RDL
Homepage

Table of
Contents

Document
Information

APPENDIX H

DEMINING TRAINING DRILLS, TECHNIQUES, AND PROCEDURES

Platoon Demining Operations Order

1. SITUATION.

    a. Security.   In this paragraph, the platoon leader discusses the security of the operation against bandits or potential hostile forces. He discusses guards and their locations. The platoon leader briefs the section sergeants on their actions upon contact with hostiles and any contingency plans if ordered to withdraw.

    b. History of the Minefield.   In this paragraph, the platoon leader discusses any historical infor-mation known about the area, such as what the terrain is like, what forces employed the mines, when they were employed, and what mines or UXOs can be expected in the area. The platoon leader shows a sketch of the minefield site to the section sergeants and points out routes and locations on a map.

2. MISSION.   The platoon leader states where the platoon will be going, what the platoon is going to be doing, and when it will start.

3. EXECUTION.

    a. General Outline.   The platoon leader gives a brief, overall description of the operation from start to finish.

    b. Tasks for Sections.   The platoon leader designates what each section will be doing. The platoon leader tells the section sergeants what area of the minefield they will be demining. He establishes start and end points and a direction in which each section will demine. He states any special equipment they will need. The platoon leader tells the section sergeants of any changes to the normal drill that are required because of conditions at the site—for example, modifying trip-wire drills because of ground vegetation or conducting the metal detector test with the 5-centimeter (cm) test piece in the ground because of soil conditions.

    c. Coordinating Instructions.   The platoon leader briefs a time line for the platoon, which states when specific tasks must be started and completed. The platoon leader assigns priorities for specific tasks that need to occur at the same time. The platoon leader also discusses routes in detail, including distances, directions, and landmarks.

4. SERVICES AND SUPPORT.

    a. Transportation.   The platoon leader briefs the transportation plan, including mode of trans-portation, vehicle-loading plan, order of vehicle movement, and an alternate plan in case of vehicle breakdown.

    b. Medical.  The platoon leader tells the section sergeant where the medic will be during trans-portation and shows the location of the ambulance on the site sketch. The platoon leader also outlines the casualty evacuation procedure during movement and at the site.

    c. Rations.  The platoon leader briefs where and when rations will be available.

    d. Water.  The platoon leader briefs where drinking water will be available and how it will be resupplied.

    e. Accommodations.  The platoon leader tells where the deminers will be living. He also briefs a plan for setup of living quarters, such as tents, if existing buildings are not to be used.

    f. Supply.  The platoon leader briefs how batteries or broken equipment are to be resupplied.

5. COMMAND AND CONTROL.

    a. Key Personnel.  The platoon leader briefs his location and the location of the platoon sergeant during the entire operation.

    b. Radio Operations.  The platoon leader briefs call signs and frequencies for the radios.

Figure H-1. Sample operations order.

Trip-Wire Feeler Drill

1. The prober moves to the start point. He wears safety glasses and carries a trip-wire feeler, two 1-meter safe lane marking sticks, and the required cutting tools.

2. The prober places the equipment on the ground in a safe area, off to one side at the start point.

3. The prober adopts either the squatting or prone position and visually searches the ground for trip wires.

4. The prober picks up and places one of the 1-meter white sticks across the edge of the lane at the start point on the safe side of the marking tape or cleared area. If the platoon leader determines that the vegetation is extremely thick and the trip-wire feeler cannot be used, the following procedure is used:

    a. The prober returns to the team safe area. The detector executes the test checks for the mine detector and moves forward.

    b. The detector adopts a squatting position and picks up his mine detector, holding the search head in a vertical position. He sweeps the front of the vegetation, moving from the safe edge tape and from ground- to above-head level. If he detects a trip wire, he notifies his section sergeant.

    c. The detector moves back to the safe area and turns off the mine detector. The prober moves forward and then cuts away at the brush, cutting no more the 8 cm into the minefield. He cuts from safe edge tape to safe edge tape and from top to bottom, cutting the brush as close to the ground as possible.

    d. Steps b and c above are repeated until the new lane extends half the length of the trip-wire feeler into the lane. Then, the mine detector drill is executed.

5. The prober adopts the squatting position and picks up the trip-wire feeler, holding it between the thumb and the index finger of the hand with which he will search the area of ground in front of him.

6. Starting at the left side of the lane at a slight angle, the prober slides the feeler along the ground directly in front of him in a straight line the full length of the trip-wire feeler, or as far as he can safely go out in front.

7. The prober then lifts the trip-wire feeler slowly upward until he is in the standing position and the wire feeler has been brought up over his head.

8. A center search of the lane using the trip-wire feeler is conducted in the same manner as described above.

9. The right side of the lane is searched using the trip-wire feeler in the same manner as described above.

10. The fourth iteration of the lane search is conducted in the standing position, walking on either side of the lane and moving the end of the trip-wire feeler on the ground in a straight line, vertically across the lane to the opposite side in a careful manner.

11. The trip-wire feeler is placed on the ground on either side of the lane marking the length of the area searched. It should be placed horizontally into the minefield so that the searched area is no more than 1 meter deep.

12. The cutting tool is then picked up, and the squatting position is adopted.

13. The search area is cleared by cutting grass and small bushes on a horizontal plane as close to the ground as possible.

14. The cutting tool is then placed back in the safe area at the start point, and the second 1-meter white stick is picked up and placed across the lane at the end of the searched area.

15. The prober then picks up all his equipment, except the two 1-meter white sticks, and returns to the safe area.

Figure H-2. Trip-wire feeler drill.

Trip-Wire Reaction Drill

1. Before starting land searches, the section sergeant uses a grappling hook to clear the area forward of the start line and at designated intervals during the operation.

2. If the prober detects a trip wire missed by the grappling hook, he immediately informs the section sergeant and the platoon leader.

3. The platoon leader assesses the situation and if required moves the other section demining teams to a safe area or another area to work in until the trip wire is dealt with.

4. The section sergeant and his demining team that found the trip wire visually identify the run of the trip wire and the type of ordnance or booby trap.

WARNING: Do not touch the trip wire.

5. The section sergeant then informs the platoon leader and he makes a plan to destroy the device.

6. His priority for destruction is to—

    a. Use the grappling hook to set off the device.

    b. Use a charge to destroy the device, if the above is not practical. A path may have to be cleared to the device using the demining drill to reach the device.

7. The section then executes the plan to neutralize the device to which the trip wire is attached.

8. Once the device is destroyed, demining operations continue.

Figure H-3. Trip-wire reaction drill.

AN/PSS-12 Mine Detector Drill

1. The detector removes all metal objects from himself—for example, belt buckles, watches, or keys.

2. The detector picks up his mine detector with the earphone secured around his head or neck and the electronics unit slung on the opposite side of the operating hand. He moves slightly away from the team's safe area and conducts the following mine detector test:

    a. Turns SENSITIVITY and LOUDNESS knobs completely counterclockwise.

    b. Observes the lamp and puts the switch to the ON position. The lamp should give a short flash. If it does not, checks if the batteries are inserted correctly or inserts new batteries. If the lamp flashes continuously, the cause may be low battery voltage.

    c. Holds the search head approximately 1 meter above the ground and turns the SENSITIVITY knob all the way up.

    d. Sets the desired sound level with the LOUDNESS knob.

    e. Turns the SENSITIVITY knob slightly counterclockwise until the tone ceases. A ticking check tone should be heard every 1 to 2 seconds. Adjusts LOUDNESS knob if needed.

    f. Sweeps the search head approximately 5 cm above the ground at a sweeping rate of approxi-mately 1 meter per 5 seconds.

    g. If ground test conditions give a disturbing tone, adjusts the SENSITIVITY control counter-clockwise until the tone ceases.

    h. Checks the sensitivity with the 5-cm test piece. Carries out the check with the search head at least 1 meter above the surface of the ground and away from the body. Makes sure no metal objects (wrist-watches, rings) are in the vicinity that can affect the check. The mine detector must emit a distinctive signal (tone) for a distance of at least 5 cm between the metal pin in the test piece and the bottom of the search head. When possible, tests or calibrates the mine detector on inert mines that replicate the threat in the target area.

3. The detector then moves up to the start point. He wears safety glasses, a Kevlar helmet, and a flak vest. He carries the mine detector and several mine bonnets.

4. The detector searches the ground that has been cleared for trip wires, by starting from one side of the lane, moving the mine detector search head across the width of the lane, ensuring the entire search head crosses each side of the lane. He moves forward, keeping the mine detector as close to the ground as possible, not advancing more than half the search head width per sweep, until the search area has been checked. When a detection occurs, the detector—

    a. Determines either the center of a small detection or the closest edge of a large detection using the box method. (The box method uses the edge of the mine detector and lightly marks a line in the soil to form a square around the possible mine.)

    b. Marks the possible mine with a bonnet. He then departs the minefield through his cleared lane, detecting all the way out.

    c. Informs the prober that he has a suspicious area marked.

    d. Goes back to the safe area, turns off the detector, and awaits further instructions.

NOTE:  IAW FM 20-32, Mine/Countermine Operations, rotate detector personnel every 20-30 minutes to prevent tone deafness and to prevent fatigue or complacency.

Figure H-4. AN/PSS-12 mine detector drill.

Prober Drill

1. The prober moves to the start point. He wears the appropriate equipment and carries his probe, pruning shears, pruning scissors, and paintbrush.

2. At the start point, the prober places his equipment bag behind him in a safe area.

3. The prober gets in the prone position.

4. Probing starts from the closest side of the mine bonnet facing the prober, either from the left corner or right corner.

5. The probe is placed in the ground at a 30° to 45° angle on either side of the mine bonnet.

6. The prober then removes the mine bonnet.

7. The prober then proceeds to probe across the detected area, either left or right across the width of the detected area. He probes in a straight line using 2-cm spacing between probes in each row and 1-cm spacing between rows probed until the detection is located.

8. The prober then places his probe on the ground and picks up the trowel and paintbrush.

9. With the aid of the trowel, the prober very carefully removes the earth from the side closest to him, exposing the closest edge, and replaces the mine bonnet.

10. The prober removes enough material from the exposed edge of the mine, UXO, or metal fragment so he can identify the object. If an item is detected, the following actions may occur:

    a. The mine or UXO is uncovered enough to allow a charge to be placed for destruction and marked with a mine bonnet.

    b. If it is a metal fragment, it is retrieved and placed into a fragmentation pit in the team’s safe area.

11. The prober then stands up, picks up all his equipment, and moves back to the team's safe area.

12. The prober informs the section sergeant of the item found.

13. If it is a suspected mine or UXO, the section sergeant moves forward to identify the object found. He then moves back to the safe area and directs the prober to clear beside the mine or UXO, so demolition charges may be properly placed. The section sergeant then informs the platoon leader.

14. If nothing is found, the prober unearths until the metal is found or an area is dug 45 cm down and 15 cm from the center in all directions (30-cm by 45-cm hole). He then departs through the safe lane and informs the detector to continue detecting.

Figure H-5. Prober drill.

Pulling Drill

1. The platoon leaders and company commanders use the pulling drill only when they determine that demolition of the mine would cause damage to surrounding structures.

2. The platoon leaders and company commanders make a plan to pull the mine. They select where the rope will be pulled from and how the person pulling the rope will be protected from the blast. They also plan how to neutralize, move, and then safely destroy the mine.

WARNING: Make sure the position from which the mine will be pulled is cleared of mines and booby traps in case the explosive is "daisy chained" to the pulling position.

3. The platoon leader directs the section sergeant to lay out a 50-meter rope (minimum length of rope used) with attached hook along the ground from the safe area and along the cleared path to the exposed item being pulled.

4. The platoon leader makes sure no one else is handling the rope or is within 1 meter of the pulling rope.

5. The section leader places a fulcrum (block of wood) in front of the item being pulled and attaches the hook of the pulling rope to the item.

6. The section leader then places the pulling rope on top of the fulcrum, being careful not to pull the rope and move the item to which the hook is attached.

7. The section leader checks to make sure the rope is clear of any obstacles that might interfere with the pulling.

8. All personnel, except the individual who will pull the rope, move back to the safe area. This area is not in a direct line of fragmentation with the item being pulled and provides cover for the personnel during this operation (for example, behind trees, in an existing hole in the ground, or in a man-made trench).

WARNING: Do not pull mines toward you.

9. From under cover, the pulling man yells three times "PULLING NOW," takes up the slack on the pulling rope, and pulls the item. He pulls in the following manner:

    a. Sits behind cover and faces the item to be pulled.

    b. Takes up the slack and shouts the warning.

    c. Holds the rope tightly and then pulls by leaning back until lying flat on his back, with the hands pulling extended over the head.

10. After he pulls the rope and the item is moved, everyone remains under cover at the safe area for 30 minutes.

11. The platoon leader performs his plan to make the item safe.

12. After the mine is removed for destruction, the team working on the lane sends the detector forward to detect for booby traps or additional mines visually and electronically. The demining operations continue.

Figure H-6. Pulling drill.

Time-Fuze Calculation

WARNING: Accidents involving death or injury can be caused by careless use and handling of time fuzes during preparation for use. A time fuze burns at the correct and constant rate only if the black-powder core is allowed to keep its original consistency. Rough handling may cause breaks in the black-powder core with a consequent variation of burning time and, in extreme cases, where the core has been completely broken up, an instantaneous discharge may also take place. Time fuzes must therefore be handled with care at all times to avoid breakage of the black-powder core.

1. Use the following precautions to avoid potential problems:

    a. Make every effort to protect a time fuze from the effects of rain.

    b. Cut the time fuze from the coil immediately before use. Do not precut lengths in anticipation of future use.

    c. Do not accumulate short lengths and do not use unless they are from a remainder of a coil that has been in use immediately before and has already been tested.

    d. Test burn every coil of time fuze or remnant of a coil immediately before using.

2. Use the following procedures to calculate the amount of time fuze to be used for demolition:

    a. Test burn each new coil of time fuze before using it to conduct demolition procedures.

    b. Cut and discard a 15-cm length piece from the free end of the roll or coil. If using a coil, tie a knot on the uncut end of the time fuze.

    c. Cut 100 cm of time fuze and ignite it to check the burning rate. If the burning rate is less than 90 seconds for 100 cm, use another roll or coil of time fuze.

    d. Note the time it burns and compute the burning time per cm, dividing the burning time in seconds by the length of time fuze (100 cm).

    e. Calculate the amount of time (in seconds) needed to move safely from the blast area to the safe area. The minimum time to use is 5 minutes.

    f. Divide this time (step e) by the burn rate (step d). The result will be the correct length necessary in centimeters.

    g. Cut this length (step f) of safety fuze with a sharp knife or crimpers.

Figure H-7. Time-fuze calculation.

Crimping Drill

1. Either the platoon leader or the platoon sergeant supervises crimping operations. Normally, squad or team leaders actually perform crimping and demolitions activities, as follows:

    a. Select a length of time fuze and make sure the end to be inserted into the end of the detonator is cut cleanly and squarely.

    b. Cut the other end of the time fuze cleanly and squarely if using a fuze igniter or cut on an angle to expose as much black powder to help start the time fuze burning with a match.

    c. Hold the time fuze in the hand not being used to crimp the detonator. Make sure the clean squared end is facing upward and hold the length of fuze vertically between the thumb and the middle finger.

    d. With the free hand, select a detonator from its container, holding the cap between the thumb and the index finger.

    e. Inspect the detonator cap, looking in the open end for any dirt or foreign matter. If any dirt or foreign matter is present, hold the detonator with the open end facing down and away from your body, then shake or bump gently against the other hand. Inspect the detonator again. If the dirt or foreign matter is still present, discard the detonator and get a new one.

    f. At arms length directly in front of you, slip the open end of the detonator down over the time fuze until the end of the fuze is in contact with the detonator filling.

    g. Place the index finger of the hand holding the time fuze on top of the detonator.

    h. When using the crimpers, place the opened crimping circle around the base of the detonator so the crimp will occur about 5 mm to 10 mm up from the bottom of the detonator. When using pliers, place the opened jaws of the pliers around the base of the detonator so half of the pliers is on the detonator and the other half is on the time fuze.

    i. Close the jaws of the pliers or crimpers with only enough pressure to hold the detonator and time fuze together.

    j. Place both hands 90° away from you, turn your head to one side, and squeeze tightly on the crimpers or pliers.

    k. Once crimping is completed, turn the head and eyes forward, replace the hands back to original position with the index finger replaced on top of the detonator. Release the pliers or crimpers and inspect the crimp to ensure the detonator is secure and not damaged.

2. Crimping will be done no closer than 25 meters to explosives.

3. If tape is used to help secure the detonator, the detonator must be taped so both ends of the detonator are visible.

Figure H-8. Crimping drill.

Tree Removal

1. If a tree or an obstruction is in a lane to be cleared and a mine detector detects an object beneath it, the tree can be removed using demolitions. This method should be used only as a last resort and must be approved by the platoon leader.

2. Use a 400-gram charge to cut trees up to 47 cm in circumference. Any tree larger than 47 cm should be left in place.

3. When using explosives to cut a tree, secure the charge as close to the tree base as possible.

4. Prepare the charge and fire it according to the SOP.

5. After the charge explodes, pull the tree out of the minefield using the grappling hook. This type of pulling will prevent injury in case a tree limb detonates a mine as it is dragged out.

Figure H-9. Tree removal.

Charge Placement

1. Ordnances, such as land mines and UXOs, are to be destroyed with explosives. The preferred technique is to blow up ordnances, not to burn them.

2. The methods for disposal by detonation are as follows:

    a. Topside-Center Method.   This method is used to destroy most artillery and mortar projectiles, except high-explosive antitank (HEAT) and white phosphorous (WP). Placing the explosive charge on the projectile topside center ensures that the explosive detonation wave strikes the explosive filler of the projectile and causes the item to explode.

    b. Countercharge Cone Method.   This method is designed to neutralize the shape charge effect of the HEAT munitions. When the explosive charge detonates, it causes the cone to be crushed and explodes the munitions.

    c. Countercharge Base Method.   This method is used to destroy armor-piercing, high-explosive (AP HE) projectiles. Placing the explosive charge at the base of the AP HE round causes the base fuze to function, exploding the projectile.

    d. Side-Charge Method.   This method causes the munitions to function by sympathetic detona-tion. It is used on munitions that have antidisturbance devices. This method is the preferred way to destroy land mines.

    e. Bottom-Side Method.   This method is used to destroy WP-loaded projectiles. Placing the explosive charge under the projectile ensures that the WP ignites upon detonation. The WP ignites upon contact with the air. This technique blows the WP into the air and burns the hazard in one shot. If this method is not used, the WP goes underground and lies dormant. Later, a farmer may unearth it and burn himself badly.

Figure H-10. Charge placement.