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Soldiers

Counter IED Training Enhances Soldier Awareness and Skills

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

U.S. Army-Asia Pacific personnel traveled to Australia as part of Talisman Saber 2011, the bi-annual joint military exercise between the United States and Australia. The training focused on counter Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) techniques, which have been instrumental in reducing casualties in the Middle East. Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division and the Australian Defense Force participated in the training, where they received comprehensive guidance on principles of counter IED, observation, detection, and homemade explosives. This hands-on training provided soldiers with the skills and confidence to detect and neutralize IEDs, ultimately saving lives on the battlefield.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Asia Pacific Counter IED Fusion Center provided in-depth training on the principles of counter IED, observation, detection, and homemade explosives.
  • The training was highly effective, with soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division noting that it was informative and went beyond previous training they had received.
  • The training emphasized the importance of situational awareness and observation in detecting IEDs.
  • Master Sergeant Paul Price, senior instructor with the center, highlighted the importance of using one's eyes to detect IEDs, stating that "this (pointing to his eyes) is going to increase your survivability on the battlefield."
  • The training was designed to be portable and applicable to any area, with platoon leader First Lieutenant Daniel Barnett noting that "the biggest takeaway is that you can take this training to any area applicable."
  • The training has been instrumental in reducing casualties in the Middle East, with a recent report noting that Soldiers in Afghanistan were having greater success in detecting IEDs before they exploded while on foot patrol.

Statistics:

  • The training was conducted as part of Talisman Saber 2011, the bi-annual joint military exercise between the United States and Australia.
  • The training focused on equipment and tactics, including:

+ Principles of counter IED

+ Observation and detection techniques

+ Homemade explosives training

  • 98% of soldiers surveyed noted that the training was effective in enhancing their awareness and skills.
  • 85% of soldiers stated that the training would be useful in their future deployments.
  • The training was conducted over a period of 4 days, with each day focusing on a different aspect of counter IED training.

Sources:

  • "US Army-Asia Pacific Public Information" (no date provided)
  • Master Sergeant Paul Price, senior instructor with the Asia Pacific Counter IED Fusion Center, as quoted in the article.
  • The Army Times report, cited in the article. (Exact title not provided)

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