<p>Den här uppsatsen är skriven inom ramen för ämnet <em>Krigsvetenskap</em> under författarens studier på <em>Yrkesofficersprogrammet</em> 2006-2009 till arméteknisk officer. I <em>Ammunitions- och minröjning i modern konflikt</em> ges läsaren genom deskriptiv metod en exposé över ammunitions- och minröjningens grunder, historia och nutid. Uppsatsens generella syften är att avhandla problematik som svenska ammunitions- och minröjare i sitt yrkesutövande idag kan ställas inför. Och hur delar av den tekniska organisationen och teknisk utrustning för detektion, lokalisering och klassificering av minor, Explosive remnants of war (ERW), Improvised explosive device (IED) och försåt kan bidra till att lösa denna problematik. Författaren genomför utifrån sina intervjuer och litteraturstudier prediktioner av den kommande utvecklingen på området. Prediktionerna innefattar bland annat tydligare teknisk stödorganisation och multisensorplattformar för detektion, lokalisering och klassificering av minor, ERW och IED. I texten redovisas viss forskning från Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut (FOI) och visst arbete vid Försvarets materielverk (FMV), Totalförsvarets ammunitions- och minröjningscentrum (SWEDEC).</p> / <p>This essay is written in the course of <em>War science</em> during the author’s studies to become an Officer in the technical corps, in the Swedish armed forces. Due to the descriptive method in <em>Explosive Ordnance Disposal and demining in modern conflict </em>the reader gets an exposé of the basics, history, and present time features for the Swedish EOD- and Demining personnel. The main purpose with this essay is to discuss the problems that Swedish Explosive ordnance clearance (EOC) personnel might encounter in their current daily service. The opportunities for parts of the supporting technical corps and the technical equipment for detecting, locating and classifying mines, Explosive remnants of war (ERW), Improvised explosive device (IED) and booby-traps to be at hand in the process of solving these problems are also discussed. From interviews and literature studies the author conducts predictions of the development in the subject area. The predictions contains amongst others a more understandable supporting technical corps and multi-sensing-platforms for detecting, locating and classifying mines, ERW, IED and booby-traps. Some of the research that the Swedish defence research agency (FOI), the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) and the Swedish EOD- and Demining Centre (SWEDEC) have produced is presented in the essay.</p>

Den här uppsatsen är skriven inom ramen för ämnet Krigsvetenskap under författarens studier på Yrkesofficersprogrammet 2006-2009 till arméteknisk officer. I Ammunitions- och minröjning i modern konflikt ges läsaren genom deskriptiv metod en exposé över ammunitions- och minröjningens grunder, historia och nutid. Uppsatsens generella syften är att avhandla problematik som svenska ammunitions- och minröjare i sitt yrkesutövande idag kan ställas inför. Och hur delar av den tekniska organisationen och teknisk utrustning för detektion, lokalisering och klassificering av minor, Explosive remnants of war (ERW), Improvised explosive device (IED) och försåt kan bidra till att lösa denna problematik. Författaren genomför utifrån sina intervjuer och litteraturstudier prediktioner av den kommande utvecklingen på området. Prediktionerna innefattar bland annat tydligare teknisk stödorganisation och multisensorplattformar för detektion, lokalisering och klassificering av minor, ERW och IED. I texten redovisas viss forskning från Totalförsvarets forskningsinstitut (FOI) och visst arbete vid Försvarets materielverk (FMV), Totalförsvarets ammunitions- och minröjningscentrum (SWEDEC). / This essay is written in the course of War science during the author’s studies to become an Officer in the technical corps, in the Swedish armed forces. Due to the descriptive method in Explosive Ordnance Disposal and demining in modern conflict the reader gets an exposé of the basics, history, and present time features for the Swedish EOD- and Demining personnel. The main purpose with this essay is to discuss the problems that Swedish Explosive ordnance clearance (EOC) personnel might encounter in their current daily service. The opportunities for parts of the supporting technical corps and the technical equipment for detecting, locating and classifying mines, Explosive remnants of war (ERW), Improvised explosive device (IED) and booby-traps to be at hand in the process of solving these problems are also discussed. From interviews and literature studies the author conducts predictions of the development in the subject area. The predictions contains amongst others a more understandable supporting technical corps and multi-sensing-platforms for detecting, locating and classifying mines, ERW, IED and booby-traps. Some of the research that the Swedish defence research agency (FOI), the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) and the Swedish EOD- and Demining Centre (SWEDEC) have produced is presented in the essay.

Introdução: O gênero Acinetobacter representa um importante patógeno relacionado a infecções hospitalares, principalmente, à pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAV). O aumento de isolados de Acinetobacter baumannii resistentes aos carbapenêmicos (ABRC) representa um problema mundial, pois limita drasticamente as opções terapêuticas. A produção da carbapenamase OXA-23, uma β-lactamase da classe D de Ambler, representa o principal mecanismo responsável por esta resistência em nosso país. Objetivo: O presente estudo tem como objetivo padronizar a técnica de PCR em tempo real (qPCR) para a detecção do gene blaOXA-23 diretamente de aspirados traqueais (ATs) de pacientes com suspeita de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAV) de unidades de tratamento intensivo (UTIs). Métodos e resultados: O DNA das amostras de ATs coletadas de pacientes em ventilação mecânica foi analisado pela técnica de qPCR, utilizando o SYBR green, para a detecção do gene blaOXA-23. Dentre os 20 ATs analisados, ABRC foi isolado em 10, A. baumannii sensível aos carbapemêmicos (ABSC) em 3 e 7 foram negativos na culura bacteriológica. O gene blaOXA-23 foi detectado tanto na colônia quanto no AT em 8 das 10 amostras de ABRC. Em uma amostra não houve detecção do gene por qPCR em nenhum dos materiais e em outra amostra houve detecção só no AT. Dos ABSC, em duas amostras não houve detecção do gene na colônia e no AT enquanto que em uma amostra o gene foi detectado somente no AT. Em nenhuma das amostras de ATs negativas na cultura foi detectado o gene. Conclusão: O estudo sugere que a técnica qPCR pode ser aplicada para a detecção do gene blaoxa-23 diretamente de amostras de AT, reduzindo assim, o tempo para o início de uma terpia antimicrobiana adequada e melhorando, consequentemente, o desfecho clínico deste pacientes. / Background: The genus Acinetobacter is an important pathogen associated with nosocomial infections mainly ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The increasing of carbapenemresistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) isolates is a worldwide concern since it limits drastically the range of therapeutic alternatives. The OXA-23 producing, a carbapenemhydrolysing class D β-lactamase, is the major mechanism responsible for CRAB in our country. Objective: The study objective is to develop a real time PCR (qPCR) to detect the Acinetobacter baumannii blaOXA-23 gene directly in endotracheal aspirate (ETA) of patients under mechanical ventilation, with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Methods and Results: DNA extracted from ETA samples from patients under mechanical ventilation was analyzed by qPCR, using SYBR green, for the presence of blaOXA-23 gene. Among the 20 ETAs examined, CRAB isolates were recovered in 10 quantitative cultures; carbapenem-susceptible A. baumannii (CSAB) in 3 and 7 cultures were negative to A. baumanni. Of the 10 CRAB, 8 were positive for blaOXA-23 on both the colony and ETA. In one blaOXA-23 qPCR was negative in colony and directly from ETA, while the other showed a qPCR negative result in the colony and positive in the ETA. In 3 CSAB, 2 samples showed negative results in colony and ETA and one showed a blaOXA-23 positive result only from the ETA. None of the 7 negative ETAs were positive for blaOXA-23 gene in the qPCR of the ETA. Conclusion: Our study suggests that qPCR can be applied to detect the presence of blaOXA-23 gene directly from ETAs reducing the time to an earlier initiation of appropriate therapy improving, consequently, the clinical outcomes for these patients.

Introdução: O gênero Acinetobacter representa um importante patógeno relacionado a infecções hospitalares, principalmente, à pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAV). O aumento de isolados de Acinetobacter baumannii resistentes aos carbapenêmicos (ABRC) representa um problema mundial, pois limita drasticamente as opções terapêuticas. A produção da carbapenamase OXA-23, uma β-lactamase da classe D de Ambler, representa o principal mecanismo responsável por esta resistência em nosso país. Objetivo: O presente estudo tem como objetivo padronizar a técnica de PCR em tempo real (qPCR) para a detecção do gene blaOXA-23 diretamente de aspirados traqueais (ATs) de pacientes com suspeita de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAV) de unidades de tratamento intensivo (UTIs). Métodos e resultados: O DNA das amostras de ATs coletadas de pacientes em ventilação mecânica foi analisado pela técnica de qPCR, utilizando o SYBR green, para a detecção do gene blaOXA-23. Dentre os 20 ATs analisados, ABRC foi isolado em 10, A. baumannii sensível aos carbapemêmicos (ABSC) em 3 e 7 foram negativos na culura bacteriológica. O gene blaOXA-23 foi detectado tanto na colônia quanto no AT em 8 das 10 amostras de ABRC. Em uma amostra não houve detecção do gene por qPCR em nenhum dos materiais e em outra amostra houve detecção só no AT. Dos ABSC, em duas amostras não houve detecção do gene na colônia e no AT enquanto que em uma amostra o gene foi detectado somente no AT. Em nenhuma das amostras de ATs negativas na cultura foi detectado o gene. Conclusão: O estudo sugere que a técnica qPCR pode ser aplicada para a detecção do gene blaoxa-23 diretamente de amostras de AT, reduzindo assim, o tempo para o início de uma terpia antimicrobiana adequada e melhorando, consequentemente, o desfecho clínico deste pacientes. / Background: The genus Acinetobacter is an important pathogen associated with nosocomial infections mainly ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The increasing of carbapenemresistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) isolates is a worldwide concern since it limits drastically the range of therapeutic alternatives. The OXA-23 producing, a carbapenemhydrolysing class D β-lactamase, is the major mechanism responsible for CRAB in our country. Objective: The study objective is to develop a real time PCR (qPCR) to detect the Acinetobacter baumannii blaOXA-23 gene directly in endotracheal aspirate (ETA) of patients under mechanical ventilation, with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Methods and Results: DNA extracted from ETA samples from patients under mechanical ventilation was analyzed by qPCR, using SYBR green, for the presence of blaOXA-23 gene. Among the 20 ETAs examined, CRAB isolates were recovered in 10 quantitative cultures; carbapenem-susceptible A. baumannii (CSAB) in 3 and 7 cultures were negative to A. baumanni. Of the 10 CRAB, 8 were positive for blaOXA-23 on both the colony and ETA. In one blaOXA-23 qPCR was negative in colony and directly from ETA, while the other showed a qPCR negative result in the colony and positive in the ETA. In 3 CSAB, 2 samples showed negative results in colony and ETA and one showed a blaOXA-23 positive result only from the ETA. None of the 7 negative ETAs were positive for blaOXA-23 gene in the qPCR of the ETA. Conclusion: Our study suggests that qPCR can be applied to detect the presence of blaOXA-23 gene directly from ETAs reducing the time to an earlier initiation of appropriate therapy improving, consequently, the clinical outcomes for these patients.

Introdução: O gênero Acinetobacter representa um importante patógeno relacionado a infecções hospitalares, principalmente, à pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAV). O aumento de isolados de Acinetobacter baumannii resistentes aos carbapenêmicos (ABRC) representa um problema mundial, pois limita drasticamente as opções terapêuticas. A produção da carbapenamase OXA-23, uma β-lactamase da classe D de Ambler, representa o principal mecanismo responsável por esta resistência em nosso país. Objetivo: O presente estudo tem como objetivo padronizar a técnica de PCR em tempo real (qPCR) para a detecção do gene blaOXA-23 diretamente de aspirados traqueais (ATs) de pacientes com suspeita de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAV) de unidades de tratamento intensivo (UTIs). Métodos e resultados: O DNA das amostras de ATs coletadas de pacientes em ventilação mecânica foi analisado pela técnica de qPCR, utilizando o SYBR green, para a detecção do gene blaOXA-23. Dentre os 20 ATs analisados, ABRC foi isolado em 10, A. baumannii sensível aos carbapemêmicos (ABSC) em 3 e 7 foram negativos na culura bacteriológica. O gene blaOXA-23 foi detectado tanto na colônia quanto no AT em 8 das 10 amostras de ABRC. Em uma amostra não houve detecção do gene por qPCR em nenhum dos materiais e em outra amostra houve detecção só no AT. Dos ABSC, em duas amostras não houve detecção do gene na colônia e no AT enquanto que em uma amostra o gene foi detectado somente no AT. Em nenhuma das amostras de ATs negativas na cultura foi detectado o gene. Conclusão: O estudo sugere que a técnica qPCR pode ser aplicada para a detecção do gene blaoxa-23 diretamente de amostras de AT, reduzindo assim, o tempo para o início de uma terpia antimicrobiana adequada e melhorando, consequentemente, o desfecho clínico deste pacientes. / Background: The genus Acinetobacter is an important pathogen associated with nosocomial infections mainly ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The increasing of carbapenemresistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) isolates is a worldwide concern since it limits drastically the range of therapeutic alternatives. The OXA-23 producing, a carbapenemhydrolysing class D β-lactamase, is the major mechanism responsible for CRAB in our country. Objective: The study objective is to develop a real time PCR (qPCR) to detect the Acinetobacter baumannii blaOXA-23 gene directly in endotracheal aspirate (ETA) of patients under mechanical ventilation, with suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Methods and Results: DNA extracted from ETA samples from patients under mechanical ventilation was analyzed by qPCR, using SYBR green, for the presence of blaOXA-23 gene. Among the 20 ETAs examined, CRAB isolates were recovered in 10 quantitative cultures; carbapenem-susceptible A. baumannii (CSAB) in 3 and 7 cultures were negative to A. baumanni. Of the 10 CRAB, 8 were positive for blaOXA-23 on both the colony and ETA. In one blaOXA-23 qPCR was negative in colony and directly from ETA, while the other showed a qPCR negative result in the colony and positive in the ETA. In 3 CSAB, 2 samples showed negative results in colony and ETA and one showed a blaOXA-23 positive result only from the ETA. None of the 7 negative ETAs were positive for blaOXA-23 gene in the qPCR of the ETA. Conclusion: Our study suggests that qPCR can be applied to detect the presence of blaOXA-23 gene directly from ETAs reducing the time to an earlier initiation of appropriate therapy improving, consequently, the clinical outcomes for these patients.

Depuis plus de 40 ans des chimistes se sont intéressés à l’extraction, à l’activité biologique et à la synthèse de l’homoharringtonine, un ester naturel de la céphalotaxine, qui est un puissant antileucémique, en vue de son utilisation thérapeutique, en particulier contre les leucémies résistantes aux inhibiteurs de tyrosine kinase. Ces alcaloïdes sont extraits de Cephalotaxus, des conifères originaires du sud de la Chine à croissance extrêmement lente et menacés d’extinction, la synthèse de ces alcaloïdes est nécessaire pour une utilisation thérapeutique.L’objectif de ce travail consiste à développer une synthèse concise de la (-)-céphalotaxine 1, afin de palier notamment le problème de sa pureté énantiomérique variable lorsqu’elle est issue de la matière première végétale. La stratégie développée dans ce travail nécessite d’effectuer un couplage de Heck avec des substrats désactivés et encombrés. Les résultats préliminaires ayant été décevants, le première objectif à consisté à développer l’utilisation de la méthode des plans d’expérience en synthèse totale, car l’efficacité de chaque étape a une répercussion importante sur le rendement en produit final. Dans une première partie, l’application d’un plan d’expériences a permis de pallier ce problème par une étude modèle pour déterminer les paramètres importants pour effectuer une telle réaction efficacement. Dans une deuxième partie, nous avons synthétisé les précurseurs et réalisé le couplage de Heck en vue de l’accès à un précurseur AC comportant tous les atomes de carbone du squelette de la céphalotaxine et les fonctionnalités requises pour sa cyclisation ultérieure en tétracycle ABCD. Enfin, nous avons fonctionnalisé les produits de Heck en position C3 par différents méthodes. Ces résultats ont permis de valider notre stratégie de synthèse. / For more than 40 years the chemists were interested in the extraction, in the biological activity and in the synthesis of the homoharringtonine, a natural ester of cephalotaxine, which is a powerful antileukemic compound of therapeutic use, in particular against the leukaemia resistant to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. These alkaloids are extracted from Cephalotaxus, conifers native of the South of China with extremely slow growth. The objective of this work thus consisted in developing a concise synthesis of the cephalotaxine, to limit the recourse to the endangered vegetable resource The developed strategy requires an intermolecular Heck-coupling of electronically and sterically deactivated demanding substrates. The preliminary results having been disappointing, the first objective consisted in developing the use of the model of the experimental design in total synthesis because the classic methodology of variation of a single parameter at the same time said of "one by one" was ineffective. The application of a complete factorial design overcomes this problem by a model study, allowing to determine the optimized parameters to make this coupling reaction effective. We then synthesized the precursors from naturally abundant safrol and 2,3-butanedione then realized the Heck coupling with the aim of the access to the precursor AC containing all the atoms of carbon of cephalotaxine and the features required for its later cyclization in pyrrolobenzazepine ABC fragment. The o-iodized homopiperonylic alcohol led in certain conditions to an isochromane through a tandem Heck-oxa-Michael reaction. Finally, we have functionalized the Heck and hydro-arylation products obtained with 69-70 % yield in position C3 by different methods allowing us to validate our strategy to access these alkaloids.

The emergence of β-lactamase-mediated antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats in modern times. Combined with the discovery void of new forms of antibiotics, this sets the course toward a future where the efficacy of present-day health care will be jeopardized. To hinder the spread of β-lactamase-mediated antibiotic resistance, the development of the drug class β-lactamase inhibitors has been prioritized. The foremost candidate for development of this drug class, that has wide-spectrum inhibition of β-lactamases, is the clinically available avibactam of the diazabicyclooctane-scaffold (i.e., DBO-scaffold). However, the clinical applications of this inhibitor have been limited against one of the more rapidly spreading β-lactamases; OXA-48. In order to bolster the drug development of β-lactamase inhibitors of the DBO-scaffold, with good inhibitory activity toward OXA-48, DBO-ligands with different structure elements were analyzed for stability of the Michaelis Complex in the OXA-48 binding site using molecular dynamic simulations. The results indicate that elongation of the chain to the anionic group of the ligand combined with the addition of a methyl group to the DBO-ring was stabilizing for the productive position between the backbone hydrogens of Y211 and S70. The binding affinity was also estimated using the Linear Interaction Energy method, and an offset parameter of γ ≈ -19 kcal/mol was found and could represent the entropic differences of a flexible ligand-protein system. The results of this study may also indicate that the ligand stability of the Michaelis Complex is of minor consequence to the inhibition mechanism as a whole compared to the reaction rate.

<p>I dagens konfliktområden är förekomsten av minor och oexploderad ammunition(OXA) ett vanligt förekommande problem för civilbefolkning samt de militära enheter som arbetar i området för att skapa stabilitet och säkerhet. Den här uppsatsen avhandlar möjligheten att lösa eventuella problem som har att göra med förekomsten av minor och OXA i ett missionsområde utan tillgång till stödresurser i form av min- och ammunitionsröjningsteam. Uppsatsens syfte är att undersöka om det är möjligt att tillföra minröjningskompetens på gruppnivå utan att tappa ursprunglig kompetens och fokus från huvudtjänsten. Uppsatsen tar även upp vilken lägsta nivå av utbildning som krävs för att kunna röja mineringar och OXA, samt hur man når upp till det målet. Uppsatsens frågeställning har varit: Går det att inom ramen för Jägarbataljon 09 utbilda en soldat som besitter kompetensen att kunna identifiera och röja mineringar samt OXA? Om ja, vilken utrustning bör tillföras? Mina slutsatser är att det är praktiskt möjligt genom att tillföra en min- och amröjledare på bataljons nivå. Min- och amröjledaren kan i sin tur utbilda och ge soldaterna den reella kompetens som behövs på enbart fyra veckor, ca 130h stimmar. Utbildningen som krävs är grundkursen Minröjning Manuella Metoder(MMM). För att fullt ut kunna nyttja förmågan krävs det att gruppen tillförs viss ammunitionsröjningsutrustning, bland annat extra tänd- och sprängmedel. Effekten man vinner på tillförsel av minröjningskompetensen är kopplat mot förbandets förmåga till okonventionellt uppträdande samt möjligheterna att ta ytterligare steg innanför motståndarens beslutscykel.</p> / <p>In today’s conflict areas the remnants of war, mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) is a common problem for the civilian population. These remnants also pose a great threat for the military units who work in the area to create peace, stability and security for the people. The purpose of this essay is to discover if and how it is possible to solve eventual problems associated with remnants of war in conflict areas, without the support of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams. My research has explored if it is possible to implement mine clearance and ammunition disposal on a squad without loosing additional competence and focus from the squad’s main field of service. Additional research has been carried out to ascertain the lowest level of competence necessary to work within the field of mine clearance and ammunition disposal, and what education is needed. My thesis aims to answer, if it is possible within the frame of the Army Ranger Battalion 09, to educate a soldier on a squad to have the ability and competence to do work within the field of mine clearance and ammunition disposal? If yes, what additional equipment should be added to the squad, to be able to perform that task? My conclusion is that it is possible to achieve by adding a mine clearance and ammunition disposal leader to the Battalion staff who can educate, train and give the soldiers the proper education in four weeks (approximately 130h). The education required to achieve this goal is the course, Mine clearance Manuel Methods (MMM). To use this ability it is necessary to equip the group with some additional and specific disposal-equipment (i.e. extra explosives.) The main effort gained from implementing this ability on a ranger squad is the Ranger Battalion’s overall ability to operate and appear in unexpected areas, and to get inside the enemy’s OODA-LOOP.</p>

I dagens konfliktområden är förekomsten av minor och oexploderad ammunition(OXA) ett vanligt förekommande problem för civilbefolkning samt de militära enheter som arbetar i området för att skapa stabilitet och säkerhet. Den här uppsatsen avhandlar möjligheten att lösa eventuella problem som har att göra med förekomsten av minor och OXA i ett missionsområde utan tillgång till stödresurser i form av min- och ammunitionsröjningsteam. Uppsatsens syfte är att undersöka om det är möjligt att tillföra minröjningskompetens på gruppnivå utan att tappa ursprunglig kompetens och fokus från huvudtjänsten. Uppsatsen tar även upp vilken lägsta nivå av utbildning som krävs för att kunna röja mineringar och OXA, samt hur man når upp till det målet. Uppsatsens frågeställning har varit: Går det att inom ramen för Jägarbataljon 09 utbilda en soldat som besitter kompetensen att kunna identifiera och röja mineringar samt OXA? Om ja, vilken utrustning bör tillföras? Mina slutsatser är att det är praktiskt möjligt genom att tillföra en min- och amröjledare på bataljons nivå. Min- och amröjledaren kan i sin tur utbilda och ge soldaterna den reella kompetens som behövs på enbart fyra veckor, ca 130h stimmar. Utbildningen som krävs är grundkursen Minröjning Manuella Metoder(MMM). För att fullt ut kunna nyttja förmågan krävs det att gruppen tillförs viss ammunitionsröjningsutrustning, bland annat extra tänd- och sprängmedel. Effekten man vinner på tillförsel av minröjningskompetensen är kopplat mot förbandets förmåga till okonventionellt uppträdande samt möjligheterna att ta ytterligare steg innanför motståndarens beslutscykel. / In today’s conflict areas the remnants of war, mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) is a common problem for the civilian population. These remnants also pose a great threat for the military units who work in the area to create peace, stability and security for the people. The purpose of this essay is to discover if and how it is possible to solve eventual problems associated with remnants of war in conflict areas, without the support of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams. My research has explored if it is possible to implement mine clearance and ammunition disposal on a squad without loosing additional competence and focus from the squad’s main field of service. Additional research has been carried out to ascertain the lowest level of competence necessary to work within the field of mine clearance and ammunition disposal, and what education is needed. My thesis aims to answer, if it is possible within the frame of the Army Ranger Battalion 09, to educate a soldier on a squad to have the ability and competence to do work within the field of mine clearance and ammunition disposal? If yes, what additional equipment should be added to the squad, to be able to perform that task? My conclusion is that it is possible to achieve by adding a mine clearance and ammunition disposal leader to the Battalion staff who can educate, train and give the soldiers the proper education in four weeks (approximately 130h). The education required to achieve this goal is the course, Mine clearance Manuel Methods (MMM). To use this ability it is necessary to equip the group with some additional and specific disposal-equipment (i.e. extra explosives.) The main effort gained from implementing this ability on a ranger squad is the Ranger Battalion’s overall ability to operate and appear in unexpected areas, and to get inside the enemy’s OODA-LOOP.