A Marine of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit assigned to Explosive Ordnance Team 8 prepares a Talon II remote-controlled robot to go down range and investigate a possible IED along the shoulder of a busy

A cordless phone base used as a remote detonating device is recovered by a Marine Explosive Ordnance Team - 8 of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit who blew up the IED attached to it.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Nathan L. Luther of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Explosive Ordnance Team 8, moves down range to identify the location of an IED placed along the shoulder of a busy highway

Members of the Navy are actively embedded within the explosive hazard detection areas within Iraq. The work is challenging and hazardous. LCDR Steve Bliss presents an overview of the situation.

The Iraq Explosive Hazards Awareness Program was born from the Counter Mine Counter Booby Trap Center's Mine Awareness Training Program. The concept was adopted due to the mine threat that US forces faced in Bosnia and was seen as a necessity during pre-deployment training. It has been locked in as the way ahead for pre-deployment awareness training for future OIFs as well as other operational deployments that may have a mine, Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) or Improvised Explosive Device (IED) threat.

Overall, the in-theatre mine and UXO threat to Coalition forces is medium to high. The IED threat is very high. The mine threat extends from large-scale protective minefields (emplaced by the former Iraqi regime along the country's borders and within certain internal regions) to nuisance mining (both past and present) as well as the use of mines on the odd occasion as command-initiated IEDs.

UXO exists both in the form of malfunctioned Coalition Forces, and Iraqi ordnance, and unfired captured Iraqi ordnance, which is deemed to be unstable. UXO continue to pose a theatre wide threat. The threat from IEDs (in particular, the employment of military ordnance in an IED role) is currently the most significant of all explosive hazards.

The Counter-IED Team's (C-IED) mission is to deliver a C-IED Program (relevant to the in-country threat) in order to provide personnel with the knowledge required to identify mine, UXO and IED indicators, as well as the skills required to respond safely to threat situations.

Serve as the principal provider of in-country C-IED and RSO&I C-IED in Kuwait, as well as one of the principal providers of on-going information regarding counter mine, UXO and IED Tactics Techniques and Procedures Tactics Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) relevant to the evolving in-theatre threat.

Manage, review and update the existing C-IED Program, which is based on the three foundation packages Basic, Intermediate, and Train The Trainer (Advanced). The levels were commonly known as, Level I, II and III prior to a change which occurred on 23 July 2006.

A two hour awareness brief delivered in Kuwait under the auspices of the Victory Corps RSO&I program. The brief is compulsory for at least all US troops, and preferably MNF-I. The brief highlights the in-theatre explosive hazard threats, indicators of these threats and the fundamental TTPs to safeguard against these threats. The brief is very IED focused.

This training consists of a 5-8 hour C-IED package which is delivered by Unit Trainers to troops within their own unit/command. The Unit Trainers are students that have successfully completed the C-IED Train the Trainer course.

A three day `Train the Unit Trainer' course. Two-thirds of the course is counter-IED focused with the remaining time dedicated to landmine and UXO threats and all arms search. The training consists of a mix of theory lessons, practical lessons and teach-backs (or pitch-backs). A portion of the course is committed to CREW training and quick decision exercises (QDEs). Candidates for the course should be Soldiers and Marines:

A tailored package designed to meet the needs of Major Subordinate Commands (MSCs) operations e.g. support to an operation or mission. The duration of this training is usually less than the three day Level III course. The course lessons are drawn from the three day course but it can have additional lessons added in order to focus on specific needs (e.g. countering the threat posed by a certain IED that consistently appears in a BCTs TAOR).

Promote the existence of C-IED across all levels of command and liaise with MNC-I MSC HQs and LNOs to ascertain the nature and priority of their C-IED requirements. This was a problem for my predecessor but I have had no problem motivating the MSCs to request training. This is primarily down to targeting the right person at the right time. The need for good C-IED training has also been recognised by all senior leaders of the US military and has been given some recent momentum due to the increase in the use of IEDs and a memo from CG CENTCOM GEN Abizaid. Since May 2003 there have been in excess of 38000 IED incidents. This figure only takes into A/C those IEDs that have detonated or have been found and cleared.

In addition to providing standard C-IED training packages previously listed, we also provide training tailored to meet the specific requirements of MSCs e.g. mounted and dismounted patrols, danger or vulnerable point area searches or general awareness briefs.

Source information from, and share information with key in-theatre agencies that are stakeholders in the C-IED fight or matters concerning explosive hazard threats. These organizations include (but are not limited to):

Contribute to the ongoing improvement of pre-deployment EHAT and C-IED, through organizations such as MPRI, CFLCC and CONUS training and mobilisation bases.

C-IED is mandated by MNC-I OP ORDER 06-01. The release of FRAGO 194 in 2006 directed TF TROY C-IED TT to establish 3 Satellite Training Teams to be located throughout the ITO (Iraqi Theatre of Operations).

• C-IED TT is responsible for providing training to all CF personnel in the ITO, on how to deal with the hazards presented by IED's and UXO in Iraq,

• C-IED is under the operational control of TF Troy, the central organization responsible to the Commanding General to deal with the IED problem in Iraq.

• C-IED TT is headed up by an Australian (O4) presently LCDR Steve Bliss, RAN MCD Officer, FSGT Michael Avenell RAAF EOD and senior NCO and 17 US military personnel. The Team is scheduled to increase to 40 during 2007.

• C-IED TT conducts basic and Train the Trainer courses for counter IED Training Tactics and Procedures, (TTP's) throughout Iraq, at the various FOB's, and in Kuwait

Travel by road in Iraq is a very hazardous and the team is not immune to the IED threat or that of the T/FF. There is certainly a hint of adventure when we conduct what is known as a GAC (Ground Assault Convoy) or participate in Route Clearance missions and Convoy Logistic Patrols. The Team travels in two RG31s and one HMMWV which are all heavily armoured with .50 Cal and 2 x 7.62mm machine guns.

From my perspective I am very focused on the task of delivering C-IED training and do my utmost to ensure that the training delivered will improve the awareness of the troops and in doing so help them stay alive. The training is very rewarding and it is extremely gratifying when you hear the students say `this is the best Military course I have ever attended' gives those personnel present a very tangible sense of achievement.