DTRA’s Unsung Heroes: Our Technical Integrators

Photo By Darnell Gardner | Defense Threat Reduction Agency technical integrators (DTRA TIs) work with Allied Forces to secure Kabul “Green Zone” perimeters against a myriad of adversarial improvised threats. When called upon, DTRA TIs convoy with allied forces to assess and mitigate potential threats to friendly forces outside the safe zone. Protective measures ranging from in-house solutions up to the most technologically advanced improvised explosive device detection equipment are utilized to maximize safety for those serving in the region. DTRA TIs support the NATO-led Resolute Support Headquarters mission in Kabul Afghanistan.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

08.14.2020

Courtesy Story

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

KABUL Afghanistan - Warfighters operating in combat zones are continuously confronted with adversarial improvised threat technologies designed to inflict harm and disrupt operations. Over time, these nontraditional attacks have taken a heavy toll on mission success rates and weighed down the morale of warfighters. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) provides an “umbrella” of protection by deploying teams of technical integrators (TI) with subject matter expertise to assess and mitigate a myriad of improvised threats.

“On May 31, 2017, a large vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (LV-IED) detonated in Kabul which devastated the German Embassy, severely damaged the UK Embassy and several Afghan Government buildings,” explained David Gonzalez, lead technical integrator for DTRA’s Counter Improvised Threat Technologies Department. “It was this devastating event that prompted Resolute Support Headquarters, the NATO-led mission charged with training, advising and assisting the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, to request DTRA’s expertise in addressing and defeating these type of threats.”

DTRA TI’s presence in the National Capital Region and their activities downrange are mostly unknown to the majority of the agency. But when they are forward deployed in Afghanistan supporting the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR), U.S. forces, NATO and U.N. peacekeeping forces, their presence is clearly evident due to the umbrella of protection they provide.

“While in-processing for my most recent deployment, the NATO commanding general in charge of the Task Force Enhanced Security Zone approached me stating he expects ‘zero detonations’ in the safe area during this rotation. Roger that… our teams’ one and only response to a request such as that,” stated Jeffrey Church, DTRA TI task lead. “Any day without a detonation is a good day!”

The greatest threat to U.S. and Allied forces in the AOR is the use of asymmetric weapons. These threats typically comprise military-grade weapons that have been repurposed for nontraditional attacks, such as an IED in the form of roadside bombs or suicide vest (SVEST) attacks. Less superior adversaries rely on these types of tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) to inflict as much damage as possible despite their limited capabilities.

With the overall goal of staying “left of boom,” DTRA TIs quickly assess threats and counter with the most innovative technology designed to detect, deter, identify and defeat improvised threats before warfighters are impacted.

When engaging with assessing potential weaknesses, DTRA TIs seek out solutions that are economically sound and easily sustainable by Afghan forces. When determinations have been made on the best approach, Afghan Security Force funding pays for the technology, and TIs administer training to ensure for proper utilization.

Juan Rodriquez, DTRA TI for the Kabul Security Force Operations and Enhanced Security Zone, clarified, “We partner with the Afghan National Police and advise them on how to develop their own security procedures which builds on their confidence and leadership skills.”

DTRA TI William Jackson explained how in-house solutions are the most efficient approach; however, emerging threats rarely fit this scenario, resulting in reachback assistance from DTRA Technical Reachback.

“We have a team of engineers and scientists on our Technical Reachback team with whom I communicate our threat-situation and refer to for solutions. If we do not have a device to effectively eliminate the threat, our team will generate a requirements letter back home to conduct open-market research,” explained Jackson.

Despite having effective threat-defeat technology, adversaries are constantly maneuvering to counter our “countering-efforts.” When TIs employ a counter-measure, adversaries study the technology to looking for a weaknesses and then exploit those weaknesses to disrupt operations; it’s a strategic game of “cat and mouse” that TIs face on every deployment.

Over the years, DTRA has forged a lasting relationship and built rapport with Allied and Afghan National Defense Forces. By delivering much needed training and technology, mission accomplishments have increased significantly while successful enemy attacks have notably decreased. With a reduction in combat operations, host nation forces have taken the lead in force protection operations. DTRA TIs are currently positioned on the base until called to assess threats in Kabul and surrounding areas.

The eventual total withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan is imminent, but the threat will still remain. The training and technology left behind with host nation forces will allow them to build their protection capacity against adversarial forces.

“During this last tour, our team of technical integrators delivered technology that assisted with eliminating high profile attacks in the Green Zone and reduced the number of SVEST attacks…. we will continue to meet that “zero detonation” in the Green Zone while tasked to the CENTCOM AOR,” said Gonzalez.

• Date Taken: 08.14.2020
• Date Posted: 08.17.2020 06:04
• Story ID: 375982
• Location: KABUL, AF