4. • Extremist groups/organizations
INNOVATIVE” EXPLOSIVE DEVICES (IEDs) continue to utilize IEDs to attack
Can be disguised as anything or hidden anywhere:
Security Forces in an attempt to
discredit security efforts.
Trash in the roadway, cigarette cartons, trash bags, •
soda cans, milk cans, buckets, burlap bags, cinder
blocks, potholes, tied to telephone poles, in guard rails
and in animal carcasses • Groups will continue to utilize IEDs
and entice Security Forces into
VERY HARD to spot IEDs at high speeds prepared ambushes.
Slow down, stop, look and listen
Situational Awareness is critical to the • 90 Day review of IED attacks:
performance of each security team -708 IED attacks
member -599 IEDs found
-298 IED attacks which caused
Situational Awareness is the most
injury (718 casualties)
important skill you can possess on patrol
5. When can you expect an IED
Who are IED’s designed to
take out? attack?
Up to now, security force/personnel soft
targets, HMMWVs, NTVs.
24 Hours a day: Because of the reduced
Any time a group of Security personnel exposure time compared to a traditional
are considered a soft target or unaware ambush, anytime is a good time for IED
is a perfect situation for employing an Strike
IED. Morning time IEDs are placed under
cover of darkness or periods of reduced
visibility.
Where are we currently finding
IED’s? Methods used to detonate IEDs:
Command detonated devices
Primarily along the MSRs and main Hard wired (electrical wires between
routes of travel. devices and/or leading away from the
bomb.
Why use an IED?
Remote controlled (battery powered
An IED is low cost. More Bang for the Buck doorbell devices (Sega brand), pagers, cell
Easily disguised, and exposes the terrorist to phones
a low risk of exposure when attacking. as senders and receiving units)
Anonymity after the event to a bomb-maker is Tall buildings or line of sight Observation
worth the risks of building the bomb. Points will be near by. Many controllers
Psychological warfare at its most vicious level. require a direct line of sight to activate the
receiver and detonate.
6. The problem with IEDs is they can look like • “INNOVATIVE” EXPLOSIVE
any common object. EOD has found: DEVICES (IEDs)
Black plastic garbage bags (with 130mm
artillery rounds wired in series) Can be disguised as anything or
A Bus (with a grenade attached to the fuel tank; hidden anywhere:
failed)
Milk cartons, pepsi cans, cigarette cartons (with trash in the roadway
plastique or C4)
cigarette cartons
Burlap bags ( again using artillery rounds)
trash bags
A pothole in the road filled in with dirt and an
explosive charge
soda cans
Refrigerator compressor (filled with high milk cans
explosives and re-welded) buckets
MRE bag (bomb platform; common item; easily burlap bags
disguised) cinder blocks
Cars, trucks, vans (older models, worn so as not potholes
to draw attention)
tied to telephone poles
Beware of a beater with worn shocks and
springs; overloaded, trash on seats; good tires on
• VERY HARD to spot IEDs at high
a junk car. This is a one-way trip, driver wants
speeds
no flats.
Pipe bombs (Some of the most renowned IED
Where there is A LOT of debris on the
Specialists in EOD have fallen victim to low
side of the roadway or in the parking
yield pipe bombs).
lot…99.9% of it is just trash but give a
closer look and don’t just pass it over
Dog carcasses filled with explosives
7. Get in the right frame of mind
Keep Alert: Make
yourself a “Hard Target” Intell Reports that a “Blue X” on
Rocks Indicates an IED Site
Be Prepared for IED Do NOT Approach the IED
Attack Followed by IEDs are a Very Real Threat
Ambush IEDs are Disguised as Almost
Anything
Be and look vigilant, especially
Be and Appear Vigilant when “forced” to Slow Down for
Personnel Who Look a “Disabled Vehicle” or an
Aware/Ready Make Bad accident
Targets Security Personnel Need the Eyes
Bad Guys Wait for the and Ears of ALL personnel!
Next helpless individual
or group
8. The rapid evolution of
insurgent tactics, require
Security Forces to develop
and maintain a heightened
state of situational awareness
(SA) while on patrol. Good
SA is key to seeing,
understanding, and then
acting on pre-attack indicators
to deny the enemy the
advantage of surprise. For
example, while on exterior
patrols also be aware of your
surroundings.