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The task forces at each camp track the clearance operations, but have not established robust military mine action centers. These centers are needed to act as the single point of contact to collect information on the mine/UXO threat in surrounding areas, coordinate area clearance activities, prioritize areas to be cleared, and keep a single updated map/database record of all clearing operations. At one camp, shifting priorities were a cause of concern among the mine clearing participants. At each base camp, the engineers were responsible for tracking the clearance operations. They reported which areas had been cleared and the location of mines/UXOs. They also made contact with the local de-mining organizations and have maintained communications with these organizations. However, in some circumstances, area clearance procedures are not being tracked in sufficient detail to allow the areas to be turned over to a humanitarian de-mining center upon conclusion of operations. To continue de-mining operations, the humanitarian de-miners need an exact description of the procedures and the markings used within each area to determine what further actions are required to certify that the area is cleared to Tier III UN de-mining standards. A military mine action center should be established immediately after initial operational areas are cleared. The mine action center is responsible for establishing a master plan for clearing areas and establishing procedures/standards on how these areas will be cleared. Representatives from each clearance unit need to attend regular area clearance meetings to report current status, update the group, and review current priorities.
Reference: Lessons learned OEF
Countermine/US Engineeer School 2003 |
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