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Ali Airmen train Iraqi EOD squad

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Darrell Habisch
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
ALI BASE, Iraq --  The eight Iraqi men drove up to the Ali Base main gate in two sparkling clean white Ford F-350 trucks, replete with police badges emblazoned on the doors and light bars on the roofs . Waiting to meet them were three Airmen in a JERVV, or Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicle.

The Iraqis surrendered their weapons as instructed and maneuvered their vehicles behind the JERVV to form a convoy to their classroom; a barren piece of desert suitable for blowing explosives.

These men had 'Police' on their hats but 'EOD' embroidered on their shirts. They are literally the 'bleeding edge' of those Iraqi citizens willing to stand up against forces conspiring to drag their country into more violence and unrest. They came to Ali Base to learn the finer points of disarming bombs.

"I have been doing this for two years," said Capt. Mahmoud Sukalsiuk, chief of the Iraqi Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit for Dhi Qar Province. "Here we train for new things from the Americans. They are very experienced."

This seven-week Explosive Ordnance Disposal partnership mission brings the Iraqi EOD forces up to speed on the latest explosive disarming techniques. This knowledge will help them prepare to completely assume these duties after the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.

Just like any EOD unit stateside, the Iraqi policemen began their training with preliminary courses to familiarize students with explosives to the more advanced training with robotics and forensic and evidence processing.

According to Tech Sgt. William Adomeit, team leader for the 407th Air Expeditionary Group EOD unit assigned to the Army's 84th Ordnance Battalion, Iraqi students learn explosive theories and effects, ordnance recognition and safety hazards, bomb suits, robotics platform, combat lifesaving and more.

On this school day, the Iraqi students were learning the most efficient method to disable an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) using water bottles taped together and armed with C4 explosive and cordite.

Water, contained in plastic drinking bottles used by troops throughout the AOR, is capable of separating the components of an IED.

When plastic bottles are taped together and laced with the proper amount of C4 explosive and positioned in a very specific manner, the energy produced by the explosion uses the water as a carrier and neatly cuts wires and cords, making the IED inoperable.

"We're a defensive force by nature," explained Sergeant Adomeit, deployed from Luke AFB, Ariz. "We are trying to preserve what the IED is trying to destroy."

Safety is paramount with the members of the multi-national team here today. Every part of the teaching process is planned and measured.

"This helps the Iraqi police EOD team to know what they are dealing with," Sergeant Adomeit said.

What appears to be a small piece of plastic from a water bottle or some other litter lying on the dirt and sand turns out to be a small cell phone connected to an explosive device. And the threat is buried deep.

Today, the Airmen are instructing with hands-on techniques where to place the disarming water bottles and exactly what the explosive effects will be.

Another team member, Staff Sgt. Joe Hernandez, an EOD journeyman also deployed from Luke AFB, Ariz., explained that "This simple disarming method requires specific placement and procedures to produce specific results.

"And, you want to be as far away as possible," he added.

To be as far away as possible the Airmen teach the finer points of using a robotic platform. Although the Iraqi EOD team has a robot, they learn on a more advanced American model.

According to Sergeant Adomeit, the Airmen strive to "give the Iraqi EOD team members all the tools and knowledge necessary to save their own people."

Adding their knowledge to the Iraqi EOD team's skill sets is welcomed by Airman 1st Class Stephen Alvarez, EOD journeyman from Like AFB, Ariz. "We train constantly for this," he said. "I came to Iraq with an open mind and I'm happy to be a small part of a much larger picture."

Captain Sukalsiuk agreed, adding "We are in partnership to build a new Iraq. Whatever is humanly possible to save souls, we will do."

At the end of the day, one JERVV followed by two white Iraqi police trucks leave the desert and head to the Ali Base gate.

There, the Airmen stop and bid their students farewell...until the next class.