Effective Intelligence in Urban Environments

This thesis analyzes the intelligence collection and dissemination in urban environments at the maneuver battalion. The methodology attempts to assess the organic intelligence assets and capabilities within a maneuver battalion, the training of the maneuver battalion officers on the employment of intelligence assets, and the availability of doctrinal literature about urban operations. The war in Iraq presents the Army with an operational environment that is unfamiliar to a force that has trained for conventional warfare in open terrain. The commanders, especially at battalion level and below, need an efficient and effective intelligence system.

The focus of the research will be on the shortcomings and solutions for the intelligence systems supporting operations at the tactical level. The FM 3-0, Operations, dated February 2008, is the capstone doctrine for the U.S. Army for the current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and for future prolonged conflicts as an expeditionary force. Discussion among the maneuver and intelligence communities on how to improve the intelligence collection and dissemination in urban environments is worthy of research. The historic perspective of the urban environment complexities and their military significance provide lessons learned on how military intelligence plays an important role in successful operations in such terrain.