Air Force, Navy unite to counter terrorism in AOR

Photo By Johnny Saldivar | Air Force Tech. Sgt. William Cameron, Combined Joint Task Force Troy Combined Explosive Exploitation Cell Triage Lab non-commissioned officer in charge, catalogs evidence collected from an improvised explosive device Oct. 10. Cameron is an explosive ordnance disposal technician who ensures evidence components are safe to handle by removing hazardous materials. This allows Functional Analysis Cell members to safely analyze evidence and piece together a true picture of the IED threat in Iraq. Cameron is deployed from Detachment 63, Indian Head Naval Ordnance Station, Md., and hails from Middleburg, Fla.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.11.2009

Story by Senior Airman Alyssa Miles 

U.S. Air Forces Central, Baghdad Media Outreach Team

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- Nine service members here work seven days a week tracking the largest threat to U.S. personnel deployed in Iraq improvised explosive devices.

The functional IED analysis cell is made up of airmen and sailors who track how anti armor, suicide vehicle borne, vehicle borne, personnel borne and underbelly IED's are built and where they are used.

"Each person on my team is functionally assigned to an IED type," said Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Clutz, non-commissioned officer in charge of the cell. "They each track IED's based on construction type. Our data is used daily to design routes for convoys, change tactics, techniques and procedures, design counter IED protection systems and to target those who build these devices."

This information is compiled and given to maneuver units in an effort to help them predict the safest route of travel.

A typical work day for the group consists of searching all source intelligence documents to piece together a true picture of what is taking place inside the area of responsibility. Adding to this daunting task is the fact the majority of servicemembers working within the office are not doing the same job they do at their home station.

"I volunteered for a 365 day temporary duty to perform intelligence analysis in the counter IED fight," said Sgt. Clutz, who is deployed from Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C. "At home station, I supervise a team that performs intelligence activities that facilitate strategic targeting for air component and strategic weapon systems. My job in theater is completely different in that I supervise a team that tracks IED's by function throughout the Iraqi joint operating area."

However, according to St. Paul, Minn. native Navy Lt. Joel Krech, officer in charge of the cell, each member of the team becomes a subject matter expert on the type of IED he or she is responsible for analyzing over the course of their deployment.

"The counter IED mission itself is unique, but has taken on more strategic importance as IED's continue to be the most casualty causing weapon in Iraq and Afghanistan," said the lieutenant, who is deployed from the Joint Reserve Intelligence Support Element in Minneapolis. "Not many intelligence analysts in the Department of Defense are as involved with IED analysis as we are, and it is satisfying to be involved in the fight to this extent."

Even though he is performing a job outside of his spectrum, Clutz has not let it undermine his capability to execute his mission and ultimately, save lives.

"If our team was not here, the largest threat to U.S. personnel would go untracked," Clutz said. "Our analysis allows U.S. forces to travel the battle space in relative safety and for those who build these types of devices to be found and brought to justice."

• Date Taken: 10.11.2009
• Date Posted: 10.11.2009 07:31
• Story ID: 39944
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ