Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Surveying Eighty-Year-Old Battlefields In Solomon Islands, Simon Conway

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Surveying battlefield sites and abandoned ammunition depots eighty years after a conflict presents a challenge. There are few living witnesses, and the land has often changed beyond recognition. In Solomon Islands, the situation is exacerbated by a combination of familiarity and lack of information. Civilians have grown accustomed to the presence of ordnance and concluded that the problem is intractable. At the same time, it is not known how many people have died or been injured because of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and abandoned (AXO) ordnance. Nor is it known where the accidents occurred or what the victims were doing at …

Emergency Explosive Ordnance Risk Education: Lessons Learned From Ukraine, Nick Vovk

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Following the Russian Federation military offensive launched on 24 February 2022, the context and extent of Ukraine’s explosive ordnance (EO) contamination drastically changed, leaving mine action (MA) operators with the need to provide emergency explosive ordnance risk education (EORE). Faced with scarce up-to-date guidance and good practices on the topic, the global EORE Advisory Group (AG)[1] produced a refreshed document to support implementation. In September 2023, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) also surveyed the entire MA community in Ukraine and organized a joint lessons-learned workshop to review the past eighteen months of emergency EORE programming. The workshop addressed various …

The Detection Problem: An Eight-Decade Challenge: The Difficulty Of Practically Detecting And Discriminating Mines, Booby Traps, And Victim Operated Improvised Explosive Devices, Roly Evans, Tracey Temple Phd, Liz Nelson

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Reliably detecting and discriminating mines, booby traps, and victim operated improvised explosive devices remains a stubborn problem for both humanitarian demining organizations and the military. Since mines were widely used during the Second World War, much effort has been expended on the detection problem, with limited success. The aim of being able to positively identify a device first time remains elusive since the scientific challenge of positively identifying different substances in the ground is formidable. This article critically examines the detection problem and suggests that in the continued absence of a ‘silver bullet’ technological solution, the best means currently available …

Ammunition Identification Guide For Ukraine: A Collaborative Project Amidst War (Ukrainian Edition), Lieutenant Perederii, Tony Salvo, Drew Prater

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Під час операцій зі знешкодження вибухонебезпечних предметів вміння ідентифікувати боєприпаси є надзвичайно важливим. Після ідентифікації боєприпасу стає відомим його заряд вибухової речовини/наповнювач та потенційні небезпеки, що у свою чергу уможливлює безпечне та контрольоване поводження із даним боєприпасом. Під час очищення Фаллуджі, Мосула і прилеглих територій в Іраку ми зіштовхнулися із залишеними вибухонебезпечними предметами (ЗВП) та вибухонебезпечними залишками війни (ВЗВ) з двадцяти трьох різних країн, що кинуло виклик навіть найзавзятішим вибухотехнікам. З огляду на це, було створено документ з ідентифікації боєприпасів на основі знайдених боєприпасів, найновіше видання якого містить понад 340 різних боєприпасів. Ті, хто старанно працює над знешкодженням вибухонебезпечних предметів …

Reviving Old Mosul: 3d Modeling Aids Safe Clearance In Iraq, Erin Atkinson, Marc Dennehy, Craig Locke

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Under the 2014–2017 Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) occupation, the Old City of Mosul, Iraq, served as a headquarters for the self-proclaimed caliphate. ISIS produced, stored, and transited money, modern munitions, weapons, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) through the city's ancient stone streets. To approach the immense and technically challenging task of clearing the Old City efficiently, effectively, and safely—without compromising the city's rich cultural history—Tetra Tech created a 3D model using aerial photogrammetry to quantify and visualize the scope and scale of the project.

Ammunition Identification Guide For Ukraine: A Collaborative Project Amidst War, Lieutenant Perederii, Tony Salvo, Drew Prater

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

To deal with such a large number of diverse munitions, the US-based nongovernmental organization (NGO) Bomb Techs Without Borders (BTWOB),[1] has co-published the Basic Identification of Ammunition in Ukraine[2] (https://ukr.bulletpicker.com/id-guides.html), which is in its fourth version and is available in Ukrainian and English. Initially, the guide was exclusively available in Ukrainian to cater to the target audience—Ukrainian security services, sappers, and EOD personnel. However, an English version of the 3.0 edition was subsequently published on 22 March 2023.

Mag Emergency Response: Digital Explosive Ordnance Risk Education In Somalia, Robin Toal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

On 9 June 2023, a tragic accident involving unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Qoryoley town in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia claimed the lives of twenty-seven civilians, including twenty-two children, and left fifty-three others injured. The tragedy was caused when several young children discovered a mortar round on the ground in an open playing field that they started to play with and consequently exploded. In response to the accident, Mines Advisory Group (MAG) mobilized both headquarters and Somalia based staff to develop a rapid response digital explosive ordnance risk education campaign (DEORE) using paid adverts targeting Meta (Facebook & Instagram) …

An Accessible Seeded Field For Humanitarian Mine Action Research, Jasper Baur, Gabriel Steinberg, John Frucci, Anthony Brinkley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The detection of buried and surface explosive remnants of war (ERW) is a critical task in the land release process.[1] The goal of this project is to create a long-term study site and benchmark to accelerate humanitarian mine action (HMA) research for the detection of buried ERW, including unexploded ordnance (UXO), landmines, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). A crucial step in transitioning experimental detection techniques from the lab to the field is conducting rigorous field testing in a realistic and safe environment.[2]^,[3],[4] With most academic institutions lacking access to stockpiles of inert ERW to …

Department Of State's Quick Reaction Force: Twenty-Three Years Of Service, Charlie Holloway

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

For the past twenty-three years, the United States has provided rapid responses to landmine and munitions/explosives related emergencies in some of the most vulnerable populations around the world. Initiated with a group from Mozambique, the Quick Reaction Demining Force (QRDF) was designed by the U.S. Department of State to rapidly respond to landmine emergencies. Presently, its response capacity has expanded to include experts in battle area clearance (BAC) and physical security and stockpile management (PSSM). These professionals volunteer for deployments on short notice to address emergencies globally. The Department of State Quick Reaction Force (QRF), managed by the Political/Military Bureau …

27.1 Endnotes

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

No abstract provided.

Director's Letter, Suzanne Fiederlein

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

No abstract provided.

Mine Action In Support Of Yemen's Peace Process, Josh Ridley

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Between April and October 2022, the two major parties of Yemen’s ongoing conflict, the internationally recognized government (IRG) and the de facto authorities (DFA), agreed to a truce brokered by the UN’s Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY). A central component of the UN-brokered truce included the re-opening of roads around Yemen’s third largest city, Ta’iz, which all parties agreed to in principle. While an expected extension of the truce did not extend beyond October 2, there has not been a significant escalation in violence since the truce expired. The re-opening of roads in Ta’iz …

When A Safety Measure Becomes A Risk Accelerant: Removing The Option To Blast-In-Place When Clearing Explosive Remnants Of War, Lieutenant Colonel Geir P. Novik

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Accessible pdf attached.

The legacy of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and abandoned ammunition following armed conflict will, in many cases, have a severe impact on society and daily life, even for years or decades after hostilities end. These explosive remnants of war (ERW) represent a grave threat in many aspects, and the human, societal, and environmental impact can be severe. These explosive objects must therefore be located and disposed of—a job in itself that involves serious risks. Therefore, various safety measures are implemented to mitigate these risks. Some safety measures, however, could prove to have less than the desired effect, and …

Inspiring The Next Generation Of Humanitarian Mine Action Researchers, Madison Tuohy, Eva Greenspan, Sofia Fasullo, Jasper Baur, Gabriel Steinberg, Linda Zheng, Alex Nikulin Phd, Garrett M. Clayton Phd, Timothy De Smet Phd

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Accessible pdf attached.

Humanitarian mine action (HMA) is a critically under-researched field when compared to other hazards fields of similar societal impact. A potential solution to this problem is early exposure to and engagement in the HMA field in undergraduate education. Early undergraduate education emphasizing technical and social aspects of HMA can help protect lives by building a robust pipeline of passionate researchers who will find new solutions to the global explosive ordnance (EO) crisis. Early engagement of the next generation of HMA researchers and policy makers can occur through various classroom experiences, undergraduate research projects, and public outreach events. …

Gender And Diversity Mainstreaming In Mine Action: Where Are We In Colombia?, Salomé Valencia Aguirre Md, Angela Desantis Phd, Sandra Salas-Quijano, Sebastián Tovar Jaramillo, Liliana Dulca-Amaya Phd

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Accessible pdf attached.

Women, girls, boys, and men are affected differently by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) and hold different views on the challenges presented by them. Gender and other diversity factors, such as ethnicity and disability, condition individual views on vulnerability, needs, and coping capacities. This paper aims to identify the progress made by the humanitarian mine action (HMA) sector in Colombia toward gender equity and diversity through various methodological approaches and indicates that gender and diversity gaps persist. The greatest progress has been made in terms of policies and data disaggregation. We understand that public and …

The Road Ahead: Clearance Toward Sustainability In Bosnia And Herzegovina, Sean Sutton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Accessible pdf attached.

The 1992-1995 Yugoslav wars resulted in landmines and explosive remnants of war that continue to contaminate the Balkans. In 2021—over 25 years after the end of the wars—the Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor considered Bosnia and Herzegovina to be the most explosive ordnance-contaminated country in Europe, and characterized the landmine contamination alone as "massive." As of March 2022, The Landmine Monitor reported that Bosnia and Herzegovina had more than 945 km2 of suspected hazardous areas (SHA) and more than 20 km2 of confirmed hazardous areas.

Ukraine: Coordinating The Reponse, Greg Crowther

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The war in Ukraine has seen the use of ground and aerial weapons on a scale not seen in Europe for decades, causing immense devastation and human suffering. And the legacy of explosive hazards since the onset of the war, in the form of unexploded ordnance, landmines, and cluster munitions, will take decades to address. It’s a legacy that will kill and injure civilians long after the conflict has ended. This is not just a problem for the future, however but a challenge for the present: explosive ordnance risks civilian lives, hampers efforts to deliver emergency humanitarian aid, and prevents …

Automated Uas Aeromagnetic Surveys To Detect Mbrl Unexploded Ordnance, Alex Nikulin, Ph.D., Timothy Desmet, Ph.D., Andrii Puliaiev, Vasyl Zhurakhov, Sofia Fasullo, Gabriel Chen, Isaac Spiegel, Kaylee Cappuccio

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Unguided Multiple Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) systems are limited-accuracy, high-impact artillery systems meant to deliver barrages of explosive warheads across a wide area of attack. High rates of failure of MBRL rockets on impact and their wide area of ballistic dispersion result in a long-term unexploded ordnance (UXO) concern across large areas where these systems have been deployed. We field tested a newly-developed UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)-based aeromagnetic platform to remotely detect and identify unexploded 122 mm rockets of the widely-used BM-21 MBRL. We developed an algorithm that allows near real-time analysis, mapping, and interpretations of magnetic datasets in the …

The Journal Of Conventional Weapons Destruction Issue 23.3 (2020), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Southeast Asia | Risk Management | Cluster Munitions Remnants Survey | IMAS Training in Vietnam | Mine Risk Education | Victim Assistance | Underwater Clearance | Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality in HMA | HMA in the Gray Zone | IED Clearance Capacity in Afghanistan

Providing Imas Training To Local Military Forces And Mitigating Long-Term Erw Risks In Vietnam, Allan R. Vosburgh

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Residual risk from unexploded ordnance (UXO) is a by-product of all modern conflicts. Developed by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), the Management of Residual Explosive Remnants of War (MORE) program seeks to characterize risk and carefully examine the factors involved in reducing long-term risks from munitions.¹ MORE looks at many factors, including the impacts of time on munitions, explosives, and fuzing systems. Other critical considerations are the resources available to manage residual UXO and best practices from former conflict areas used to successfully overcome the risk reduction challenges. In Vietnam, the Golden West Humanitarian Foundation (Golden …

Explosive Ordnance In The Baltic Sea: New Tools For Decision Makers, Torsten Frey, Jacek Beldowski, Edmund Maser

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The global ocean economy is predicted to grow by more than 100 percent between 2010 and 2030. By then, more than 40 million people are going to be employed by the maritime industry.¹ Recognizing this potential, the European Union (EU) devised a “Blue Growth” strategy that seeks to reap the anticipated economic benefits.² While technological advancements allow for an increased utilization of marine resources, the newly gained access to untapped opportunities forces coastal nations to simultaneously face the challenge of explosive remnants of war (ERW) and chemical warfare agents (CWAs) in the sea.

The Journal Of Conventional Weapons Destruction Issue 23.1 (2019), Cisr Journal

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Ukraine | Interviews with HMA Directors | Southeast Europe | Lessons From the Past: Holland | Field Notes | Research and Development

The Hybrid Thermal Lance: A Promising New Technique For The Destruction Of Landmines And Uxo By Deflagration, Donald Pratt, Nick Torbet

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Explosive ordnance can be destroyed by a variety of methods. Destruction in-situ using an explosive charge is generally the preferred means; it is reliable, technically straightforward, and often the safest option. Other techniques include thermite-based tools or low-explosive powered disruptors. However, in a number of current humanitarian mine action (HMA) operating environments, clearance organizations are faced with restrictions on explosive use and/or importation of other energetic materials such as thermite. This may be due to the legitimate security concerns of mine-affected states, or legislative frameworks that do not account for non-military use of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) tools. This takes …

Advanced Geophysical Classification Of Wwii-Era Unexploded Bombs Using Borehole Electromagnetics, Laurens Beran, Stephen Billings

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The legacy of World War II-era unexploded bombs (UXB) is an ongoing public safety hazard throughout Europe, and especially in Germany. Large, air-dropped bombs that are a legacy of Allied bombing campaigns are discovered on a weekly basis in Germany, requiring evacuations and disposal efforts costing hundreds of thousands of Euros in some instances.

This article presents recent work done by Black Tusk Geophysics using advanced geophysical classification (AGC) to reliably identify hazardous ordnance at urban sites in Germany. After briefly describing electromagnetic (EM) sensors and data processing required for AGC, this article will discuss survey and design considerations for …

Addressing The Explosive Hazard Threat In Northern Syria: Risk Education On Landmines, Uxo, Booby Traps, And Ieds, Louise Skilling, Marysia Zapasnik

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Explosive hazards pose a great threat to civilians in Syria. A rapid return of displaced people usually occurs as soon as an area is declared newly taken. During this period, there is limited medical and explosive clearance capacity although there are high risks from explosive hazards, including booby traps and improvised explosive devices (IED) specifically targeting civilians in their homes. This article focuses on addressing the threat of explosive hazards in northern Syria and draws on risk education material designed by humanitarian mine action

Vietnam 40 Years After The War, Sean Sutton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Sean Sutton, photographer and international communications manager for MAG (Mines Advisory Group), provides a photographic essay of MAG's clearance work in Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces, Vietnam.

Influence Of Mre Education On Explosive Ordnance Disposal In Quang Tri, Hien Xuan Ngo, Phu Thanh Nguyen

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

In collaboration with local and international organizations, Project RENEW is facilitating comprehensive mine risk education initiatives in Vietnam’s Quang Tri province.

Implementing Culturally-Sensitive Risk Education In Somalia, Abigail Jones, Kjell Ivar Breili

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Somali Compact 2014–2016 outlines the objectives of the Somalia federal government to guide the process of stabilization and peace building. The Compact also recognizes the vital contributions by representatives of women, youth, civil society organizations, traditional elders, religious leaders, diaspora and the business community from all segments in each region.¹

Mre Certification Courses In Mali, Sri Lanka And Tajikistan, Sebastian Kasack

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

UNICEF developed a mine risk education (MRE) certification course to regulate the accreditation of MRE educators. The certification courses have had varied success in Mali, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan.

Protecting The Environment: Mine Clearance In Skallingen, Denmark, Martin Jebens

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Denmark has long been affected by landmines. Environmental factors such as landscape, wildlife and endangered species make mine clearance difficult. However, through environmental legislation and mine clearance, Denmark has reestablished areas in Skallingen for use.