P-385-63 Range Safety Pamphlet Download

Operations Forces are training on a non- U.S. Army Special Operations Command installation, host senior commander concurrence is required. (3) Orient participants on the capabilities of the weapons used by other components in the CALFEX/CAX. (4) Designate individuals (such as observer-controllers) who are not part of the tactical or administrative scheme to monitor safety. These individuals will maintain visual contact with maneuvering elements and should have some means of signaling a cease-fire. Communications with the tactical operations center is mandatory. c. For battalion/squadron or larger exercises, a field grade commissioned officer will be appointed as the exercise OIC. d. For the Marine Corps, the commander will assess the proficiency and experience level of their unit in determining the quantity of observers-controllers (that is, ARSOs) required for the event. Other factors influencing this decision should include, but are not limited to, the scheme of maneuver, geometry of the attack, composition of forces, dispersion of forces, visibility, weather conditions, and fatigue. Marine Corps observers-controllers report to the exercise RSO, and will have training in local range safety procedures and SDZ employment. 17–3. Exercise planning a. Units will conduct live-fire exercises in support of properly identified and trained-to-standards mission essential task list (METL) tasks. Tactics, techniques, and procedures employed during the live-fire exercises must be consistent with the standards published in the applicable Army Training and Leader Development Strategy mission training plan and/or battle drills. Command approval from the next higher command is required for any live-fire exercise not consistent with the unit’s established METL. b. Detailed written plans will be developed between the RMA (Army), RCO (Marine Corps) and the exercise OIC. It will require submission of formal risk management documentation prior to execution. For the Army, if residual risk is extremely high, approval is required by the ACOM/ASCC/DRU commander or designated official in accordance with risk decision authority (DA Pam 385–30). The garrison safety manager will review the completed plan and risk management documentation that will include: (1) A detailed plan of maneuver and fire support. (2) A list of weapons, AE (for example, ammunition, pyrotechnics, or smokes), and chemicals to be used. (3) Unit control measures, including means of communication. (4) Terrain feature and facilities required. (5) Emergency action plans. Include, as appropriate, the need for emergency equipment such as litters or fire extinguishers, prepositioning of emergency responders, and coordination with medical treatment facilities. c. Impact distance and limits of advance are as follows: (1) The distances to which unprotected troops can safely move near the impact are (that is, Areas A, B and C) indicated in the chapter on each weapon or weapons system. (2) To determine how close unprotected troops may maneuver to the target area, an impact area and a danger zone must be established for each target area used. Danger zones must be computed and issued to leaders and safety personnel before starting the exercise. When several types of weapons are being fired into one target area, the combined total danger zone (composite danger zone) will govern. These restrictions normally should not preclude unit commanders from selecting tactically sound supporting weapon positions for their scheme of maneuver, provided the positions and directions of fire do not exceed the total range area available for the exercise. When feasible, leaders and safety personnel will be shown the physical limits of the danger zone by ground survey. (3) The short limit of the impact area may be moved in the direction of the target area by definite pre-arrangement to permit forward movement of troops. (4) Demolitions may be used during live-fire exercises according to chapter 15. (5) Selection of weapon positions will be the responsibility of unit leaders taking part in the exercise. (6) Terrain will be used to enhance safety features when it is being selected for live-fire exercises involving overhead and/or flanking fire. d. During live-fire exercises planning, the risk management process must address possible hazards from friendly fire and control measures to reduce or eliminate them, while executing the METL task to published standards. e. A review of lessons learned may provide beneficial information to identify and mitigate risks (for example, U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center Web site, Army Lessons Learned Web site). 17–4. Firing precautions a. Overhead fire of personnel may be authorized, provided they have positive protection from the munitions being fired. Protected positions for personnel and vehicles are discussed in ATP 3–37.34. b. The senior commander (Army)/installation commander (Marine Corps) (or designated representative) can author- ize overhead fire above unprotected personnel except for specifically prohibited weapon systems. c. Weapons specifically authorized for overhead fire of unprotected personnel are: (1) All artillery cannon firing indirect fire. See chapter 10 for safety precautions. 209 DA PAM 385–63 • 16 April 2014