Soldiers Can Take Steps to Avoid Explosives (EOD)

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Staff Sgt. Tony M. Lindback

[SandRat]

Fort Lewis, Wash., native Spc. Dennis Speek, explosive ordnance disposal technician, 789th Ordnance Company (EOD), explains how EOD personnel use the robot known as the “Talon” to handle explosives by remote control while standing in front of the Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rapid Response Vehicle (JERRV) at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Sept. 18. The JERRV is similar to the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles that are being phased into service replacing the Humvee. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Lindback.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER — Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians have seen a change in the enemy’s tactics, techniques and procedures.

Field experience, battlefield changes and the larger and more frequent presence of Coalition forces in more areas are reasons the enemy has changed the way it operates, said Sgt. John Siebert, an EOD technician, 789th Ordnance Company, Task Force Troy.

Task Force Troy is comprised of military and civilian explosive experts for the purpose of lessening the threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) here. The 789th is from Fort Benning, Ga., and is attached to 3rd (Heavy) Brigade Combat team, 3rd Infantry Division.

Siebert has seen changes in the way insurgents work with his own eyes, having been deployed twice before.

“In the beginning of the war the IEDs were very simplistic,” Siebert said. “As the war progressed, the IEDs progressed. Now, with the help of counter-IED technology, they’re going back to their roots – the basics. The best way stop them is to find them.”

Currently U.S. Forces are being educated about IEDs and unexploded ordnance in a much broader way. Soldiers in basic training are learning how to look for and identify IEDs and unexploded ordnance (UXO), and mobilization stations are training Reserve, National Guard and active service members from other branches. Refresher training is also provided upon entry to the combat theater.

Siebert said, “Five years ago a lot of people in the Army didn’t know what we did. Nowadays privates coming right out of basic training know what we do, when we need to be called and how to send up a nine-line UXO report.”

“We’re integrated with the units on the ground a lot better,” Siebert added. “They understand what our job is more, so they know how to prepare for us arriving better.”

The job is easier with more Soldiers understanding EOD’s mission, said Spc. Dennis Speek, another 789th EOD technician, but Soldiers can still take steps to make the job easier.

Capt. Justin Gerken, commander, 789th Ordnance Co., said his recommendations for handling an IED or UXO is to call EOD for anything that looks suspicious. The person who saw the item should remain on scene to share information with EOD.

One challenge EOD technicians face is not always having a good marker for a suspected IED, Speek said. Telling an EOD team, “It’s over there,” simply isn’t good enough.

Even with the challenges, Siebert and Speek said IEDs are becoming easier to defeat.

Siebert said it appears the purpose of many IEDs is to harass Coalition forces rather than effectively kill large numbers of troops. For Coalition forces, damage from IEDs, other than explosively formed projectile types, has been minimal, he said.

Another threat EOD tries to minimize is injury from UXO detonations, Speek said.

“We have had several incidents on the FOB of unexploded ordnance being dug up with a lot of the construction work being done,” Speek said. “It’s not uncommon at all. We’ve also had several incidents out on the ranges here.”

He said UXO is just as dangerous as IEDs.

“Dead and injured is dead and injured, no matter how the explosion happens,” Speek said. “There’s no need to touch it. It’s not a good souvenir.”

“Even if it looks harmless, or like it has been there for a long time, it could very well be an IED,” Gerken said.

The last piece of advice Gerken has is for Soldiers to wear the personal protective equipment they have been issued for going outside the wire.

“Items such as gloves, protective eyewear, ear plugs, and fire-retardant clothing have minimized injury and saved countless Soldiers when they have struck an IED, or been in the vicinity of one,” he said.

The 789th Ordnance Co. (EOD) has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since May.

[SandRat]

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