ALL
UNITS WILL HAVE TO
BREACH
SCATTERABLE MINES
In future conflicts between U.S. and Soviet forces, all U.S. units (CBT, CS, and CSS) will likely encounter antipersonnel and antivehicle scatterable mines (SM) on the battlefield. Observations from recent training exercises indicate that not all units, especially CS and CSS units, are trained to breach SM. In many situations, units suddenly encountering or "straddled" by SM will have to use their own personnel and equipment to breach out of the minefield. The following are a few examples of how SM can be used against U.S units:
- During
an Attack
When an attacking (or counterattacking) unit breaches an obstacle, SM can be dispensed directly in front of the unit to disrupt its attack and enhance the fires of direct and indirect weapon systems. SM can also be dispensed behind the attacking unit to delay follow-on units and re-seed breached obstacles.
- Assembly
Areas
Deliver SM directly on a unit in an assembly area making movement in any direction precarious. The unit can then be engaged by artillery, multiple rocket launchers, attack helicopters, and/or close air support, forcing the unit into the difficult decision of remaining stationary or moving through the SM.
- Area
Denial
Dispense SM on potential unit locations in rear areas to deny units the use of terrain and to disrupt support activities.
- Restricted
Terrain
Deliver SM on a unit moving through restricting terrain (defile, mountain pass, bridge, etc.) to delay, disrupt, and disorganize the unit, making it more vulnerable to additional means of attack.
Countermine Doctrine
Current U.S. countermine doctrine is found in Chapters 4 and 5, FM 20-32, Mine/Countermine Operations, and in FC 90-13-1, Obstacle Breaching Procedures, TBP 3QFY87. These references address breaching conventional minefields. The techniques and procedures discussed for breaching surface laid minefields are also valid for breaching SM. The following breaching techniques for surface laid mines are discussed in FC 90-13-1 (Draft):
- Grapnel hooks for tripwires.
- Grapnel hooks for mines with antihandling devices.
- DOZER/ACE/CEV Blades
- Roller System
- Blade System (Plow)
- Breaching using explosives
- M173 Projected Line Charge
- M58A1/2 Mine Clearing Line Charge
Future U.S. SM Breaching Procedures
The Engineer School is currently developing specific SM breaching procedures for units that are "straddled" by SM when moving or stationary.
How the Soviets Do It
Numerous Soviet publications contain discussions on techniques and procedures for rapidly breaching SM. Some of their techniques and procedures that may be of interest to U.S. units are:
- Commanders organize constant reconnaissance, notify subordinates about mined areas in a timely manner, train personnel on the means and methods for handling scatterable mines, and clearing terrain in a timely manner.
- Each unit assigns observers to constantly watch for scatterable mines regardless of where the unit is.
- If a unit finds itself in a mined area, the unit establishes a central passage route that usually coincides with its basic direction of movement. To do this, a battalion has an obstacle clearing group of one or two squads equipped with clearing equipment (grapnel hooks and explosives). Platoons and companies use their own forces to establish auxiliary passages to the central passage. Individual vehicles can bypass the mined area.
- If a unit moving in a column is "straddled" by mines, it stops. Personnel dismount and manually (using long poles) clear mines from the road.
- Units bypass minefields in front of their column or cross them in a lane cleared by the leading team.
Training
The requirement for all units to conduct countermine operations is discussed in FM 100-5, Operations, pg 81, dtd May 86. Most units will need engineer assistance to properly train personnel in countermine operations. As a minimum, units should ensure that selected personnel are trained in the following areas:
- U.S. and foreign mine warfare doctrine
- Planning countermine operations
- Characteristics of U.S. and foreign SM
- Detection techniques
- Bypassing SM
- Breaching SM with and without engineer support
- Proofing techniques
- Marking lanes
- Reporting procedures
Bottom Line
The Soviets and other potential adversaries will continue to improve the technology of their SM and the ways to employ them. SM will be used to disrupt and disorganize units throughout the depth of the battlefield. Only units that are adequately trained will be able to overcome SM with minimum personnel casualties and vehicle losses.
Table
of Contents
IFF
Procedures are Important
Leadership
Study: Ft Hood; MI Battalion SIGINT/EW Training
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