Upon completing this chapter, you should be able to do the following: 1. Describe mine production and processing.

2. Describe special reports on incidents that could affect the status of your command.

3. Describe the minimum training required for mine assembly. 4. Describe preparations for command inspections.

Mine readiness requires special emphasis on advance planning, personnel training, capability for fast deployment of personnel, development of new and better tactics for minelaying in hostile environments, pre-positioning of mines, continued collection of intelligence, and research and development of new or improved mines.

In addition, operational mines must be maintained in an assembly configuration that permits rapid upgrade and delivery to the laying vehicle. Mines must be ready for those areas in which potential mining requirements exist and for other contingencies that may arise.

This chapter presents only some of the procedures and requirements necessary for a Mobile Mine Assembly Group (MOMAG) activity to maintain an acceptable readiness status. These topics include mine production and processing, uniform mine warfare planning system, reports, mine assembly training, and naval command inspection programs.

For further information on these subjects, refer to the recommended reading list at the end of this chapter.

MINE PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING

The most important aspect of a MOMAG activity is its capability to support mine assembly and production operations. Preplanned events must occur and be properly integrated to ensure a smooth and efficient flow of material.

This section discusses (1) work simplification and flow plans, and (2) work orders.

WORK SIMPLIFICATION AND FLOW PLANS

The concept of work simplification has resulted in the development of vastly improved techniques in maintenance and mine assembly. These improvements have enabled MOMAG activities to accomplish the following:

Improve basic procedures

Reduce personnel errors and fatigue

Decrease mine assembly time significantly

Simplify documentation requirements and procedures

Increase the quality and the type of the required subassembled components

Each MOMAG activity is required to develop and maintain a standard flow plan for the processing and production of mines and mine material. Standard Production and Processing for Mines, COMOMAGINST 8550.12, provides basic guidance and examples for developing a standard flow plan. In addition, it provides the standardized assembly, final preparation, and surface launch rates.

A flow plan concerning mine production and processing should include, as a minimum, the following items:

Personnel assignments Administrative upgrade requirements

Functional organization chart for upgrading weapons

0 Material-handling equipment (MHE) and civil engineering support equipment (CESE) requirements The development of flow plans will not ensure that an activity is capable of producing the mines required to support mine warfare operational plans (OPLANs). To examine a MOMAG activity's readiness and realistic response capability for possible mining requirements, each MOMAG activity must conduct a quarterly readiness assessment.

This assessment will use sufficient assets to sustain peak weapon assembly proficiency for all weapon types maintained on board and/or weapon types the unit or the detachment has the capability to assemble. Although two readiness assessments per year may be walk-through evolutions to examine and evaluate new ideas or changes in assembly flow-process plans, one readiness assessment each year must be of sufficient magnitude to exercise and verify assembly line resupply procedures.

Emphasis is placed on weapon reliability, with safety being paramount during all evolutions. Reliability is of primary importance during quarterly readiness assessments. A post analysis will be performed, with the results used by the commanding officer or officer-in-charge to evaluate and correct any assembly errors.

For the basic procedures to be followed during an upgrade exercise, refer to Reporting of Mine Assembly Capability and Readiness Status, COMOMAG/MOMAGINST 3501.1.