OPERACIONES CON SUCESOS

4-48. Early warning simulators generate different effects upon initiation, but are used the same way; they are activated by triggering trip wires attached to the igniter cords.

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WARNING

Handheld communication signals must be inspected before use and properly secured to avoid serious injury.

Initial Inspection

CAUTION

During storage, keep boxes sealed. Duds or improper functioning could occur if exposed to moisture for long periods of time. Open just before use.

4-49. When in bulk, communication signals are secured in shipping containers (Figure 4-11). Personnel should inspect the shipping container upon receipt. Shipping containers that are damaged should not be opened; they should be returned to the ASP or disposed of using the methods outlined in the unit SOP.

4-50. Within the shipping container are barrier bags. Upon removing the sealed barrier bags from the shipping container (Figure 4-12), personnel should inspect each barrier bag and identify any of the following discrepancies:

z The barrier bag has been damaged.

z The seal on the barrier bag shows signs of tampering.

Figure 4-12. Early warning simulator shipping container and barrier bags.

4-51. Inside the barrier bags are cardboard shipping boxes. Upon removing the cardboard shipping boxes from the sealed barrier bags (Figure 4-13), personnel should inspect each shipping box and identify any of the following discrepancies:

z The shipping box has been damaged.

z The shipping box shows signs of tampering.

Figure 4-13. Early warning simulator cardboard shipping box.

4-52. Then, personnel should remove the early warning simulator from the container. Once the signal has been removed from the container (Figure 4-14), personnel should inspect the signal and identify any of the following discrepancies:

z Holes are visible in the body.

z The seal securing the cap is broken.

z The mounting bracket is damaged.

z The safety clip is damaged or not present.

Figure 4-14. Early warning simulator removed from the cardboard shipping box.

NOTE: If any of the discrepancies are found upon receipt of newly issued early warning simulators, personnel should return the simulator and shipping containers to the issuing person or dispose of it in accordance with the unit SOP.

Before Storing

4-53. Before securing early warning simulators, personnel should take the following safety precautions:

z Ensure the body is not bent or punctured.

z The seal securing the cap is not broken.

z The safety clip is present and not damaged.

z All other kit components (Figure 4-15) are present.

Figure 4-15. Kit components.

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4-54. Personnel should carry early warning simulators in accordance with the unit SOP. When carrying early warning simulators, personnel should adhere to the following guidelines:

z Ensure that the early warning simulator is placed in a secure, dry area.

CAUTION

Duds or improper functioning could occur if exposed to moisture for long periods of time. Open just before use.

z Do not put adhesive tape around any portion of the early warning simulator during storage.

WARNING

Do not bend, tamper, modify or otherwise alter a trip flare. Do not tape any portion of the trip flare during storage.

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DANGER

EARLY WARNING SIMULATORS MUST BE MOUNTED; DO NOT ACTIVATE THEM BY HAND. EARLY WARNING SIMULATORS WILL IMMEDIATELY ACTIVATE.

EARLY WARNING SIMULATORS WILL SERIOUSLY INJURE PERSONNEL WITHIN 2 FEET.

NEVER OPEN A SIMULATOR; THE PHOTOFLASH POWDER IS EXTREMELY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLASH IGNITION BY EVEN A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF FRICTION.

WARNINGS

Early warning simulators must not be activated in loose gravel, sticks, or other materials that could become projectiles, nor should they be thrown into dry leaves, grass, or other flammable materials. Dry grass or leaves within 3 feet may become ignited.

DO NOT tape or wire early warning simulators to any surface. Use nails.

DO NOT remove the simulator cap before use.

NOTE: There is a GTA included in the early warning simulator’s cardboard shipping box that gives detailed instructions for installing the simulator. The same illustrative instructions may also be found in TM 9-1370-207-10.

4-55. The instructions included with the early warning simulator show how to install the simulator on a tree.

This is just one technique of installing the early warning simulator.

4-56. To install an early warning simulator—

(1) Select two objects, such as trees or stakes, not more than 20 feet apart.

(2) About 6 inches above the ground, drive a large nail into one object.

(3) Drive a staple about 2 inches above and to the right of the nail.

(4) Drive a second staple into the object about 20 inches above the first staple.

(5) Drive a large nail 1 inch below the top staple.

NOTE: This will be used to temporarily hold the spring on the lower staple.

(6) Extend the spring to the nail driven in during Step 5.

(7) Make a 6-inch loop in one end of the tripwire, and tie it with a double-knot. Thread the loop down through the top staple, and attach to the upper end of the spring only.

(8) Maintain tension on the tripwire, and run it down the object, under the bottom nail, and toward the second object.

(9) Drive a staple into the second object at the lowest point that will allow free travel of the tripwire.

(10) Maintain tension on the tripwire, and tie the wire to a large nail, just below its head. Wedge the nail between the staple and the object to ensure a taut and secure tripwire.

(11) Carefully unhook the extended spring from the temporary nail. The spring should keep the wire taut.

(12) Remove the tape securing the cap. Remove the cap from the simulator, and allow the pull cord to hand freely.

(13) Nail the simulator about 4 inches above the top of the spring.

(14) Leave 1 or 2 inches of slack in dangling cord, and tie the cord to the end of the spring that is fastened to the tripwire.

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4-57. There is no unit level maintenance for the early warning simulators. Turn in unused items to ammunition support area as soon as possible, or dispose of in accordance with unit SOP. Provide as much protection for these items by repacking in original containers, if available, or equivalent improvised packaging.

z All repacking should be tightly wrapped, clearly marked and waterproof.

z Avoid exposure to moisture and rough physical contact.

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4-58. Selection of the method of destruction requires imagination and resourcefulness in the utilization of the facilities at hand under the existing conditions. In general, destruction of handheld signals can be accomplished most effectively by burning or firing, or a combination of these methods.