Military

A minefield/munition field report is an oral, electronic, or written communication that concerns friendly or enemy mining activities. The report format is specified by the local command. It is submitted by the emplacing unit commander through operational channels to the G3/S3 of the authorized headquarters. The headquarters integrates the report with terrain intelligence and disseminates it along with tactical intelligence. The report is sent by the fastest, most secure means available. Figure 8-1 summarizes the minefield/munition field report flow at the division level and below.

When planning to emplace a minefield/munition field, the unit must submit a report of intention to notify their higher headquarters. The report doubles as a request when it is initiated at levels below emplacement authority. The report includes--

• Tactical purpose of the minefield/munition field.
• Estimated number and type of mines to be emplaced.
• Location.
• Proposed start and completion times.
• Type of minefield/munition field.
• Whether mines are surface-laid or buried.
• Whether AHDs are used.
• Location and width of lanes and gaps.

Conventional minefields/munition fields that are part of an OPLAN or a general defense plan (GDP) approved by the authorizing commander do not require a report of intention because inclusion in an OPLAN or a GDP implies an intention to lay.

A report of initiation is mandatory. It informs higher headquarters that emplacement has begun and that the area is no longer safe for friendly movement and maneuver. The report specifies the time emplacement began and identifies the location and the target number of minefields/munition fields.

A report of completion is usually an oral report to the authorizing commander. It indicates that the minefield/munition field is complete and functional. A report of completion is immediately followed by a completed DA Form 1355 or 1355-1-R.

Minefield/munition field responsibility is transferred from one commander to another in a report of transfer (Figure 2-26). This report is signed by the transferring and receiving commanders. It includes a certificate stating that the receiving commander was shown or otherwise informed of all the mines within the transferring commander's zone of responsibility. The report states that the receiving commander assumes responsibility for those mines. The report of transfer is sent to the next higher commander who has authority over the transferring and receiving commanders.

A report of change is made immediately upon any change or alteration to a previously reported minefield/munition field. It is sent to the next higher commander and through channels to the headquarters that keeps the written minefield/munition field record. A report of change is made by the commander responsible for surveillance and maintenance of the minefield/munition field.

During the emplacing process, the commander may require periodic reports on the amount of work completed.

Most conventional minefields/munition fields are recorded on DA Form 1355; hasty protective row minefields/munition fields are recorded on DA Form 1355-1-R.

The laying unit prepares the minefield/munition field record. The OIC signs the form and forwards it to the next higher command as soon as possible. Once the information is entered on the form, the form is classified SECRET, NATO SECRET, or SECRET-ROKUS. (When used for training, the record is marked SAMPLE.) The number of copies prepared depends on the type of minefield/munition field emplaced and the local procedures. Unit SOPs should provide advanced guidance on how minefield/munition field information is to be passed to higher, lower, and adjacent commands. Minefield/munition field records are circulated on a need-to-know basis. Large minefields/munition fields are recorded on two or more DA Forms 1355.

Once the minefield/munition field is removed, the date of removal, the time removal was complete, and the name of the unit that removed the minefield/munition field will be placed in the remarks block of the form. The form will then be forwarded to the unit's central control cell for mine clearance information. The central control cell will retain the form for two years and then destroy it.

When changes are made to an existing minefield/munition field, a new record must be prepared. This record is marked REVISED. It shows the minefield/munition field as it is after changes. The original minefield/munition field number remains unchanged. Some changes which require a new record are--

• Relocation of mines in safe lanes.
• Relocation of safe lanes.
• Changed lane or minefield/munition field marking.
• Inclusion of the minefield/munition field into a larger minefield/munition field system.
• Removal or detonation of mines.
• Addition of mines to the minefield/munition field.

Conventional minefield/munition field records are forwarded through operational channels to theater army headquarters (TAHQ) where they will be maintained on file by the theater engineer. If a TAHQ has not been established, minefield/munition field records are maintained on file with the assistant corps engineer of the AO where the minefield/munition field is located.

DA Form 1355 consists of a single sheet that is printed on both sides and folded in half. The front side contains blocks of tabular data, the inside is a graph of 1-centimeter squares for a scaled sketch of the field, and the back side includes a computation formula and instructions. The scale for plotting minefields/munition fields depends on the size of the field. To avoid using two sheets for the sketch, adjust the scale so that one form will support the sketch. For very large minefields/munition fields, two sheets may be required. The system of measurement and the scale size must be indicated in the legend block. A second form may be used to support any additional information in the notes block. Any blocks or lines not used on the form must be crossed out to avoid unauthorized entries on the form.

An example of a completed DA Form 1355 is shown in Figures 8-2a, 8-2b, and 8-2c.

The following step-by-step instructions are provided for completing DA Form 1355:

Block 1. Enter complete data on the laying authority and the laying unit. The OIC block should include rank, name, and social security number (SSN).

Block 2. Enter the date-time group (DTG) for start and completion times. The recorder block includes rank, name, and SSN.

Block 3. Enter the copy and the sheet number. The number of copies prepared depends on the unit SOP and the minefield/munition field classification.

NOTE: The minefield/munition field record is forwarded by the laying unit. One copy is retained by the overwatching unit, one copy by the next higher command, one copy by the unit central control cell (for mine clearance information), and one copy by the proper national territorial authority.

Block 4. The minefield/munition field obstacle numbering system (Table 8-1) consists of 11 characters and 1 obstacle status symbol. It shows the type of obstacle, the belt and the zone in which it is located, and the headquarters that established the zone. Abbreviations for obstacle types are shown in Table 8-2.

Example: Obstacle number I005-A2A-SM21/ indicates that the 5th Infantry Division planned the obstacle in Zone A. It is the 21st obstacle in Group A, Belt 2, and has not been executed. The obstacle is a MOPMS.

Block 5. Enter the map data as stated on the map(s) used.

Block 6. Enter the grid coordinates and a description of at least two landmarks. If the landmarks are roads, trails, or routes, enter their name or number. This makes identification easier when removing the minefield/munition field. When recording minefields/munition fields, GPSs can only be used to determine the coordinates for minefield/munition field landmarks and RPs.

Block 7. Enter the description of intermediate markers, if applicable. When a landmark is more than 200 meters from the minefield/munition field, or a strip or row reference stake cannot be seen from the landmark, an intermediate marker must be used. If possible, the intermediate marker is at least 75 meters from the strip or row reference stake.

Block 8. Enter the word STANDARD when a standard marking fence is used. Describe the boundary marking if a standard marking fence is not used. (Use two sides and the rear for a tactical minefield/munition field; use four sides for a protective minefield/munition field.)

Block 9. Enter the number of strips or rows laid. (Do not include the IOE.) Describe the strip or row markers. Cross out words that do not apply.

Block 10. Enter the width, the marking, and the provisions for each lane. When appropriate, give the types of mines and the number of each type of mine for closing. (The location of these mines is described in Block 12.)

Block 11. Enter the type of minefield/munition field by crossing out the lines that are not needed. Indicate the method of laying by crossing out incorrect descriptions. Enter the types of mines and the number of each type of mine. Also enter the number of AHDs installed in the IOE and in each row. Letter the strips or rows sequentially, starting with the first one laid. Enter totals.

If the type of munition field is Hornet, enter "Hornet" above the word "tactical" and line out "nuisance minefield" and "phoney minefield." (See Figure 8-3a and Figure 8-3b.)

Block 12. As a minimum, enter the following items in Block 12. Also enter any additional information that would be useful when removing the minefield/munition field.

Block 13. The emplacing unit OIC signs and dates the form.

The front side of DA Form 1355 is now complete. Continue on the inside as follows:

Block 14. When completing the sketch, enter arrows for the direction of the enemy and the magnetic north. The enemy arrow will always point within the top 180 degrees of the form; the north arrow will follow one of the graph lines.

Block 15. If a compass was not available, enter what was used in the information block. Indicate the system of measurement and the scale used.

Block 16. Enter the information shown below on the sketch:

Block 17. Enter the security classification of the form. If the form was used for training, enter the word SAMPLE.

Block 18. The emplacing unit OIC signs the signature block.