N.B. As per the disclaimer, neither the ICRC nor the authors can be identified with the opinions expressed in the Cases and Documents. Some cases even come to solutions that clearly violate IHL. They are nevertheless worthy of discussion, if only to raise a challenge to display more humanity in armed conflicts. Similarly, in some of the texts used in the case studies, the facts may not always be proven; nevertheless, they have been selected because they highlight interesting IHL issues and are thus published for didactic purposes.

[N.B.: Model cards filled out by US army (Third Infantry Division), annexed to “Strengthening Measures for the Respect and Implementation of International Humanitarian Law and Other Rules Protecting Human Dignity in Armed Conflicts”, 2-4 September, 2004, San Remo, Italy, The Military Lawyer Nuisance or Necessity, by Lt. Colonel Mike Newton Judge Advocate General’s Corps, United States Army.]

Commanders are responsible for assessing proportionality before authorizing indirect fire into a populated area or protected place (NFA/RFA). Refer to ROE; seek legal advice; copy SJA, G5 and FSE.

POPULATED AREA TARGETING RECORD

(Military Necessity – Collateral Damage – Proportionality Assessment)

I.    MILITARY NECESSITY – What are we shooting at and why?

1.   DTG of mission:_________________________________________________

2.   Location – Grid Coordinates:_______________________________________

3.   Enemy Target (WMD, CHEM, SCUD, ARTY, ARMOR, C2, LOG)

a._ Type and Unit:________________________________________________

b._ Importance to Mission:_________________________________________

4.   Target Intel:

a._ How Observed: UAV, FIST, SOF, other:__________________________

b._ Unobserved: Q36, Q37, ELINT, other:____________________________

c._ Last Known DTG of Observation or Detection:_____________________

5.   Other Concerns as applicable:

a._ US Casualities: Number:_______________ Location_________________

b._ Receiving Enemy Fire: Unit ___________  Location ________________

II.   COLLATERAL DAMAGE – Who or what is there now?

6.   City:_________________________ Original Population: ________________

7.   Estimated Population Now in Target Area (if known): _______________________________________________________________

8.   Cultural, Economic, or Other Significance and Effects: _______________________________________________________________

III.   MUNITIONS SELECTION – Mitigate civilian casualties and civilian property destruction

9.   Available Delivery Systems Within Range:____________________________

      155 MLRS, ATACMS, AH64, CAS, other:_____________________________

10. Munitions: DPICM, Precision-Guided Munitions (PGM), other: _______________________________________________________________

IV.  COMMANDER’S AUTHORIZATION TO FIRE – Proportionality analysis

11. Legal Advisors’ Rank and Name:____________________________________

12. Civil Affairs/G5 Advisor:___________________________________________

13. Is the anticipated loss of life and damage to civilian property acceptable in relation to the military advantage expected to be gained?

      Yes/No

14. Commander or Reprensentative’s Rank, Name, and Position: _______________________________________________________________

15. Optional Comments:______________________________________________

16. DTG or Decision:________________________________________________

17. TARGET NUMBER: