Photo By Cpl. Kenneth Jasik | Sgt. Abdul Khaleq, squad leader with Route Clearance Tolay, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps,...... read more read more
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FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, Afghanistan – When Afghan National Army soldiers go on patrol, staying safe and combat effective means that they need to be aware of improvised explosive devices and what to look for.
ANA soldiers graduated a course designed to help them identify and minimize the damage caused by IEDs, April 12. The course covered types of IEDs and ways to prevent them from injuring soldiers and civilians.
“I learned to find IEDs and how to take care of them,” said Sgt. Abdul Khaleq, a squad leader with Route Clearance Tolay, 2nd Brigade, 215th Corps. “We learned about all kinds of IEDs from mass-produced to homemade. We were also shown all different kinds of pressure plates and switches, so we know what to look for.”
Pressure plates are devices that cause IEDs to explode when stepped on or rolled over by a vehicle. The enemy can also use manual control switches, waiting for someone to pass before setting off the IED.
U.S. Marine advisers taught the course and showed the soldiers their tactics, techniques and procedures for stopping IEDs.
“My favorite part of the course was how to face a suicide bomber and de-escalate the situation, said Kaleq, 23, from Baghlan province. “The whole class was interesting, but that was my favorite part.”
The graduates plan on teaching other ANA soldiers what to look for while on missions.
“At first I will teach my fellow soldiers what to look for, then I can go look for IEDs and hopefully save lives,” said Kaleq.
Another part of the course covered how to reduce causalities, both with soldiers and civilians.
“I was interested in the cordons,” said Pvt. Meraj Kahn, driver with Route Clearance Tolay about keeping an area clear of soldiers and civilians in case an IED explodes before it can be disabled.
The soldiers are glad that they learned about IEDs, because they are all interested in saving lives.
“I’m glad I graduated, and it is an honor,” said Kahn, 25, from Jalalabad. “I want to be able to save lives and this class will help me with that. The Marines taught us good information on the IEDs, and it was a good class overall.”
| Date Taken: | 04.12.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.12.2012 11:08 |
| Story ID: | 86630 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELARAM II, AF |
| Web Views: | 197 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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