Air Force, Navy unite to counter terrorism in AOR

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- Air Force Tech. Sgt. William Cameron, Combined Joint Task Force Troy Combined Explosive Exploitation Cell Triage Lab noncommissioned officer in charge, documents evidence collected from an improvised explosive device here Oct. 10, 2009. Sergeant 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. Sergeant Cameron is deployed from Detachment 63, Indian Head Naval Ordnance Station, Md., and hails from Middleburg, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

Air Force, Navy unite to counter terrorism in AOR

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- Navy Chief Petty Officer Jill Holliger, Combined Joint Task Force Troy Functional Analysis Cell assistant noncommissioned officer in charge, and Air Force MSgt Michael Clutz, CJTF Troy FAC NCOIC, look at sectarian neighborhoods here on a map of Baghdad. FAC members analyze improvised explosive devices emplacement activity. Chief Holliger is deployed from Command Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10, Whidbey Island, Wash., and is a native of Diller, Neb. Sergeant Clutz is deployed from Bolling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C., and hails from Corpus Christi, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

Air Force, Navy unite to counter terrorism in AOR

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- Air Force Tech. Sgt. William Cameron, Combined Joint Task Force Troy Combined Explosive Exploitation Cell Triage Lab noncommissioned officer in charge, catalogs evidence collected from an improvised explosive device here Oct. 10, 2009. Sergeant 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. Sergeant Cameron is deployed from Detachment 63, Indian Head Naval Ordnance Station, Md., and hails from Middleburg, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Johnny L. Saldivar)

Air Force, Navy unite to counter terrorism in AOR

Published Oct. 11, 2009
By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Miles
U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- Nine servicemembers 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 IEDs 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, noncommissioned officer in charge of the cell. "They each track IEDs 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 their 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 Sergeant 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 IEDs 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 IEDs 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, Sergeant 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," Sergeant 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."