By Maj. Marie Richter
First published in
SFOR Informer#119, August 8, 2001

One of the largest minefields in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) was an appropriate meeting place for the Engineer and Demining Restructuring Working Group and the recently formed De-mining Co-ordination Committee.

Gradacac - The Committee is a working party specifically set up by British Lt. Col. David Jones, SFOR Chief of Countermines/Unexploded Ordnance Disposal (EOD), to bring together engineering chiefs and experts from all the BiH armies and de-mining organisations. The purpose is to enable them to put their heads together and improve communication and integrated de-mining.
Jones spoke of the importance of the meeting: "De-mining is a problem throughout BiH and we all face the same problems and constraints. By bringing together all the parties involved in de-mining we can learn from each other's experiences, discuss problems and possible solutions and improve communication. This is a positive step forward that can only bode well for the future."
Warm welcome to all
The day was hosted by the Chief Engineer of the Federation Army (VF) and began with a welcome by Col. Delic from the Federation Ministry of Defence who reiterated Jones’s views on the imporatance of integrated de-mining. The Mayor of Gradacac municipality (Federation, Canton 3) was present to express his appreciation for the work being carried out: "It is a pleasure to see representatives from the armies who once planted mines, now working in co-operation with each other to clear them. It is a great honour to welcome SFOR who are working hard to clear the mines for which they hold no responsibility."
De-mining process
The meeting began with a demonstration of the methods of de-mining that the VF-B (Bosniac component) uses. As engineering officer Maj. Saimon commentated, the de-mining teams of VF demonstrated the process they used to clear an area as quickly, efficiently and safely as they can. The known minefield was cordoned off with mine tape and a safety area imposed for 400metres in all directions before any work began. Then the area was divided into measured square sections for the tasks to be organised methodically. As the minefield in Gradacac is by a main road, all the traffic had to be stopped before they could begin. First they used a “Bulldog,” a manually operated heavy mechanical flail which has a dual purpose - to detonate or smash any mine in its path and to clear the area of obstructing foliage. The VF-B were also using “Bozena” flails, which were provided by SFOR.
Once the area had been mechanically prepared a team of manual de-miners wearing protective jackets and helmets cleared safe lanes that crossed the area. With metal detectors and manual prodding of the ground they looked for mines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). This is a time consuming job that requires trained men with patience to methodically and precisely search the area.
Once this process is complete a grid of boxes, each 10m square is clearly visible. These "dog boxes" are then the domain of highly trained de-mining dog teams and handlers. They work through the area, the dog using his increased sense of smell to detect any mines and UXOs. This requires dry conditions with temperatures of less than 30 degrees to be ideal for the dog to perform well. In the summer months this means an early start for the dogs and their handlers.
Only when all three parts of the process are complete do the de-miners remove the mine tape and declare the area "clear" to humanitarian standards.
New Initiative
This new initiative has provided an opportunity for all armies in BiH to put any differences aside and concentrate on the mammoth task ahead of making BiH a safe place to live. Demining will be a problem in BiH for many years and anything to improve the efficiency and co-operation of the teams can only be a good thing for all concerned.

Related link:
Engineering - Mines and De-mining
EAF professionalisation