IEDs: The Obstacle in the Path to Assured Mobility
Abstract
Engineers have traditionally been the vanguard in breaching obstacles and clearing the path for armies to advance. The term sapper evolved from the use of engineers to dig what the French termed a sappe (trench), using a technique developed for digging trenches that allowed the opposing force s artillery to move forward in the attack to undermine a fortification. Sappers became known for their ability to bypass fortifications or to demolish them, thus the engineer ability to clear a path or breach an obstacle. Today, engineer route clearance teams (RCTs) are doing the hero work in assuring mobility for combat logistics patrols (CLPs) and the movement of other coalition forces on the roadways. The obstacle encountered today is typically an improvised explosive device (IED). Engineers man the Buffalos, Huskys, RG-31s, and other vehicles as they set out to find the IEDs before they detonate on coalition force vehicles. This protection mission has further proved the value of engineers in the fight. Once engineers locate an IED, they turn the mission over to explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams, who have extensive training in ordnance and explosives, having completed an eieight-monthertification course for their military occupational specialty (MOS) qualification. As long as EOD personnel are embedded within the route clearance mission, they are clearly the best trained Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, or Marines to detonate IEDs.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA596227
Entities
People
- Michael J. Silva
Organizations
- United States Army Engineer School