 U.S. Military
EHT's are a new concept in military operations. Created to support explosive ordnance disposal units , each team member completes several months of intensive training; Training ranges from mine detection and area clearance to explosives tracking and hazards planning. EHT training is designed to give each member the skills necessary to better protect U.S. and Iraqi forces from explosive threats in theater. "The training we went through as a unit certified us to be able to instruct other units in IED defeat, area clearance, and mine detection operations," said Sgt. James T. Williams, a technical intelligence analyst with the 15th EHT. There are four EHTs in the U.S. Army. One from Ft. Bragg, N.C.; one based out of Ft. Hood, Texas; one at Ft. Lewis, Wash.; and , lastly, the 15th EHT, from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. "The 15th EHT was not only the first team to complete the certification process," said 1st Lt. Manuel A. Orozco, 15th EHT detachment commander, "but they are also the first operational EHT to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom "I credit my team members for the outstanding job they did to get us where we are." According to Orozco, his seven-member team will provide explosives tracking, mitigation and assured mobility for the 130th Eng. Bde., and will act as a Military Training Team for local Iraqi Army soldiers. Skills the EHT will train IA soldiers on isare especially crucial after security of the country transitioned from the U.S.to the Iraqis on June 30. While the 15th EHT arrived in country certified to train other units in explosives hazards, the ever-changing operational demands in Iraq provided the unit an opportunity to also teach the Iraqis evidence collection procedures as part of the C-IED training. "A critical part of our mission is training the Iraqi Security Forces in everything they need to know to replace U.S. forces as far as conducting counter-IED operations. We 'train the trainers' so the Iraqis can take what they learn from us back to their own units and teach them how to effectively counter the IED threat," Orozco said. The 15th EHT is currently undergoing crime scene evidence collection certification. Before the team can train the ISF in these procedures, they must complete several hours of sensitive site exploitation training. Law enforcement officials with the 25th Infantry Division, which is responsible for operations in MND-N, will certify the 15th EHT in these procedures. ISF evidence collection training will be a major part of the 15th EHT's mission. Orozco said utilizing evidence collection procedures at crime scenes will assist the Iraqis in targeting the insurgency, and ultimately, governing themselves. Knowing how to effectively target explosives hazards and finding insurgents responsible for making, emplacing and financing IED operations gives the Iraqi government more control. The 15th EHT's efforts will help create a safer, more stable environment, not only for U.S. forces aiding in Iraq's reconstruction, but for Iraqi government officials and citizens going about their daily lives in an uncertain time. |
