Operation Tunnel: Confined-Space Operations Within the Tunnels of Chicago
Abstract
In the spring of 2003, the 863d Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy) commander decided to start analyzing hot-topic current events surrounding global military operations, focusing on urban environments. Taking into account the actions in Baghdad, urban terrorist actions, and the potential for future city-oriented engagements, he realized that construction engineers might be called on to conduct specific underground missions within the tunnels of major cities, which is reminiscent of the tunnel rats of the 1960s in Vietnam. However, there was no established military training on how to conduct effective underground operations. Being a United States Army Reserve (USAR) officer in a USAR battalion, he not only had civilian experience but also was supported by a battalion staff filled with civil engineers that were required by civilian and state industry to be trained on confined-space operations. With this knowledge and the drive to cover all the possible scenarios that a construction engineer might face, the commander gave the order for the battalion to initiate a mission training plan to create a platoon of engineers capable of conducting effective underground operations (with all the safety and combat considerations involved).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA596616
Entities
People
- David Noble
- James F. Allen
Organizations
- United States Army Engineer School