ANA route clearance platoon sweeps through counter IED course

CAMP DWYER, AFGHANISTAN

11.10.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Andrew Miller 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

CAMP DWYER, Helmand province, Afghanistan – Afghan National Army soldiers with the 4th Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps Route Clearance Platoon participated in counter improvised explosive device training hosted by Regimental Combat Team 5’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal here, Nov. 10.

The training featured scenarios similar to those the ANA are likely to face while operating here in southern Helmand. The safe environment offered the soldiers an opportunity to become proficient with the most up-to-date tactics, techniques and procedures for defeating the IED threat.

The course is based almost completely on practical application, and begins with refresher training on various types of metal detectors. Soldiers used the metal detectors to sweep across narrow lanes, laden with simulated IEDs, taking time to properly identify and mark any potential threats.

Once through the lanes, the ANA found themselves in familiar territory, walking over and through man-made, mud bridges and a compound, scenes that replay themselves several times a day during routine patrols.

“EOD has gone out here and planted pressure plates, command wires, off-setting power sources and various types of IEDs in exactly the same way we are finding them planted,” said Cpl. Brad Rehdantz, a 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion dog handler from Portage, Wis. “The ANA are using all the tools that they have at their disposal: Metal detectors, the sickle, their eyes and their training. This is helping them get better at knowing when to stop and when to search.”

More often than not, the soldiers were able to successfully manipulate the course, quickly marking and clearing the simulated threats.

As the soldiers became more comfortable with their environment and perhaps complacent in their actions, the sound of a controlled detonation of C4 shook them back to reality.

“If you hear the explosion, it gives you a lot to think about at the end of the day,” Rhedantz said. “As everyone knows, the Afghans are working toward taking over all the security responsibilities, so we are working with them, and they are getting very good at their sweeping and sickling techniques.”

Rhedantz said this was his first time participating in the partnered training exercise, but it is something that he hopes to be involved with well into the future.

Afghan National Army Staff Sgt. Noor Darwish, an EOD technician with the 4/1/215 route clearance platoon, said that this training is very important for his soldiers.

“We train here a lot prior to going on missions on roads where IEDs could exist,” he said. “We have done this training many times here, and have used it in real life many times.”

Though Darwish is an EOD tech by trade, he said the training still helps refresh his skills from time to time. When his soldiers come across something suspicious during a patrol or while searching a compound, Darwish relies on this sustainment training to help his men deal with the potential threat.

Darwish understands that his job comes with inherent risk. The most important jobs, especially those in a combat environment, usually do.

“I do this to save the people, to save ourselves… it is our duty,” he said.

Editors Note: RCT-5 is assigned to 2nd Marine Division (Forward) which heads Task Force Leatherneck. The task force serves as the ground combat element of Regional Command (Southwest) and works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.

• Date Taken: 11.10.2011
• Date Posted: 11.12.2011 06:39
• Story ID: 79952
• Location: CAMP DWYER, AF