Tools of War

Abstract

Successful future operations depend on lessons learned from previous operations. This implies incremental improvements and review of each process. Tracking explosive hazards during Operation Iraqi Freedom is an example of improving operations by using lessons learned from Operation Desert Storm and the stability missions in Bosnia and Kosovo. Minefields and unexploded ordnance (UXO) are battlefield hazards that remain long after combat operations have ceased. Tracking explosive hazards continuously throughout operations over an area the size of California is extremely important. Equally significant is the establishment of a system to disseminate this information to subordinate commands daily. The system used by the Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC) engineer staff section (C7) was the Tactical Minefield Database (TMFDB) System prototype, which gave engineers a way to track and disseminate explosive hazards information on the battlefield. Using the TMFDB, the CFLCC tracked the location of all air and ground cluster munitions, as well as new and previously recorded minefields. The CFLCC emplaced no minefields during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA496246

Entities

People

  • John A. Klemunes Jr.
  • Trey Birdwell

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Counter IED
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Battlefields
  • Cluster Bombs
  • Cluster Munitions
  • Combat Operations
  • Command And Control
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Information Systems
  • Iraqi-War
  • Lessons Learned
  • Munitions
  • Unexploded Ammunition
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.