Cold Weather Operations Manual
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Cold We&her MO53 December 1989 Distribution: (2 copies each unless otherwise indicated) SNDL 39B 39C (50 ea) 39D (15 ea) 39E (15 ea) 391(8 ea) 39R (10 ea) 39s (5 ea) 39T (15 ea) FF49 FT18 FA32 FB41 FM0 (20 ea) FKN2 (5 ea) FT37 (10 ea> FKNll (5 ea) FKAIC (Codes OOE,062 (10),063,064 only) Naval Publications and Forms Center (NPFC) (500 copies) 5801 Tabor Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19120-5099 FOREWORD This manual provides the Chief of Civil Engineers guidance regarding the command and training of Naval Construction Force (NCF) units in cold weather and extreme cold weather operations. It covers the principles of cold weather survival and operations as applied to the individual Seabee’s conduct while performing NCF unit functions including construction, transportation, and camp maintenance. This manual may be used as a source document by NCF units, particularly Naval Construction Regiments and Naval Mobile Construction Battalions, to plan basic cold weather training. Recommended changes are solicited. Send recommendations to NAVFACENGCOMHQ (Code 062). This publication is certified as an official Command publication and has been reviewed and approved in accordance with SECNAV Instruction 5600.16, “Review of Department of the Navy (DON) Publications; Procedures Governing”. J. C. ELKINS Captain, CEC, U. S. Navy Deputy Commander for Military Readiness (Seabees) ABSTRACT This manual provides guidance for operations and training of Naval Construction Force units in cold weather and extreme cold weather. It covers the principles of cold weather survival and operations as applied to the individual Seabee’s conduct while performing NCF unit functions including construction, transportation, and camp maintenance. Arctic and subarctic construction techniques are not covered. ii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1. LEADERSHIP ......................................................................................l-1 1.1 PRINCIPLES.. ...................................................................................................l-1 1.1.1 Know Yourself ......................................................................................1-l 1.1.2 Be Technically Proficient ....................................................................l-l 1.1.3 Seek Responsibility and Take Responsibility For Your Actions ...................................................................................................l-2 1.1.4 Make Sound and Timely Decisions .................................................l-2 1.1.5 Set the Example ....................................................................................l-2 1.1.6 Know Your Seabees and Look Out For Their Welfare.. ..............l-3 1.1.7 Keep Your Men Informed ..................................................................l-3 1.1.8 Develop a Sense of Responsibility in Your Subordinates...........l- 3 1.1.9 Ensure Tasks are Understood, Supervised and Accomplished .......................................................................................l-4 1.1.10 Train Your Seabees As A Team ........................................................l-4 1.1.11 Employ Your Unit In Accordance With Its Capabilities.. ...........l-4 1.2 ATTITUDES .....................................................................................................l-4 1.2.1 Concept ...................................................................................................l-4 1.2.2 Learning with Subordinates ..............................................................l-4 1.3 COMMANDERS INTENT+........................................................................... l-5 1.4 OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES (THE RULES) ............................................l-5 1.4.1 Live .........................................................................................................l-5 1.4.2 Build .......................................................................................................l-5 1.4.3 Fight ........................................................................................................l-5 CHAPTER 2. COLD WEATHER OPERATING AREAS ....................................2-l 2.1 CHARACTERISTICS ......................................................................................2-l 2.1.1 Geographic Location ............................................................................2-l 2.1.2 Latitude and Temperature .................................................................2-2 2.1.3 Weather and Precipitation .................................................................2-2 2.1.4 Effect of Warm Water Currents ........................................................2-2 2.1.5 Mountainous Terrain, Deep Fjords Barren Tundra. ...................2-2 2.2 ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS ..............................................2-2 2.2.1 Wind .......................................................................................................2-2 2.2.2 Daylight/Darkness ...............................................................................2-3 2.2.3 Vegetation, Animal, and Insect Life ................................................2-3 2.2.4 Seasons................................................................................................... 2-3 2.2.5 Fogs .........................................................................................................2-3 2.2.6 Arctic White-out ..................................................................................2-3 2.2.7 Grayout ...................................................................................................2-4 2.2.8 Soils .........................................................................................................2-4 2.3 COLD WET/COLD DRY CONDITIONS ....................................................2-4 2.3.1 Cold Wet ................................................................................................2-4 2.3.2 Cold Dry .................................................................................................2-6 (. 2.4. THE ARCTIC ...................................................................................................2-7 . 111 2.5 THE SUBARCTIC ...........................................................................................2-7 2.5.1 Climate ...................................................................................................2-7 2.5.2 Terrain ....................................................................................................2-7 2.5.3 Trafficability * .........................................................................................2-7 2.5.4 Snow .......................................................................................................2-8 2.5.5 Break-up/Freeze-up . ...........................................................................2-8 CHAPTER 3. EFFEmS OF COLD WEATHER ON MILITARY OPERATIONS ..................................................................................... 3-l 3.1 GENERAL .........................................................................................................3-l 3.2 PERSONNEL ....................................................................................................3-l 3.2.1 Physical Effects ......................................................................................3-l 3.2.2 Psychological .........................................................................................3-2 3.3 MOBILITY .........................................................................................................3-2 3.3.1 Snow Conditions .................................................................................3-3 3.3.2 How Snow Changes . ...........................................................................3-3 3.3.3 Foot Mobility .........................................................................................3-3 3.3.4 Vehicle Mobility ...................................................................................3-4 3.4 ORDNANCE ....................................................................................................3-4 3.4.1 Snow and Ice .........................................................................................3-4 3.4.2 Visibility.. ...............................................................................................3-S 3.4.3 Magnetic Phenomena .........................................................................3-5 3.4.4 Condensation ........................................................................................3-5 3.4.5 Maintenance Breakage, and Malfunction of Weapons.. .............3-S 3.4.6 Lubricants ..............................................................................................3-6 3 3.4.7 Ammunitions ......................................................................................3-6 CHAPTER 4. PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF COLD WEATHER INJURIES.. .................................................................... .4-l 4.1 BACKGROUND ..............................................................................................4-l 4.2 FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO COLD WEATHER INJURIES.. ........41 4.2.1 Physical Activity Too Little or Too Much. .....................................41 4.2.2 Inadequate Nutrition ..........................................................................4-l 4.2.3 Dehydration ..........................................................................................4-2 4.2.4 Poorly Fitted Clothing and Footwear ..............................................4-2