SPMAGTF(X) MOUT Training Program of Instruction

Booby Trap and Mine Awareness

INTRODUCTION

GAIN ATTENTION

PURPOSE

The purpose of this class is to give an introduction on booby traps and mines in an urban environment. During this class we will discuss how to properly employ booby traps and mines. We will also discuss the different types of mines and their recommended use.

INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS

Ref: MCO 15103.C

0300.5.11, 0300.5.12

MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Without the aid of references and in accordance with MCWP 3-35.3, properly employ booby traps and mines in an urban environment.

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Know the different types of mines and their recommended use.
2. Know the different types of equipment used in mine clearing operations.
3. Know the different methods of detecting tripwires.
4. Know the principles of employing booby traps.
5. Know the methods of operation for booby traps.
6. Know the responsibilities for employing booby traps.

METHODS AND MEDIA

This class will be taught by lecture and will be aided by a Powerpoint presentation.

TESTING

These is no written test. You will be required to demonstrate the course material through practical application.

TRANSITION

BODY

1. Mines and booby traps are designed to prevent movement of personnel, to separate infantry from tanks and to slow or stop vehicles.

2. Mines and Booby traps are often used to construct antipersonnel obstacles. The obstacles are use to block the following infantry approaches and areas:

a. Street
b. Buildings
c. Roofs
d. Open spaces
e. Dead spaces
f. Underground areas

3. The approval to booby trap buildings must come from the ground component element (GCE) commander, however, this authority may be delegated to subordinate commanders.

4. Mines and booby traps can be placed in dead spaces to restrict infantry movement in areas that cannot be observed and protected by direct fire. Anti-armor mines are restricted to use on roadways.

5. Booby traps are constructed in buildings to deny infantry covered routes and weapons positions close to friendly defensive positions.

6. All mine and booby trap locations must be recorded. If placed inside a building, the sketch should include the buildings number and the floor plan. The sketch should also include the type of explosive and the firing device. When possible, mined or booby trapped buildings should be marked on the friendly side. Clearing these areas is extremely difficult and this is a major consideration when planning and authorizing the placement of these devices.

7. Several types of mines can be employed in an urban environment:

a. The M14 mine to confuse and hinder enemy breaching attempts. It must be carefully employed because its light weight makes it easy to displace. However, its small size makes it ideal for obscure places such as stairs and cellars.

b. The M16A2 mine is ideal for covering large areas such as rooftops, yards, parks, and cellars. It can be rigged for command detonation by attaching a rope or piece of communications wire to the pull ring.

c. The M18A1 Claymore mine can be employed during the reorganization and consolidation phase of an operation along likely enemy avenues of approach. The Claymore does not have to be employed on the street as it can cover the area from the sides of buildings or any other sturdy structure. The Claymore can also be used for demolition against thin skinned buildings and walls. Claymores arranged for demolition by tripwire can be mixed with antipersonnel and antitank mines for use in minefields and can also be used to fill the dead space in the final protective fires of automatic weapons. In the offense Claymores can be used at blocking positions to cut off enemy avenues of escape.

d. The M15, M19, and M21 antitank mines should be used in conjunction with other man made obstacles and covered by fire. A possible use is on streets or alleys to block routes of advance along narrow defiles. They can also be used as command detonated mines in conjunction with other types of demolitions.

14. Enemy Mines and Booby Traps

a. When moving through a building always assume the presence of booby traps. Items such as valuables, enemy weapons, and even food may be rigged with pressure devices that explode when the item is moved. Marines must remain dispersed so that if a booby trap is tripped the casualty rate will be minimal.

d. One method of detecting trip wires is to use a 10 foot pole with 5 feet of string tied to one end. Attach a weight to the loose end of the string. The string will "snap" on any trip wires making them much more easier to detect. Two other methods are to use a flashlight to cause reflection and shadows off of tripwires or to us a wand with a dangling thread that is swept over the ground ahead, watch the threat for any disturbance caused by a trip wire.

c. Booby traps have been employed over the years to prevent forces from freely moving into certain areas and restricting their action once they arrive. Booby traps are used to:

1) Restrict movement
2) Create casualties
3) Tax medical resources
4) Lower morale
5) Create confusion and uncertainty
6) Deny comfort and facilities

15. The U.S. is very restricted and controlled in its use of booby traps and mines. Unfortunately, many of our potential adversaries in MOUT are ill disciplined and will deploy these devices randomly without recording the locations. ALWAYS assume that these devices are present on the urban battlefield.

16. Certain principles can be drawn from the previous use of booby traps during MOUT:

a. Concealment: The charge and mechanism are concealed or made to resemble a harmless object with very little disturbance to the surroundings.

b. Constricted Localities: The more constricted the space, the more likely the device will be sprung. Any type of defile should be considered a likely location for booby traps.

c. Concentration: The more traps laid, the more likely of detonation. Dummy traps are also used freely.

d. Double Bluff: An obvious trap used to conceal the presence of another nearby.

e. Inconvenience: Traps sprung by the removal of obstacles, furniture, or even litter.

f. Curiosity: Traps sprung by the handling of souvenirs, pictures, food containers, weapons, etc.

g. Everyday Operations: Traps sprung by opening doors or windows or using telephones or light switches etc.

h. Attraction: Come on, delay-action or incendiary bombs used to attract personnel to a booby trap site.

i. Alternate Firing Methods: Booby traps with two or more ways of triggering.

j. Variety: Many different types of booby traps in one location.

17. Booby traps can take any form and may consist of service issue switches and devices or can be of an improvised nature. Regardless of the device, all explosive booby traps contain the following components:

a. Trigger switch.
b. Detonator assembly.
c. Safety device.
d. Explosive charge.

18. The common types of booby trap triggering methods are:

a. Pressure.
b. Pressure release.
c. Pull or tension.
d. Tension release.

19. Alternate booby trap triggering methods include:

a. Mechanical time delay - clockwork time.
b. Electrical time delay - micro chip timer.
c. Chemical time delay - restraining wire and acid.
d. Electrical collapsing circuit - break wire.

20. All traps require a trigger mechanism, this is known as the switch. The switch may be improvised, a standard mechanism, or a combination of one or more of the common types of triggering methods.

21. The detection of booby traps and the reduction of casualties is a matter of discipline and training. A working knowledge of booby traps must be combined with keen eyesight and a suspicious mind. Although the detection and clearance of thee devices is usually associated with the combat engineers, every Marine must maintain a keen situational awareness to avoid becoming an unnecessary victim. Common indicators that may tip a Marine to the presence of a booby traps are:

a. Absence of people.
b. Attractive items.
c. Disturbed ground, floor boards, fittings, etc.
d. Sawdust, nails, signs of recent work.
e. Footprints.
f. Battery wrappings, wire clippings.
g. Minor channeling.
h. Loose floorboards.
i. Broken locks and catches.

QUESTIONS

SUMMARY

Marines must always maintain a keen situational awareness during MOUT. The presence of mines and booby traps must always be assumed.

The MOUT Homepage Hot Links:

U.S. Army FM 20-32 Mine/Countermine Operations (Chapter 12 - Special Environments, Chapter 13 - Booby Traps)

Alternatives to Antipersonnel Mines (CELL)

Antipersonnel Landmine Policy and Implications (CELL)

Special Operations.Com's EOD/Combat Engineer Page

TTPs for Preparing a Claymore Mine for use in a Tactical Environment (CALL)

Demining (CALL)

U.S. Army TC 31-34 Humanitarian Demining Operations

Mine Warfare During Peace Support Operations (ALLC)