Written by 1st Lt. Jared Viernes, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C
Monday, March 28, 2011 BAGHDAD— To help counter the threat posed by improvised explosive devices, United States forces possess specialist units called explosive ordnance disposal—experts in identifying, disarming, destroying and preventing IED attacks.
Monday, March 28, 2011 BAGHDAD— To help counter the threat posed by improvised explosive devices, United States forces possess specialist units called explosive ordnance disposal—experts in identifying, disarming, destroying and preventing IED attacks.However, with the responsible drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq underway, it is imperative that these missions can be handled by the Iraqi Security Forces’ answer to the EOD team—bomb disposal companies.
BAGHDAD—Capt. Michael Nicholls (far left), operations officer with the 731st Ordnance Company, attached to 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center and a Roy, Wash., native, talks with Colonel Ahmed, third from left, Commander of the 6th Iraqi Army Division Field Engineering Regiment about recent events in the 6th IA Div.’s area of operations at a key leader engagement Mar. 16, 2011, at Joint Security Station Constitution, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Jared Viernes, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C)
The 6th Iraqi Army Division, based in Baghdad, has its own fully-capable bomb disposal company. The 6th IA Div. BDC and Soldiers of 731st Ordnance Company, attached to 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, have been working together on Joint Security Station Constitution, Iraq, since September, sharing intelligence on enemy techniques and collaborating on how to exploit them. “[We] have a very strong relationship with the 6th IA BDC,” said 1st Lt. Veronica Potter, a platoon leader with 731st Ordnance Company and a Granada Hills, Calif., native. “They openly share information and evidence with us…our teams work well with all of their officers.”
The BDC has dramatically increased their ability to use robots for examination of IEDs, implemented sensitive site exploitation tactics, and developed disposal procedures for live IEDs through combined training with their U.S. counterparts.
The partnership relies in large part on key leader engagements, in which the U.S. and Iraqi officers plan training sessions, evidence analysis teams, and demolition operations. The leaders have learned much from each other, even in realms outside their normal operational boundaries.
“We have learned the value of patience,” said Potter. “In addition, we all have a better understanding of their customs and courtesies.”
The 6th IA BDC is run through the Field Engineering Regiment headed by Colonel Ahmed, with Lieutenant Colonel Ali serving as the BDC commander. Thanks to their unique abilities, the Soldiers of the BDC are authorized to respond independently to the majority of missions, as opposed to regular units who must answer to the division staff.
The BDC’s solid understanding of explosives and their ability to dispose of them are a valuable asset to all the Iraqi Security Forces within their area of operation. With each mission, they gain more confidence and experience, Potter said.
The BDC has dramatically increased their ability to use robots for examination of IEDs, implemented sensitive site exploitation tactics, and developed disposal procedures for live IEDs through combined training with their U.S. counterparts.
The partnership relies in large part on key leader engagements, in which the U.S. and Iraqi officers plan training sessions, evidence analysis teams, and demolition operations. The leaders have learned much from each other, even in realms outside their normal operational boundaries.
“We have learned the value of patience,” said Potter. “In addition, we all have a better understanding of their customs and courtesies.”
The 6th IA BDC is run through the Field Engineering Regiment headed by Colonel Ahmed, with Lieutenant Colonel Ali serving as the BDC commander. Thanks to their unique abilities, the Soldiers of the BDC are authorized to respond independently to the majority of missions, as opposed to regular units who must answer to the division staff.
The BDC’s solid understanding of explosives and their ability to dispose of them are a valuable asset to all the Iraqi Security Forces within their area of operation. With each mission, they gain more confidence and experience, Potter said.
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