Military

As discussed in Chapter 1, UXO hazards on the battlefield have an enormous affect on command and control decisions for battle planning. The location of these hazards is vital to the command and control elements when projecting movement and support of combat units. UXO hazards also have a direct impact on the combat capabilities of any element that encounters them. To assist commanders, an effective UXO reporting system must be in place and maintained to allow commanders to concentrate EOD and engineer assets according to priorities and battle plans.

The UXO spot report is a detailed, swift, two-way reporting system that makes clear where the UXO hazard areas are, what their priorities are, and which units are affected by them. The report is used to request help in handling a UXO hazard that is beyond a unit's ability to handle and that affects the unit's mission. This report helps the commander set priorities based on the battlefield situation.

The UXO spot report is the first-echelon report that is sent when a UXO is encountered. Information about this report is also found in GTA 9-12-1 and in the supplemental information section of the signal operating instructions (SOI), where it is just behind the request for medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). The report consists of nine lines. The information must be sent by the fastest means available and the required information provided in the following order:

The priority you request must correspond with the tactical situation you described on Line 7 of the report (Impact on Mission). Remember, these priorities refer only to the UXO impact on your current mission. A priority of Minor or No Threat does not mean that the UXO is not dangerous.

The UXO spot report is forwarded through your chain of command. Each commander in the chain who receives/reviews the report may change the priority to reflect the current tactical situation or projected battle plans. It is the responsibility of each commander in the chain to ensure that UXO spot reports are forwarded through command channels and that the proper priority is set for each report.

If a higher-level commander in the chain changes a priority, all subordinate commanders, especially the commander of the reporting unit, must be told. Commanders must keep the following in mind: even though they may lower a priority, the reporting unit must be able to continue its mission until help comes. In addition to the priority status, all commanders need to be kept informed of the status of each UXO hazard in their area.

The final priority is determined by the reporting unit's higher headquarters that is supported by EOD or engineer units. Based on mission, enemy, terrain, troops, and time available (METT-T), EOD or engineer teams are dispatched to respond to the hazard.