Iraqi army, Iraqi police and U.S. Army explosive ordnance disposal conduct massive controlled detonation

Photo By Staff Sgt. David Lankford | A Soldier two kilometers from the blast sight records the detonation on a mobile device. He stands ready to duck behind an armored vehicle in the unlikely event fallout from the blast travels the distance. The controlled detonation in the desert outside of Karbala, April 4, was the largest many present had ever witnessed.  

KARBALA, IRAQ

04.04.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. David Lankford 

Multi-National Division-Central

KARBALA, Iraq - Members of the Iraqi army, Iraqi police and U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal teamed up to destroy several tons of confiscated munitions in the desert outside of Karbala, April 4.

The rockets, mortar rounds and missiles confiscated from throughout Babil province have been accumulating for some time. Nearly 8,000 lbs. of live and inert explosive devices were delivered to the blast site in four large trucks.

"A lot of times this stuff will pile up at IP checkpoints or headquarters," said 1st Lt. Thomas Kinsey, 760th EOD Company. "They turn it all in at once; then load it into four or five-ton trucks full of mortars and rockets."

"The Iraqi army has their own EOD forces and the Iraqi police have counter explosives teams," the San Antonio, Texas native continued. "The problem is that they don't have access to the resources we do."

Advanced schooling is another shortcoming the 33rd Iraqi Army, in conjunction with coalition forces, is working to correct. Kinsey said the Iraqi forces are well trained and equipped to handle day-to-day operations, but still need assistance with larger missions.

"They're doing the best they can with what they've got," said Kinsey. "It's a problem of them getting the funding and the schools to get to the skill level they need."

Kinsey said his Soldiers enjoy helping out. They see it as a way to advance the technical skills of their Iraqi counterparts, and as a means of eventually turning over full mission control. Besides, he said, "blowing stuff up is always more fun."

• Date Taken: 04.04.2009
• Date Posted: 04.16.2009 09:51
• Story ID: 32456
• Location: KARBALA, IQ