TOPIC: Mine Warfare Operations.
DISCUSSION: Operation RESTORE HOPE demonstrated the requirement for accurate prediction, detection, removal, proofing, cleared route marking, and area clearance of landmines during OOTW. Whenever soldiers enter areas where others have fought, they will encounter large numbers of unexploded ordnance and inevitably operate in unmarked and uncleared mined areas. In Somalia, it was not unusual for children to bring unexploded ordnance to soldiers nor was it uncommon for patrols to find minefields or caches of ammunition.
LESSON(s):
- Landmines will continue be a significant threat to future force projection operations and operations other than war. In every major peacekeeping arena from Cambodia to Bosnia, mines and fabricated explosives continue to take a toll on troops and civilians.
- Units should train on detection, removal, cleared route marking, proofing and area clearance operations. Develop unit drills for dealing with mines and unexploded ordinance.
- Heavy mine-clearing capability, such as mine plows and Mine-Clearing Line Charge (MICLICs), may not be appropriate during OOTW when MSR road surfaces should not be destroyed.
- Exploitation of HUMINT is a good source of information of suspected minefield locations.
- Look for signs of mining activities, which include: dead animals, craters, blown vehicles, disturbed soil, etc.
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