aircraft to be sure of a kill.

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