The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Basic Course Guide is designed to teach and educate necessary fundamentals that all service personnel should understand and acquire prior to combat deployments revolving against insurgent and guerrilla-based forces.
After completion of this course service personnel will be capable of and able to:
• Effectively deploy a variety of engineer tools in the field.
• Identify and render safe all Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) threats.
• Understand Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Routine and procedures.
• Set up correctly safety precautions for an IED or incident
• Correctly assess and react to EOD situations and work as a joint EOD team.
Completion of this course will enable and enhance a basic understanding of EOD personnel and also implement the techniques that been have learned to each respective current occupation to work alongside an EOD team. It will also teach members how to react appropriately when a EOD team is not present.
NOTE: This course also covers the threat of EODs from a leadership perspective, thus covering parts of the Operational Leadership Course and Officer Academy.
Acts of Unsafety
Any unsafe acts will result in verbal warning as mistakes do happen. A second offense will warrant a removal from training.
Unsafe acts include but are not limited to:
• Negligent and intentional discharges.
• Insubordination • Intentional friendly fire events.
Capabilities and Equipment
Engineers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians work in small teams with limited assets made up of weapons, vehicles and assisting personnel. Although Engineers and EOD Technicians are highly mobile, the constant availability of these assets is restricted especially during operations.
Primary Functions
Engineers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians are tasked with supporting the organization of prompt, sustained land dominance throughout full spectrum operations by identifying, diagnosing, rendering safe, exploiting, and disposing of all explosive ordnance or comparable threat regardless of filler; as required provides support to all types of missions.
Functions
Mobility
Engineers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians help keep the routes of maneuver open by reducing or eliminating the hazards of Unexploded Ordnance and other Explosive Devices. They also provide valuable information concerning the types of and hazard associated with threats. This will allow their respective commander to make informed decisions conserving maneuver.
Survivability
On the battlefield, and Engineers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians neutralize IEDs and UXOs that hinders the maneuver and increases the chance of fratricide. Range clearance operations, IED/UXO response and realistic training scenarios reinforce this function in operations other than war.
Additionally, Engineers and EOD Technicians can provide their respective commander with valuable information on the hazards associated with IEDs and UXOs.
Spotting an Explosive Threat
Whether the IED/UXO has been located by allied forces or civilians, there is a main procedure to adhere when coming across a potential explosive threat. We call these METHANE Reports.
METHANE reports are normally used by service personnel within the United States Armed Forces and they are the format that should be used when incidents are reported in. The report is structured in a way so it can be utilized when finding an explosive or after an explosive blast.
1. M – Military Details (Callsign & unit)
2. E – Exact location of incident (Minimum 6-digit grid and description required)
3. T – Time and type of incident (Fire, explosion, collapsed building, etc)
4. H – Hazards (Threats in the area, such as chemical, power cables, fire, hostile activity, etc)
5. A – Approach (Routes for reinforcements mounted mobility and air insertion landing zones)
6. N – Number of casualties
7. E – Expected response (What assets are available and what assets are necessary)
Pre-Explosive Ordnance Disposal
The following procedures should be carried out before the Engineer or EOD Technician starts conducting his search and demolition.
1) CONFIRM Establish and confirm the presence of a device. If a device has functioned it is confirmed. This is to be done from a safe location with maximum use of distance with protection. Leaving the shrapnel zone safety should not be compromised for Positive Identification (PID) on IED. Nobody should not move closer to the device unless necessary.
2) EVACUATE Evacuate the area as quickly as possible. Move people away from the device and not past it. Mark down the location and note the direction and distance to the device. Move to a minimum distance of 200 meters from the item. Start clearing surroundings area, the on-scene commander will make the decision on the radius to clear.
3) CONTROL Control only allows authorized personnel to enter the area. Immediately report any personnel observed approaching the IED according to the Rules Of Engagement.
Convoy Procedures for Responding to an IED/UXO
If a unit is to encounter an IED/UXO during a convoy setting, the following procedures should be followed:
1. Call over the radio for the convoy to hold, instruct all elements of IED/UXO presence. (If there is confirmed Positive Identification).
2. Instruct all elements of a correct distance to move back to, if not already at a safe distance.
3. Advise Commander on decision, their call is final.
4. If order for DISPOSAL or DISARM has been made, request security from ground troops to be made before starting the tasks.
Reaction to IED/UXO Blast
1. Treat the blast as if it was an ambush.
2. The blast may be followed by more explosions and there may be secondary explosive devices in the area. Perform short halt procedure if convoy is at halt.
3. Move out of the kill zone as directed by the commander.
4. Move to a position which holds the best location in order do further assess the situation.
Detonation Charges and Types
C-4 (M112 Charge)
The C-4 explosive is a plastic explosive and most commonly found in a plasticized form. C-4 is a relatively small explosive on the scale compared to other explosives. It’s safer to use multiple C-4 explosives when dealing with multiple explosives, for example if two IEDs are found in the proximity to each other, it is best to put C4 on both. C-4 is very stable and insensitive to most physical shocks. C-4 cannot be detonated by a gunshot or by dropping it into a hard surface. Detonation can only be initiated by a combination of extreme heat and a shockwave, such as when a detonator inserted into it is triggered.
Satchel Charges
The M183 Satchel Charge is essentially a demolition charge assembly. It consists of eight M5A1 Demolition Explosive Satchel blocks. The blocks come in two sandbags, four blocks per bag. The two bags come in an M815 canvas carrying case. Satchel Charges are much more effective for destroying fortifications, ammo caches, and disabling/destroying enemy vehicles. Although if it is deemed too dangerous, it is best to plant C-4 explosives onto an IED or UXO rather than a satchel charge.
Pre-Detonation Radio Procedures
Radio Procedure Prior to detonating C4 or Satchel Explosives:
<Rank> <Last Name> <#> <Explosive> <On(what)> <Location> <Safety Off >>Fire in the hole x3>
Example: Staff Sergeant Rugama, 1x C-4 Charge on UXO, North end of the SSR. Safety is off, safety is off, standby, standby. Fire in the hole, Fire in the hole, Fire in the hole.
Keep in mind that the radio that is utilized must be heard by everybody in the proximity. Make sure that while operating on a radio frequency, the most important personnel in the area are going to be able to hear all necessary information while this procedure is utilized. This includes Team Leaders and all elements in a convoy.
Depending on the size of explosive being used as well as the expected explosion to come out of exploding an IED or UXO the correct considerations must be made. These considerations should include the following:
• If there are religious buildings in the blast radius or housing IEDs, always get clearance from commanding personnel.
• If there will be collateral damage including vital buildings such as hospitals, schools, power stations or gas stations, clearance must also be attained.
Effectiveness and proper utilization of Explosive Ordnance Disposal techniques will now be tested. This includes on how to disarm or dispose of an Improvised Explosive Device.
IED & UXO Training Techniques
Performance Steps:
Retrieve both the SATCHEL CHARGE and the C-4 from a designated area provided by instructor.
A) Approach the IED or UXO in the correct and slow manner and receive a Positive Identification.
B) Report back to the instructor and receive a tasking update on what method of execution that should be deployed, this being either DISARM or DETONATE.
C) Successfully DISARM or DETONATE the explosive by procedures and tactics taught by the instructor and mentioned in this guide.
D) Collect the remains of the explosive and report it to intelligence personnel if any specific founds are made.
Evaluation Preparation:
Setup: Test Site in designated area, provide the technician with all the equipment given in the task condition statement.
Brief Technician: Go through the procedures mentioned above on how to approach an IED/UXO in unknown circumstances. Depending on the report given, the instructor will task him to either DISARM or DETONATE the explosives found.
Performance Measures:
1. Gave Positive Identification on active explosive.
2. Moved towards the explosive giving reports on what exactly he is seeing while moving. Keeping good communications with the observer.
3. Reports back and receives order on either DISARM or DETONATE.
4. Successful execution of order takes place.
Minefields
This section goes over the clearing of minefields with the mine detector.
When clearing a minefield. Each Team will equip a VMM3 and move at a walking pace. Line formation must be kept at all times, spacing 10-20m apart. The mine must them be marked by chemlight when detected. When a mine is detected, the Engineer and EOD Technician will halt and attempt to disarm the mine. If it is safe, they will use denial munitions such as C-4 or if appropriate, satchel charges. The team will then make sweep through until no more mines are found 50m past the last one detected. Depending on the situation the Commander or Team Leader will determine if the minefield needs to be blown fully once the clearing mission is complete.
Minefields will often be included in Intelligence Reports (INTREP) but are not always accurate, to attain proper method of setting up and planning the clearance of a minefield, it is advised that team leaders set up the plan on the team’s map.
IED/UXO Indications
These are the different ways to spot hazardous and potential situations where an IED, UXO or vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VB-IED) may be present.
A vehicle acting strange around friendly forces, especially in a convoy setting is often a crucial part of noticing a Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device. Rules of Engagement states that civilians must maintain a certain distance from a convoy or military location with this precise reason. Rules of engagement also state that a designated buffer-zone of at least 15 meters must be established around friendly forces and coalition forces are free to engage any vehicle or person that poses a threat or endangerment to the lives of friendly forces.
In a convoy setting, vehicles following the convoy, trying to overtake the convoy or pulling up alongside the convoy have the potential of destroying an entire convoy if they are in fact Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices. Cars parked on the sides of the road should also be avoided if possible. Destroyed vehicles on the side of the road are often very volatile threats and it is advisable to halt if this situation occurs.
Obstacles
Manmade obstacles or vehicle wrecks blocking a potential route can also be housing explosives within the rubble and also sometimes to defer a convoy into an alternate IED ridden route. Do not allow this type of obstacle to bunch up the convoy or to create a choke point for attack.
Changes in Pattern of Life
Sudden changes in the environment and specifically the way people are acting is often noticeable. If a normally busy and heaving village comes to a standstill upon a patrol entering signifies that there is a high likelihood that an ambush or IED strike is set up in the area.
Conclusion
This concludes the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Guide. The knowledge received will significantly improve warfighting and overall effectiveness for future events. By completing the course, all members will be given Basic Explosive Ordnance Disposal qualifications and have declared that they hold an understanding of all subject matter held within and have initiated the ever-growing training program.