GUARD WORKS WITH VOLCANOES AT JACKSON ARMORY

Inert self arming anti-tank mine, one of six per canister, weight 3.8 lbs

Unlike mother natures volcanoes, which molten lava and gasses are ejected out of the earth's crust, the M 139 Volcano multiple delivery mine system ejects surface laid anti-tank mines out of moving wheeled or tracked vehicles at speeds of 5-to-55 miles per hour.

It can also be used with aircraft (Helicopters) at air speeds of 5-150 Knots. The system dispenses up to 960 antitank mines and can be re-armed in 20 minutes. Each canister holds 6, self-arming mines which will be pre-set to auto-destruct from 4 hours to 15 days depending upon the mission requirements.

Soldiers from Company B, 1140th Combat Engineer Battalion, Missouri Army National Guard, Jackson and Perryville, recently spent the weekend training and equipping two 5- ton dump trucks with the M139 Volcano system for up coming field training exercises. The training was conducted at the Jackson Armory, which was unusual but necessary due to the amount of equipment needed for installation. Most training weekends are spent in the field. The Combat Engineers of Company B not being garrison soldiers enjoy the field-training environment most of the year, in all weather conditions.

During Annual Training 2000 at Fort Campbell, Ken., the unit will employ offensively and defensively the Volcano mine system to delay enemy movement, isolate the battlefield and reinforce friendly forces. The Volcano teams will rapidly emplace large minefields under varied conditions in the area of operations in order to reinforce existing obstacles, close lanes, gaps and protect flanks.

For the last several years the 1140th Engineer Battalion consisting of HHC, A, B, C, Companies have achieved the predominant status of FSP- I (Force Support Package 1), one of the few high priority Army National

Guard units in the state and country. With a 72-hour call-up time the 1140th soldiers can deploy any place in the world trained and ready. Active Army Observer/Controllers assist training on drill weekends and during annual training. Training is intense to meet the strict federal requirements. The soldiers of Company B have been praised many times year after year by assigned Active Army Observer/Controllers for unbounded dedication to the many missions they train for, State or Federal.