The role of PSYOP forces in HDO is to educate and train the HN national government, local governments, and HN population on ways to reduce the hazards caused by UXO/mine contamination. The focus is on training the HN to develop and execute UXO/mine awareness campaigns and training programs and to develop and disseminate UXO/mine awareness products. The desired end state of the mission is to achieve a self-sustaining capability to develop and execute a national UXO/mine awareness campaign.

All UXO and mine awareness campaigns must have defined parameters and end-state objectives. These end-state objectives usually revolve around one or more of the following themes.

Recognition themes teach people of the HN how to identify common types of UXOs or mines in their region and to enable them to distinguish lethal objects from non-lethal ones that may be of interest to them. (NOTE: Populations affected by mines are often refugees who depend on scavenging for building materials or other useful items.) Products should be modified to reflect the culture, age, and experience of the intended audience.

Avoidance themes teach the HN populace how to identify, mark, and avoid UXOs, mines, and minefields. (NOTE: Many of the programs are geared toward children.)

Notification themes persuade the populace to provide information on the location of UXOs, mines, and minefields to designated authorities charged with coordinating awareness, marking, and clearing activities.

Noninterference themes persuade the populace or potential conflict groups not to interfere with official personnel who may be entering an area to perform mapping, marking, or clearing activities.

Collection or trafficking themes persuade the populace not to collect or traffic mines or UXOs.

Safety and public information themes inform the populace of the existence of mine-clearing activities. Programs may also include step-by-step procedures on—

• Using field-expedient methods to leave a minefield. (NOTE: Teaches individuals how to leave minefields safely after having wandered into them.)
• Marking the location of suspected or known mines. (See Figure 5-1.) (NOTE: Is tied in with the education program on how to identify mines.)
• Applying first aid. (NOTE: Offers basic instruction on how to stop bleed-ing, treat for shock, and treat burn victims.)

The organization of PSYOP forces supporting an HDO is based on the theater CINC/SOC assessment. The MIST is an organization that has been successfully used in the past.

The responsibilities of the PSYOP cell are to train, mentor, and assist HN mine awareness personnel in—

• Developing a multimedia national mine awareness information campaign.
• Developing a UXO/mine awareness training program.
• Developing and producing products to support the campaign plan.
• Coordinating the dissemination of approved mine awareness products.
• Coordinating with other government ministries as needed to execute the national mine awareness campaign successfully.
• Coordinating with the UN and NGOs to make sure mine awareness programs initiated by outside activities are coordinated and integrated into the national mine awareness campaign.

U.S. officers and soldiers are functionally aligned to the positions identified below to train and assist HN counterparts to assume these positions. The recommended titles may be modified based upon HN normal operational procedures and cultural differences.

Develops and executes the multimedia national mine awareness information campaign. Coordinates the dissemination of approved products nationally. Coordinates with other sections within the NDO and with other ministries on matters dealing with mine awareness. Makes sure all mine awareness programs originating from outside the NDO are coordinated and integrated as necessary in the national UXO/mine awareness campaign. Makes sure the national UXO/mine awareness campaign and subsequent products are approved by the HN’s designated approval authority. Is generally located with the mine awareness section; however, is capable of being where needed to best oversee the mine awareness program. Should have equal status of other section chiefs and be able to coordinate with other ministries, such as the Education and Health Ministries.

Collocates with the NDO. Keeps the head of the NDO informed on the status of the mine awareness campaign. Coordinates mine communication between the NDO and the Mine Awareness Section. Attends meetings in the absence of the supervisor and serves as the advisor to the head of the NDO on mine awareness matters.

NOTE: This position may or may not be filled, depending upon the size of the de-mining organization.

Supervises the PDC. Is responsible for the concept, development, and production of mine awareness products. Coordinates with production facilities (such as radio, newspaper, and print plant) for the production of products approved by the NDO. Conducts quality control of products, tracks programs, and assesses product effectiveness. Serves as the Deputy Chief of the Mine Awareness Section in the absence of the Chief.

Develops concepts for mine awareness products that support the national campaign plan. Primarily responsible for the development of all products, such as posters, stickers, newspaper articles, and advertisements. Assists in developing theatrical programs, lesson plans, and other programs that support the mine awareness campaign. Coordinates with local production sources, such as print plants and newspapers, for mass production of approved products.

Designs radio, television, and video scripts and broadcasts that support the mine awareness campaign. Assists with the production of products to be disseminated through audio and audiovisual media. Also assists with the development of scripts for theatrical acts or classroom lessons. Performs other functions as needed.

Draws and designs final products from concepts developed by the product developers. Assists in coordinating the production of approved products. Performs other functions as needed.

Serves as driver for the Mine Awareness Section. Also performs administrative functions for the Chief of the Section and his LNO in the NDO.

A regionally oriented psychological operations assessment team (POAT) should accompany the theater assessment team to evaluate general and PSYOP-relevant HN conditions, such as political sensitivities, social and cultural factors, and commu-nications resources. In addition, the team develops a CONPLAN that addresses all aspects of the mission. The purpose of this section is to identify and consolidate mine awareness considerations that should be addressed by the POAT. Though each mine awareness mission is unique, recent efforts have shown that many similarities exist, especially in planning considerations. Careful evaluation of these considerations results in an effective plan based on firsthand facts, not assumptions.

Mine awareness POATs are tailored to support each mission. They normally consist of one officer, one NCO, and a civilian analyst, if possible. The civilian analyst can be a crucial member of the team, particularly when discussing mission requirements with members of the UN or NGOs. The duration of the assessment varies, but planning considerations and historical experience dictate that between 10 and 14 days are required.

Priority of work is divided into two broad categories:

• Resolving mission, administrative, and logistical support issues.
• Identifying the who, what, when, where, and how of adapting the U.S. mine awareness program into the overall mine awareness campaign. (NOTE: Before departure, the POAT leader should delegate specific tasks to each team member to avoid duplication of effort.)

Upon receipt of a mission, the POAT develops a CONPLAN that addresses all aspects of the assessment. The CONPLAN should include a milestone chart for predeployment activities and a draft itinerary for the trip. If plans call for a prebrief or postbrief at the regional CINC HQ, make sure arrangements have been made to present briefings and to reproduce briefing materials for handout. If time allows before departure, you should also—

• Coordinate as much as you can with the country team to avoid scheduling conflicts. Try to establish a main POC who is fully aware of all aspects of your mission. Arrange for lodging, transportation, and the use of communications and ADP equipment.
• Coordinate with the 4th PSYOP Group (Airborne [A]) Resource Management Office on contracting and funding issues. If required, get Class A agent orders and obtain some operational funds from your mission fund cite. This action may allow you to begin obtaining supplies in-country that would require some lead time to order.
• Make sure you have an ample supply of 4th PSYOP Group (A) mine awareness sample products to distribute to key individuals involved in target country mine awareness planning. Begin pretesting where feasible.

The following list, though not all-inclusive, should serve as a road map to resolve issues and to identify physical requirements in support of your mission. Most of the information you will require should be provided by the U.S. country team. Make every attempt to make sure no issues are left unresolved before your departure. Do not assume that anything will be provided or be available upon arrival. When appropriate, get all agreements in writing.

• Coordinate for a thorough security briefing by the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office (RSO). Find out the current security climate of the country. Identify hostile areas, off-limits areas, curfews, terrorist threats. If you are traveling cross-country by vehicle, ask if you should contact anyone for security. Ask if your quarters require security. You should also—

• Transfer clearances from the 4th PSYOP Group (A) to DOS.
• Initiate actions to get U.S. Embassy security passes for all your personnel.
• Discuss how to contact the local police or military in case of emergency.
• Read and become familiar with the country’s noncombatant evacuation order (NEO).

• Assess the local communication systems and determine—

• The reliability of the local system.
• The types of systems used by NGOs and UN personnel (cellular, FM, amplitude modulated [AM]).
• Any constraints on the use of U.S. Embassy equipment.
• The assets available for communication outside the country.
• Organic communication equipment available.
• Access to and availability of secure data and voice systems.
• HN language requirements.

NOTE: If time permits and the U.S. Embassy will allow it, send a daily situation report (SITREP) back to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to test systems reliability.

• Meet with the U.S. Embassy finance and contracting officers to make sure they are familiar with procedures to support you financially. Give them copies of your fund cite and Class A orders. Determine lead times for requesting supplies. Determine what supplies are available locally and what may take longer to receive.
• Evaluate the options available for billeting and meals. If appropriate, get agreements in writing and make sure all parties understand the method of payment.
• Based on the assets available, determine the best location of the team’s office
  or headquarters. Be sure to make arrangements for the storage of equip-ment and supplies.

The following are guidelines for the integration of mine awareness plans:

• Conduct assessment of UN, NGO, PVO, and HN mine awareness plans and programs.

• Identify the lead agency and determine the desired end state and general magnitude of the problem. If available, request interagency assessments.
• Present 4th PSYOP (A) mine awareness capabilities briefing to key agencies. Distribute sample products for review and possible pretest.

• Determine the product development process.

• Identify agencies to support target analysis and selection of themes and symbols. Identify possible sources of interpreter support.
• Identify methods to conduct pretest.
• Determine product approval chain.
• Develop product distribution and dissemination plan.
• Identify means to conduct posttest.

The greatest challenge for the POAT is to identify the best method to produce the products. Most of the target countries in the United States European Command (USEUCOM) area of interest have suffered severe damage to their infrastructure. In developing COAs to support product development, you must analyze all aspects of your mission. You may have to settle on a compromise based on cost effectiveness. Your options will include—

• Using HN assets.
• Using regional assets.
• Deploying with assets.
• Developing products and sending them back to Fort Bragg for mass production.

Begin your assessment by determining where the U.S. Embassy, UN, and NGOs get their print and broadcast products developed. If HN assets are employed, conduct your own assessment of local capabilities. If possible, present samples of your product and obtain cost estimates for mass production.

If regional assets are used (third country, contractors), again, develop cost estimates. In developing this COA, be sure to calculate the time delays involved based on the distance to the production facility.

Given the distances involved, cost, and probable logistics trail required, the last two options are probably the least desirable, but they still must be assessed in your COA.

If deploying with assets, compare and contrast all available options. Develop support profiles based on deploying—

• An MSQ-85.
• A light print plant.
• A combination of product development workstations (PDWSs) and Risographs.

In conducting your assessment, be sure to consider availability of repair parts, supplies, power sources, and security.

In assessing the feasibility of having your products mass produced by 4th PSYOP Group (A), be sure to consider the reliability and compatibility of communications and ADP equipment, including software.

Once you have completed the assessment and decided on the best COA to support the overall campaign plan, check regularly with key personnel in-country to make sure no changes or modifications have occurred that will impact on mission execution. See Figure B-5 (page B-8) of Appendix B for a specific mine awareness checklist.

The assessment, with its situation-specific recommendation, is the crucial element that makes feasible a flexible prototype approach, with emphasis on adapting off-the-shelf mine awareness products to specific circumstances.

The PSYOP campaign development process is shown in Figure 5-2. The individual steps are not discussed in this publication; however, they are addressed further in FM 33-1 and FM 33-1-1. A key consideration to remember in campaign planning, though, is that campaign objectives are achieved through sequence and execution of numerous individual PSYOP activities, each designed to achieve a measured response in a specific target audience.

An effective mine awareness program normally requires the design of a variety of mine awareness materials and their production in audio, visual, and audiovisual media. Any or all of the following types of products may be useful:

• Posters, pamphlets, and leaflets.
• Products aimed specifically at children (coloring books, comic books, games).
• Booklets (first aid, minefield marking).
• Novelty items (T-shirts, caps, pencils).
• Electronic media materials (radio scripts and videocassettes).

The HDO effort is usually a six-phase operation, as discussed earlier in Chapter 3. Many of the specifics covered in the chapter are applicable to the Mine Awareness Section campaigns as well. The issues that follow are of particular concern to PSYOP forces supporting the HDO.

First and foremost, the regional assessment team discussed earlier must collect as much information as possible on the peculiarities of the country. It must pay particular attention to any past programs to make as accurate a determination as possible of the extent of HN’s requirement.

Equipment to be donated to the HN must be requisitioned as early as possible, because of the long lead times for the ADP types donated. Written approval must be on hand before purchasing and donating equipment.

Although the national campaign is ordinarily a combined effort between U.S. and HN members, a proposed plan should be developed before deployment. Information briefings at the theater CINC/SOC en route to the HN greatly simplify eventual plan approval. The proposed plan should outline the responsibilities of each section and explain the general concept of the proposed activities.

Plan for problems in delivering ADP equipment, such as the PDWS or the Risograph. Because of the bulkiness of this equipment, it is ordinarily not on the same commercial aircraft the team deploys on and may be delayed as the local air freight companies slowly deliver it to the operational site. The team must coordinate for the receipt of any shipped equipment. Provisions must be made to pay customs and receiving fees or to ship the equipment customs free to the U.S. Embassy.

Set up and test the computer equipment as soon as it arrives. Despite best efforts to pack the equipment carefully, the trip will probably cause some of the components to be inoperable.

Depending upon the computer skills of the HN personnel, U.S. personnel may need to be phase-deployed to the country. Until HN personnel can operate the equipment, U.S. personnel will conduct product development.

PSYOP forces should plan to conduct a complete training program with HN personnel. The program should include lesson plans for all classes and should be prepared and rehearsed at home station. If all classes are not required, the training can be accelerated, allowing more time for campaign development.

Planning for product development and dissemination must begin during the initial assessment team’s visit. Although the products themselves will not be finalized until several weeks or months into deployment, some contracting for magazine space, T-shirts, or radio time must occur before the products are completed.

A significant amount of money may be involved. Use your best judgment and keep an accurate accounting of all funds disbursed.

Develop a written test and an evaluation plan. Submit them for approval along with the UXO/mine awareness campaign. Be prepared for concern on the part of the HN team. Acknowledging that some products have not accomplished their objectives and must be modified may be a significant emotional event.

Maintain property accountability; ensure appropriate documentation to support the handover of donated equipment.

Build into your original CONPLAN a return trip within 4 to 6 months after your departure. This planning will allow adequate time for the results of the campaign to develop but not so long that all your contacts will have left.

If particular items such as batteries or ink cartridges will be required for specific equipment, take several of them with you to the HN and leave them with the HN team as needed.

During the first postdeployment visit, assess the impact of your training. Be prepared to recommend to the theater SOC a second major deployment to the country if necessary.