Photo By Sgt. Jason Venturini | A Pakistani soldier examines a piece of shrapnel from a simulated improvised explosive...... read more read more
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BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - U.S. explosive ordnance disposal experts hosted a 10-day counter improvised explosive device training event for their Pakistani military counterparts at Bagram Airfield, beginning Jan. 29.
The training demonstrates the two countries coming together to defeat the threat of IED's in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. Despite perceived military tension, both sides are united in their fight against terrorism.
"A lot of people think there is a rift between our two countries; there isn't," said Flight Lt. Akhtar Abbas of the Pakistan air force. "The leaders might not always agree with this or that, but we are working together towards the same goal -- to eliminate the insurgents and IEDs from here in Afghanistan and in Pakistan."
The partnership between the two countries has been established mostly through a tri-partnership with Afghanistan since 2001. However, beginning in October 2009 the U.S. started working directly with the Office of Defence Representative, Pakistan to share information and coordinate joint training.
"We are trying to get a partnership going with Pakistan. We have a shared interest here to defeat the enemy of both Pakistan and Afghanistan, and that enemy uses IEDs against our forces," said Col. Bert Ges, Task Force Paladin commander.
Taliban and other insurgent groups have ties to Pakistan and Afghanistan. Their elimination from one country won't necessarily mean their extinction, said 1st Lt. Joshua Watson, Task Force Paladin combined explosives exploitation cell triage officer-in-charge and training instructor.
"There are plenty of bomb builders that live in Pakistan and bring them into this country, so whatever we see here usually has militant ties to Pakistan. That is why it is vital for us to work together against this threat," Watson, a native of Virginia Beach, Va., said.
The Pakistani EOD program, which began in 1967, instituted an IED speciality program in the early 2000s to keep current with ever-changing threats. Pakistan is hoping to strengthen and expand the current program through training and dialog with U.S. EOD personnel.
"We have been achieving small successes over the past seven or eight years, but it hasn't been well organized," said Maj. Imran Javaid, Pakistan Corps of Engineers. "I think these training opportunities will enhance our capabilities and efficiency, which will enable us to quantify the probability of success."
This mutual conclusion resulted in the first counter-IED training event between U.S. and Pakistani forces, Ges said.
Twelve EOD experts representing the Pakistani army and air force participated in the 10-day training event.
"These are 12 of the best Pakistani EOD operators that they have. We found very quickly that they are very competent. They know their stuff, and are very professional," said Watson.
Despite the obstacles of training on foreign soil, all participants viewed the experience as invaluable.
"I was glad I came here into the warzone. If I want to get training about IEDs, I think Afghanistan is the best place to do it. Here you get real, serious situations; there is no faking it," Abbas said.
A main focus of the training was forensics and data collection from a scene after an IED detonation.
"We have realized through the training the use of forensics is very important," said Javaid. "It can help us in preventing future incidents. We now know how vital forensics is and will incorporate its use into future operations."
Along with the forensics training, there were discussions on standard operating procedures for both countries, robot training and practical exercises.
Students and instructors treated the training with realism and the realization that people's lives were at stake, knowing IEDs are responsible for more coalition force casualties than any other weapons system.
"We are not talking about theories here; it is something that is real and on the ground. Everything the instructors are teaching us is from their experiences they have gone through," Abbas said.
Through the 10 days of lengthy discussions and training, both sides gained an appreciation for the other and left better prepared to face the IED threat, Ges said.
"When we're able to share what we've learned, what works for us and they do the same, we can take the best of the ideas and techniques, pull them together, and improve our working capabilities, both for us and for them," Watson said.
Both countries plan on expanding their partnership through future operations, training events and dialog in the hopes of eradicating the threat of IEDs in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The major emphasis throughout the training was teamwork between the two countries. Both sides understand that success won't happen without the support of the other.
"The biggest thing is we are one team, one fight. We wouldn't be doing this unless we cared about trying to figure out how to stop this cowardly way of fighting," Ges said.
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.10.2010 08:28 |
| Story ID: | 45181 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Web Views: | 468 |
| Downloads: | 382 |
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