American Mines Are The Friend Of American Infantryman

Posted on August 4, 2006

Senators Patrick Leahy and Arlen Specter have introduced legislation that will hurt the ability of US Infantryman to survive on the modern battlefield. They are no friend of the US Infantryman who has always been careful in the use of mines to prevent civilian casualties:

“The U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines, a coalition of 500 U.S.- based religious, community, and human rights organizations, today welcomed the introduction of the Victim-activated Landmine Abolition Act of 2006. This important legislation, introduced by Senators Patrick Leahy (VT), Arlen Specter (PA), and others, would block Pentagon efforts to develop and produce the first new U.S. victim-activated antipersonnel landmines in nearly a decade.”

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4 Responses to “American Mines Are The Friend Of American Infantryman”

kerwin_brown on August 5th, 2006 2:14 am

My problem is conceiving of how useful a mine will be in the type of warfare we are fighting. It sounds like it will aid our enemies more as they can use them instead of IED’s

I just don’t see a need to use or stockpile them.
sdmoderate on August 5th, 2006 7:48 am

Please explain how our infantry will be able to be careful in mine placement considering that the wars we are fighting and will continue to fight will be waged amongst civilian populations? It’s not like past wars where there was a defined front line where these mines could be placed.

Using landmines has long since become an outdated form of warfare and using them in current situations just invites civilian casualties.
Oak Leaf on August 5th, 2006 11:22 am

I am writing as an Infantryman in the US Army.

Anti-personnel land mines are an excellent method to protect a base from infiltration. They save American Soldiers. They are usually not used in the offense. They are a defensive weapon.

You mark the area off with warning signs (in local language) so civilians and the enemy can understand that they are entering an area with land mines.

Mine emplacement is carfully mapped so that we may remove the mines after we are done. We know where they are and we remove them.
AShiningCity on August 5th, 2006 7:14 pm

Thank you for explaining that Oak Leaf. In addition, thank you for serving in our Army.

My only fear was that the mines are not picked up and removed after the conflict. I have heard that they can be so cheaply made that thousands can be put down in a short period of time.

But yes, if the mines help protect the American bases then they are a good thing. As long as they are picked up after the conflict.