Preparation for Storage or Shipment

ARMY TM 10-1670-279-23&P AIR FORCE T.O. 13C5-27-2 NAVY NAVAIR 13-1-28 a. General. (1) Objective. Methods of destruction used to inflict damage on air delivery platforms should make it impossible to restore equipment to a usable condition in a combat zone by either repair or cannibalization. (2) Authority. Destruction of air delivery equipment that is in imminent danger of capture by an enemy is a command decision that must be made by a battalion or higher commander or the equivalent. (3) Implementation plan. All units which possess air delivery equipment should have a plan for the implementation of destruction procedures. (4) Training. All personnel who use or perform such functions as rigging, packing, maintenance, or storage of air delivery equipment should receive thorough training on air delivery equipment destruction procedures and methods. The destruction methods demonstrated during training should be simulated. Upon completion of training, all applicable personnel should be thoroughly familiar with air delivery equipment destruction methods and be capable of performing destruction without immediate reference to any publication. (5) Specific methods. Specific methods of destroying Army materiel to prevent enemy use shall be by mechanical means, fire or by use of natural surroundings. b. Destruction by Mechanical Means. Air delivery equipment metal assemblies, parts, and packing aids shall be destroyed using hammers, bolt cutters, files, hacksaws, drills, screwdrivers, crowbars, or other similar devices to smash, break, bend or cut. WARNING Exercise extreme care when using petroleum products to destroy equipment by fire, as severe burns or death could result. c. Destruction By Fire. Items that can be destroyed by fire shall be burned. The destruction of equipment by use of fire is an effective method of destroying low-melting-point metal items (e.g., side rails, threaded portions of nuts and bolts, and platform panels.) However, mechanical destruction should be completed first, whenever possible, before initiating destruction by fire. When items to be destroyed are made of metal, textile materials (or some comparable low combustible material) should be packed under and around the items, then soaked with a flammable petroleum product and ignited. Proper concentration of equipment which is suitable for burning will provide a hotter and more destructive fire. d. Destruction By Use of Natural Surroundings. Small vital parts of assemblies which are easily accessible may be disposed of as follows: Disposal or denial of equipment to an enemy may be accomplished through use of natural surroundings. Accessible vital parts of assemblies may be removed and scattered through dense foliage, buried in dirt or sand, or thrown into a lake, stream, or other body of water. Total submersion of equipment in a body of water will provide water damage as well as concealment. Salt water will inflict extensive damage to air delivery equipment. 1-4. Preparation for Storage or Shipment. For storage, refer to TM 10-1670-201-21 T.O. 13C-1-41/NAVAIR 13-1- 17, and Chapter 2, Section VII of this manual. 1-3