Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Aardvark Mark Iv Joint Services Flail Unit Capabilities Demonstration, U.S. Humanitarian Demining Research And Development

Global CWD Repository

The Aardvark Clear Mine, Limited (a private British company) of Scotland has been designing and producing a variety of mechanical minefield clearance machines for seventeen (17) years. The Mark IV Joint Services Flail Unit (MKIV, see picture 1 on the next page) has been in production since 1999, and it is the product of years of improvement to the Aardvark Flail System basic design. Improvements affect engine performance, flail depth, flail control, steering control, operator safety, operator comfort, navigation and maintenance. The steering control (dual steering) can be switched from the operator (in the left seat) to the operator (in …

Ddasaccident373, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

At approximately 1320hrs on the day of the accident, the team leader of 13M [the Victim] was called forward by one of his deminers [name excised] to remove a PMA3 blast mine that he had located approximately 10cm beyond his base stick. [The Victim[ instructed the deminer to return to the rest area and wait until he had completed removing the mine. As [the Victim] got into the prone position to remove the mine he knelt on another PMA3 mine that was in the cleared lane.

Ddasaccident353, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

07:00 Casualty arrived in cleaning area at the minefield tasks site and began to prepare the machine for operations. [Ex pat No.1] took over responsibility for the demining operations from [Ex-pat No.2] in the neighbouring minefield. 07:15 Flailing operations began. 07:35 Detonation occurred.

Ddasaccident370, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The Victim was working on a slope and the initial blast caused him to fall backwards and roll a little way down the hill. The team leader witnessed the explosion and then assisted the Victim to the rest area where they then awaited the arrival of the team medic. [The control group] was notified of the accident and a helicopter CASEVAC was requested. When the medic arrived he applied first aid treatment to his eyes. He was then assisted to the helicopter winch area by the medic and the remainder of the team and awaited the arrival of the CASEVAC …

Ddasaccident370, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

On the day of the accident at approximately 11:45hrs, the Victim was commencing a clearance lane up the side of a hill. He was investigating a reading from his metal detector by prodding, and was in the kneeling position at the time. Whilst prodding he detonated a PMA3 anti-personnel blast mine.

Ddasaccident367, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

Approximately 70cm past this 1.2m x 1.2m area was a visual PMR2A. [The Victim] had an indication from his metal detector and was investigating this reading. He had cut the vegetation and was in the process of turning around to get his detector to pin point the reading when he placed the outside of his left foot on the mine and it detonated.

Ddasaccident440, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

HALO Sri Lanka manual demininG SOPs for 100% excavation. He was using the axe hammer tool to excavate the face of his lane down to a depth of 15cm when the detonation occurred. The mine detonated on the left hand side of his lane as he was using the axe hammer.”

Ddasaccident501, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

At approx. 0855 Hrs on Tuesday 11th September 2001 the deminer [the Victim] was fatally injured while performing manual demining duties for [International demining NGO]. The accident was caused by the accidental detonation of Pt Mi Ba III anti-tank mine. It should be noted that the casualty had been accepted to participate in the next Team Leaders course. At the commencement of the shift he was congratulated by all members of GS8 for being accepted for a demining team leader course. He was extremely happy on the day of the accident. He was married with one child and had no …

3rd Meeting Of The States Parties To The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (2001), Apmbc

Global CWD Repository

Managua, 18-21 September 2001

THIRD MEETING OF THE STATES PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON THE PROHIBITION OF THE USE, STOCKPILING, PRODUCTION AND TRANSFER OF ANTI-PERSONNEL MINES AND ON THEIR DESTRUCTION

Ddasaccident372, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

[The Team Leader] then proceeded to step over the base stick at the end of the lane into the uncleared area. He has stated he did this in order to investigate the tripwire and identify the location of the PMR2A fragmentation mine. No one witnessed him at this time, and at 09:35hrs an uncontrolled detonation was heard in the location of where [the Victim] had walked.

Ddasaccident311, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The victim was conducting a “full-excavation” drill wearing a protective vest (RBR), a full-face visor with headband, and gloves. He was using a gardening tool/hand trowel and as he worked, he activated an M14 mine with the trowel.

Ddasaccident405, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

The work-site leader, [the Victim], came to deminer [Deminer 1] at 9:20 to measure and record the positions of the mines he had found. During that process he noticed a PMA-2 in the waste [on the ground?] next to his left foot. During the exit of deminers from the lane and due to his own movements he activated [another] PMA-2, from which explosion he suffered heavy injuries (with the consequent amputation of his left foot).

Ddasaccident348, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

One deminer in team two notified his Section Leader that he had found a fuse in his lane. The Section Leader removed the fuse by lifting it and left the lane. Once back to his control point he decided to disarm the fuse by using a needle. When he opened the booster the fuse detonated.

An Interview With The Nicaraguan Minister Of Defense, Dr. José Adán Guerra Pastora, Margaret S. Busé

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The Minister of Defense stressed that demining operations in his country are purely a humanitarian mission. The ultimate goals are to make the land safe for the communities and its children.

The Journal Of Mine Action Issue 5.2 (2001), Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Landmines in Central and South America

Aicma: Helping Central America, Organization Of American States

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Since its creation in 1998, Comprehensive Action against Anti-personnel Mines (AICMA) has been devoted to numerous landmine issues. Recently, however, AICMA has focused its attention on the vast problems found throughout Central America, allying itself with other organizations such as the Assistance Program for Demining in Central America (PADCA), a group largely devoted to humanitarian issues. Working together, AICMA and its partners have accomplished a great deal throughout the continent.

On The Cutting Edge Of Landmine Technology, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The tools and technology of the demining world are constantly developing and improving. This article briefly describes several new instruments and techniques currently being developed that will hopefully aid in future demining activity.

The Southern African Development Community’S Technical Advisors Course, Salomon Schreuder, Kevin Bolton

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

With funding and support from South African and international groups, the SADC teams up with IMEESA to improve deminers’ management and technology skills.

Geneva Diary: Report From The Gichd, Paddy Blagden

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The GICHD works with numerous organizations to assist demining efforts in Central and South America. Through programs such as IMSMA and the Afghan Dog Program, GICHD has contributed significantly to mine action in Latin America and continues to do so.

The Necessity Of Implementing A Public-Health Approach To Humanitarian Demining, Daniel Wolf, Steven Barmazel

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Clearing mines is expensive, and demining programs usually consume funding before reaching the task of mine removal. The authors suggest ways to make demining more practical, effective and economical using a "public-health" approach.

United States Southern Command, Southcom, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

SOUTHCOM has humanitarian demining programs in several Central American countries. With help from the OAS, SOUTHCOM is able to make progress in helping this area become mine free.

The Inter-American Defense Board, An Interview With Colonel Rowcliffe, Margaret S. Busé

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Colonel Rowcliffe discusses the efforts of the IADB, MARMINCA, OAS and PADCA in coordinating demining efforts in Central America.

Mine Detection Dogs In Central America: An Optimum Technology?, Jaime Perales

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Using mine detection dogs offers many benefits as well as challenges. In the often rough terrain of Central America, dogs can detect mines where machinery is useless, yet climate and disease pose threats to the dogs’ effectiveness and sometimes even their survival.

Unicef In Latin America, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Recognizing that children are the segment of the population most vulnerable to mine-affected areas, UNICEF has focused its efforts in Central America to disseminating mine awareness information, assisting mine victims and preventing future mine incidents in Columbia, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

Colombia: 35 Years And Still Struggling, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The civil wars in Colombia have caused the deaths and disappearances of many innocent victims. Guerillas, insurgent groups and paramilitaries are all fighting to find peace, yet peace seems far away.

Landmines In Chile: Who Is At Risk?, Cisr Jmu

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Captain Patricio Undurraga of the Chilean Ministry of Defense discusses the mine problem in his country and describes present and future demining efforts of the Chilean army and navy.

Landmines:A Deadly Reminder Of Chile’S Military Past, Louise Egan

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Although the fighting is long over, a number of anti-personnel landmines still remain in Chile, posing a threat to civilians even today. With casualties increasing, the people are calling on the government to take action.

U.S. Humanitarian Demining In Latin America, Stacy L. Smith

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

The United States coordinates aid across Latin America through mine awareness and clearance operations. Channeled mainly through the OAS, U.S. funds support comprehensive mine action programs as needed in Central America.

Colombia, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Colombia

Ecuador, Country Profile

The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction

Ecuador