FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The 105th Engineer Battalion of Raeford, North Carolina, set a new benchmark in their training on March 2, 2015. The unit became the first to fire a Mine-Clearing Line Charge in a training environment in nearly 10 years. The class itself was taught by members of the 151st Mobility Augmentation Company.
“With Afghanistan and Iraq we kind of got away from [traditional mine clearing]. It was more about route clearance.” Staff Sgt. James Paris explained about the 10 year hiatus.
The Mine-Clearing Line Charge produces a clear path 8 meters by 100 meters, and is used for conventional fused charges, which is why its use was not practical when dealing with Improvised Explosive Devices. Soldiers were given several hands on classes on how to mark the presence of a mine field, the proper way to hook up the Mine-Clearing Line Charge to the back of a vehicle, and how to aim and fire the device.
“The Mine-Clearing Line Charge was kind of like this myth that they told you about in AIT, you always heard about it, but hardly anyone had ever seen one.” Stated Sgt. Michael Yuzakewich after watching the first one go off.
The training event was considered by Paris to be a huge success in teaching a new generation of soldiers conventional engineering techniques.
Date Taken: | 03.02.2015 |
Date Posted: | 04.16.2015 10:44 |
Story ID: | 160161 |
Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
Web Views: | 66 |
Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NCNG Engineers train traditional mine clearing, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.