Afghans Learn Counter IED Techniques from British Experts
Afghan National Army engineers are using their downtime after Eid to refresh their counter-improvised explosive device abilities, with the help of some expert training from British Army experts.
An Afghan National Army explosive ordinance disposal team responds to a simulated improved explosive device threat during a training exercise.
ANA engineers with the 1st Kandak, 215th Corps, have been conducting counter-IED training, at Forward Operating Base Shawqat in Nad-e Ali – developing what is an essential skill set for troops operating in the mine-riddled working environment of Helmand province.
Sergeant Mark Foskett, an explosive ordnance disposal technician from Hereford, who is mentoring the ANA team, said the engineers stay busy either combing the local area for explosives or responding to IED incidents in the field. Their operational tempo has slowed down due to the recent Eid holiday, but his team is making every effort not to squander the little free time they currently have.
Sgt Foskett said: “When we’re back here on camp, we carry out continuous training. We’re setting up scenarios for them to clear, and we’re also giving them the lead to set up their own training.”
Sgt Foskett has given the Afghan engineers a more active role in the planning portion of the exercises, in an effort to continually make their EOD team increasingly self-sufficient during every practical application session. Instead of planning the training scenarios himself, he turns the reins over to Sergeant Hassibullah, the ANA’s EOD team leader.
After establishing the notional terrain, population and local compounds present during the scenario, Hassibullah shares his plan of action with his advisors and fellow troops by using a makeshift terrain model. Once all are agreed that Hassibullah has a solid plan, the engineers don their gear and ready their bomb-detection tools.
Although the scenario starts slowly, due to the cautious minesweeping carried out by the team’s point man, the stress levels quickly ramp up once a potential bomb threat comes into play.
Sgt Hasibullah explained after a recent exercise: “One of my corporals called back during the sweep to inform me he came across a potential IED threat. Once the threat had been established, I went to the front of the patrol and found the IED myself.”
Hassibullah was able to carefully uncover the hidden explosive charge after his point man uncovered a suspicious wire slightly protruding from the ground. In lieu of safely detonating the mine, the team leader explained to his British mentors exactly how he would destroy the bomb had this been a real incident.
An Afghan National Army soldier, working with the 1st Kandak Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, prepares to locate a mock improvised explosive device during a training exercise
Sgt Foskett said: “Their performance was pretty good, and they’re right back up to where we expect them. I’m very proud of them. This training highlights just what they can do.”
“They’re extremely keen to learn. They’re always asking questions and wanting to know more about IEDs. They always want to improve themselves. They always want to know better techniques. They think of themselves as having a fighting role – it’s the biggest threat out there and they want to be dealing with it.”
Sgt Hassibullah is also satisfied with the outcome of the training scenarios, and attributes most of his team’s success to the dedicated mentorship of the British EOD advisors. He said: “The training here is really useful for us whenever we go into the field. When we first started working here, we knew very little about combating IEDs. Now it seems as if we know everything there is to know about dealing with mines. After all, this is our country and we are the future of our country. If we don’t protect it, who will?”
Photos: Cpl. Brian A. Gabriel Jr., USMC
