Editing C-4 (explosive) (section)

== Use ==
=== Vietnam War ===
U.S. soldiers during the [[Vietnam War]] era would sometimes use small amounts of C-4 as a [[fuel]] for heating rations, as it will [[Deflagration|burn]] unless detonated with a [[Explosive#Primary explosive|primary explosive]].<ref name="fuelsource">{{Cite web | last1=Harris | first1=Tom | title=How C-4 Works | url=http://science.howstuffworks.com/c-42.htm | website=How Stuff Works | date=20 June 2002 | publisher=HowStuffWorks | access-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> However, burning C-4 produces poisonous fumes, and soldiers are warned of the dangers of personal injury when using the plastic explosive.<ref>{{Cite book | title=FM 3–34.214 (FM 5–250) Explosives and Demolitions | publisher=U.S. Department of the Army | location=Washington, D.C. | pages=6 | quote=Composition C4 explosive is poisonous and dangerous if chewed or ingested; its detonation or burning produces poisonous fumes. | chapter=Chapter 1: Military Explosives | date=27 August 2008 | chapter-url=http://info.publicintelligence.net/USArmy-Explosives.pdf }}</ref>

Among field troops in Vietnam it became common knowledge that ingestion of a small amount of C-4 would produce a "[[Substance intoxication|high]]" similar to that of ethanol.<ref name="yummy" /><ref name="trippy"/> Others would ingest C-4, commonly obtained from a [[M18 Claymore mine|Claymore mine]], to induce temporary illness in the hope of being sent on sick leave.<ref name="dispatches">{{Cite book | first=Michael | last=Herr | date=1977 | title=Dispatches | publisher=Knopf | isbn=978-0-679-73525-0 | url=http://www.abebooks.com/9780679735250/Dispatches-Herr-Michael-0679735259/plp}}</ref>

=== Use in terrorism ===
[[Terrorist group]]s have used C-4 worldwide in acts of [[terrorism]] and insurgency, as well as [[domestic terrorism]] and [[state terrorism]].

On May 13, 1985, the [[Philadelphia Police Department]] dropped [[1985 MOVE bombing|a C-4 bomb]] on the home of the [[MOVE organization]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=May 13, 1985: Philadelphia Police Bomb MOVE |url=https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/move-bombing/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Zinn Education Project |language=en-US}}</ref> killing eleven people — including five children — and wiping out 61 homes in two city blocks.

Composition C-4 is recommended in [[al-Qaeda]]'s traditional curriculum of explosives training.<ref name="homelandpresentation"/> In October 2000, the group used C-4 to [[USS Cole bombing|attack the USS ''Cole'']], killing 17 sailors.<ref name="Guardian Bomb Type">{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/aug/21/alqaida.iraq |title=Bomb type and tactics point to al-Qaida |last= Whitaker|first=Brian |date=21 August 2003 |work=The Guardian |access-date=July 11, 2009 | location=London}}</ref> In 1996, [[Hezbollah Al-Hejaz|Saudi Hezbollah]] terrorists used C-4 to [[Khobar Towers bombing|blow up the Khobar Towers]], a U.S. military housing complex in [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{cite press release|url = https://www.fas.org/irp/news/2001/06/khobar.html|title = Attorney General, on Khobar Towers Indictment|last = Ashcroft|first = John|date = 21 June 2001}}</ref> Composition C-4 has also been used in [[improvised explosive device]]s by [[Iraqi insurgency (2003–11)|Iraqi insurgents]].<ref name="homelandpresentation"/>

===Gallery===
<gallery class="center">
File:Annual training 140820-N-AX577-063.jpg|Inserting a [[blasting cap]] into a block of C-4 to ready it for detonation
File:'Bomb Squad' uses tools, intelligence to battle terrorism 070801-F-4569G-203 2000456802.jpg|Wrapping on packaged C-4 indicate that it has been [[taggant|tagged]] for easier [[Explosive detection|detection]]. Even if no taggant is used, sophisticated forensic means can still be employed to identify the presence of C-4.
File:Eod2.jpg|Inserting [[blasting cap]]s into blocks of C-4 explosive (bottom) being used to destroy unexploded artillery components (cylinders)
File:US Navy 081212-N-1974P-016 Explosive Ordnance Disposal 2nd Class Jared Naegele, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 1 builds an explosive charge intended to collapse a cave suspected of housing weapons c.jpg|A demolition charge being assembled from multiple sticks of C-4
</gallery>