Safe distance -- send in the robot

Photo By Spc. Adam Blazak | A MarcBot IV robot visually interrogates a vehicle during a hands-on robotics training program at Combat Outpost Al Kindi, Mosul, Iraq, Dec. 30. IA engineer soldiers improved their agility and general maintenance and care of robotics during the training conducted by the 59th Engineer Company, 4th Infantry Division.  

MOSUL, IRAQ

12.31.2008

Story by Spc. Adam Blazak 

11th Public Affairs Detachment

By Pfc. Adam Carl Blazak
11th Public Affairs Detachment

MOSUL, Iraq— Vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, improvised explosive devices and suicide vest explosive devices are all part of the enemy's arsenal of weapons as they attempt to use them to disrupt and destroy the significant security gains made in Mosul by the coalition and Iraqi security forces. Defeating these inhumane and uncivilized weapons is not an easy task, but both the coalition and Iraqi security forces are making significant strides in doing just that.

Coming across an IED isn't a rarity in the Iraqi city of Mosul. Just ask any Soldier from the 59th Mobility Augmentation Company, 84th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade, and he will tell you the dangers of an IED contact.

Simply put, "It's intense every time," said Loveland, Colo. native, Staff Sgt. Jeron Pilger, training cadre, 59th Mobility Augmentation Co., 84th Engineer Bn., 18th Engineer Bde . Although specialty trained Soldiers can go and examine a suspected IED, it is always preferred that technology in the form of a robot, go first.

The engineering company currently uses two robotic technologies to visually interrogate suspected vehicle-borne and roadside IEDs. In essence, they use the robot before sending out a Soldier, Pilger said.

With this lifesaving technology, the engineer company realized the importance of sharing the knowledge, so they teamed up with their Iraqi counterparts for an afternoon of robotics training

Pilger was part of the team of engineers who helped implement the robotics training program for an engineer regiment in the 2nd Iraqi Army Division.

Conducted at Combat Outpost Al Kindi, the training focused on improving the Soldier's agility and basic care and maintenance of the robots, Pilger said.

The training was multifaceted, with an intense overview of maintenance and general care of the robots at the start, which led to a hands-on portion of the technology.

"We made it as realistic as possible," said Brooklyn, N.Y. native Sgt. Marvin Blaise, lead instructor of the training, 59th Mobility Augmentation Co., 84th Engineer Bn., 18th Engineer Bde.

During the practical training exercises, IA Soldiers maneuvered the robots throughout a makeshift training explosive course in order to interrogate suspected IEDs from a safe distance.

One of the Soldiers participating in the training, Pvt. Salem Hamo, Eng. Regt 2nd IA Div. said that in the past "Soldiers would pick up the IEDs by hand, but using the robots makes the job safer."

"We did the training to make them better," Blaise said. "This was just one step closer to making that happen."

• Date Taken: 12.31.2008
• Date Posted: 12.31.2008 04:39
• Story ID: 28307
• Location: MOSUL, IQ