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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 10. 23rd May 1973

Construction Programmes

Construction Programmes

Special Forces detachment personnel may find it necessary to employ the technical skills and capabilities of engineer units of the host country forces for projects supporting environmental improvement programmes; however, the Special Forces detachment must adhere to fundamentals and avoid the more advanced techniques and procedures, particularly those that are not compatible with limitations of terrain. road nets, size of host forces, and mobility. Special Forces personnel will try to improvise when standard equipment is not available. The assessment and evaluation of units' and local villagers' capability and availability will dictate those projects to be undertaken. They may include —
a.General Construction Tasks: This may include rough carpentry; construction of drainage facilities with logs and stakes; construction of adobe buildings; rigging, and lashing techniques; and construction of small, water supply reservoirs.
b.Military Engineer Tasks: Here the emphasis will be on field fortifications and protection from direct weapons fire rather than blasts from heavy artillery and large explosives. Con siderations should be given to trench-type fortifications around fixed installations. Additionally, the Special Forces may assist in the preparation and use of—
1.Obstacles: Preferably antipersonnel obstacles as opposed to vehicular; installations of minefields and barbed-wire; construction of nuisance items such as heavy brush and impaling devices; construction of watch towers; and using natural obstacles to impede vehicular movement.
2.Booby traps. Improvised traps for warning devices; using selected items of clothing and equipment that would naturally appeal to an enemy; and antipersonnel mines employed in normal defensive positions.
3.Demolitions used to improve mobility of tracked vehicles by reducing steep banks, destruction of tunnels, and underground hiding places.
c.Specific Construction Projects:
1.Construction of bridges and ferries from natural materials.
2.Routes of communications which may include construction and improvement of roads, ditching, drainage, and temporary construction of air landing facilities.