New Training Aids Help Soldiers Recognize Dangerous Ordnance

During Operation Desert Storm (ODS), 148 Americans were killed in action. Fatalities due to hostile action resulted from a variety of causes, the least of which was direct enemy fire where opposing forces were engaged in combat. Tragically, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and mines proved more deadly than Iraqi guns. In fact, some 20% of GI casualties were caused by mines and unexploded munitions. After the Gulf War, soldier reaction to unexploded ordnance on the battlefield was identified as a battlefield deficiency. General Frederick Franks directed the Army to develop and implement an Army-wide UXO training program. As a result, the U. S. Army Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and School (USAOMMCS) developed instructional video tapes, a plastic ordnance training aid kit, common soldier tasks, field manuals, and graphic training aids to support UXO training. Anew training item was suggested by SGM Gary Sampson of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Department, USAOMMCS. His inexpensive suggestion was to fabricate plastic, vacuum-formed, two-dimensional ordnance recognition boards that show the actual dimensions and ordnance color codes of mines likely to be encountered. The U. S. Army Missile Command (MICOM) Corporate Information Center’s (CIC) Training Support Division developed the prototype. The Army Training Support Center (ATSC), Ft. Eustis, Va., approved a Training Device Fabrication Request and authorized production and distribution throughout the Army. Production of 229 sets of Ammunition Recognition Boards (DVC-T 05-

50) began in December 1995. While the Ammunition Recognition Board Sets effectively address many soldier UXO training needs, they do not include specific regional mine awareness training. Mine awareness prevents mine casualties. Operation Joint Endeavor, in Bosnia, has provided clear evidence of the hazards of mines and reinforces the requirement for mine awareness during peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations and all operations throughout the spectrum of war. Land mines, used by all warring parties in the conflict, are among the biggest dangers facing U. S. forces — there may be 4-6 million antitank and antipersonnel mines randomly laid in mountain roads, fields, forests, and villages in the area. USAOMMCS and CIC-MICOM collected regional mines, mine fuzes, delay-firing and booby trap devices from U. S. and foreign sources to make a set of Mine Recognition Boards appropriate to the area. This set, called the Mine Recognition Board Set (DVC-T 05-51), was funded for production, and manufacture of 160 sets began in February 1996. Quantities of both DVC-T 05-50 and DVC-T 05-51 have already been produced and shipped to some Army Training Support Centers (ATSC). Production and shipments of both sets continues. New Training Aids Help Soldiers Recognize Dangerous Ordnance by the TRADOC Munitions System Manager’s Office Two examples of the new ammunition and mine recognition boards now being produced to help soldiers identify and avoid these battlefield killers. While the ordnance looks remarkably real, the vacuum-formed boards are actually thin, lightweight, and easily shipped. ARMOR — 41 Points of Contact Ammunition and Mine Recognition Board Training Aid Suggestor: SGM Gary Sampson EOD Training Department, USAOMMCS

Redstone Arsenal, AL 35897-6801

Training Aids Manager: Ms. Juanita Davis U. S. Army Training Support Center (ATSC)

Ft. Eustis, VA 23606-5166

Ammunition and Mine Recognition Board Producer Mr. Randy Porter

Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898-7462