FM 3-34.22 - Army Electronic Publications & Forms - U.S. Army

Appendix D
D-28. Area clearance missions consist of the following three phases (see FM 3-34.2 for more
information):
� Technical survey, including—
� Information gathering (detailed technical and topographical information of known or
suspected hazardous areas).
� Reconnaissance (visual or aerial, including the use of imagery).
� EH survey (defines the area in terms of size, described through measurements and
azimuths).
� Clearing, including—
� Planning (establish safe lanes, access lanes, and clearance boxes or lanes).
� Site layout (see figure D-4).
� Recognition (physical detection, verification, and technical-survey update).
� Clearance (see figure D-5, page D-14 and figure D-6, page D-14).
� Proofing.
� Final marking.
� Handover (conducting a walk-through of the area with the occupying unit leaders).
D-29. In the clearance phase, all EHs from a specified area to a specified depth are removed or destroyed.
The commander must be confident that cleared areas are safe for use. This requires management systems
and clearance procedures that are appropriate, effective, efficient, and safe. These procedures need to have
an internal audit mechanism to ensure that the end product is safe. The quality of clearance must be
acceptable to the using units and must be measurable and verifiable.
PLANNING
D-30. Before undertaking a new clearance task, plan where to establish safe and access lanes and the
location of clearance boxes (if using mine detection dogs) or clearance lanes. Safe lanes are prepared to
provide access for personnel and equipment to a box or area. They also provide safe start lines for the
clearing operation and may be used for CASEVAC. Safe lanes are 2 meters wide to allow safe passage for
personnel and equipment and to allow CASEVAC.
SITE LAYOUT
D-31. A safe clearing operation includes the proper design and layout of a clearance worksite by fencing
and marking hazardous areas, controlling the movement of Soldiers and visitors, enforcing safety
distances, and providing effective medical support. This requires the clearance unit to develop and
maintain appropriate local policies and procedures. (See figure D-4 for a sample layout of a clearance site.)
D-32. A clearance worksite is designed to—
� Provide a clearly visible separation of hazardous areas (blast and fragmentation zones, cleared
areas, useable areas, unknown areas in and around the worksite).
� Control the movement of Soldiers and visitors.
� Limit the number of Soldiers and visitors allowed in the blast and fragmentation zones.
� Take all reasonable precautions to exclude Soldiers and visitors from blast and fragmentation
zones during the controlled destruction of EHs or provide suitable protection inside buildings,
bunkers, or mobile structures.
� Include measures to prevent collateral damage to structures and the environment.
D-33. The effective control of a worksite is achieved by establishing and clearly marking a number of
areas for safety and administration. Such areas should be outside the relevant safety distances from all
contaminated areas, clearance activity, and explosive storage. The terrain determines the layout of an area
clearing operation.
D-12 FM 3-34.22 11 February 2009