Required Materials for Mechanical Means.

b. Selection of mechanical means for destruction of

equipment will depend on the situation. Refer to Section

Vlll for combining this method with others. Combining

Always bleed pressurized air from units

mechanical means with another method is usually more

such as flamethrowers, riot control agent

effective than either method alone.

dispersers, breathing apparatus pressure

c. Mechanical means of destroying equipment are

cylinders, or other compressed gas cylin-

effective as long as the same parts are destroyed on all

like equipment.

ders. Leave valves open after pressurized

d. Mechanical means are not effective for destroy-

air is bled from cylinders. Instant release

of pressurized air or gas can cause death

ing equipment made of heavy steel.

e. The mechanical method of destruction should be

or injury to personnel.

completed before using the fire method.

Always drain wet cell batteries before

using any method of destruction. Bat-

2-7. Required Materials for Mechanical Means.

teries contain corrosive electrolyte which

a. Materials required for destruction of equipment

can cause severe burns.

by mechanical means are sledge hammers, crowbars,

picks, axes, or other heavy tools.

Drain gasoline from fuel tanks into ap-

b. Tracked vehicles or cranes maybe used to crush

proved containers. Keep open flame

piles of small, breakable items.

away from destruction area. An unplan-

ned explosion or fire may cause death,

2-8. Procedures for Using Mechanical Means.

injury, or severe burns.

Do not allow DS2 decontaminating agent

Do not use mechanical means to destroy

solution to contact skin or eyes or to be

ammunition. An explosion or release of

exposed to flame. DS2 is corrosive and

hazardous materials may result, causing

combustible. Careless handling may

death or injury to personnel. Remove all

cause severe burns.

ammunition from weapons and return to

ammunition shipping containers.

a. If time prevents destruction of ail parts, smash

(or otherwise damage) high priority components first.

Render these components completely unusable. Com-

plete destruction of critical parts is more important than

light damage to all parts.

b. After critical parts, other parts should be

smashed.

c. If time permits, cut or chop protective masks,

Radiation hazard. Do not use mechani-

filters, electrical wiring,. nonmetal tubing, hoses, butyl-

cal means, demolition, fire, gunfire, or

rubber components, and fabrics.

dumping in water to destroy radioactive

d. Use tracked vehicles to crush large quantities of

sources. Exposure to radiation from the

lightweight, breakable items.

source may cause casualties or deaths.

Section III. DESTRUCTION BY DEMOLITION

2-9. Demolition.

and the conditions under which equipment will be de-

stroyed are command decisions. The decisions are

a. Destruction by demolition requires using explo-

made according to the tactical situation of each case.

sives and demolition equipment which may not normally

be authorized or available. The issue of these materials

2-2