COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY
FORCE PROTECTION WORKING GROUP 16 January 2004
Agenda
Threat Update
IED TTPs
Threat Update
Extremist groups/organizations continue to utilize IEDs to attack Coalition Forces in an attempt to discredit security efforts in Baghdad.
Groups will continue to utilize IEDs and entice Coalition Forces into prepared ambushes.
90 Day review of IED attacks: -708 IED attacks -599 IEDs found -298 IED attacks which caused injury (718 casualties)
Improvised Explosive Devices
Who are IEDs designed to take out?
-Up to now, coalition force/personnel soft targets, HMMWVs, NTVs. -Any time a group of coalition personnel are a soft target or unaware is a perfect situation for employing an IED.
Where are we currently finding IEDs?
-Primarily along the MSRs and main routes of travel.
Why use an IED?
-An IED is low cost. More Bang for the Buck -Easily disguised, and exposes the terrorist to a low risk of exposure when attacking. -Anonymity after the event to a bomb-maker is worth the risks of building the bomb. -Psychological warfare at its most vicious level.
Improvised Explosive Devices
When can you expect an IED attack?
- 24 Hours a day: Because of the reduced exposure time compared to a traditional ambush, anytime is a good time for IED Strike - Morning time. IEDs are placed under cover of darkness - Periods of reduced visibility.
Methods used in Baghdad to detonate IEDs:
-Command detonated devices -Hard wired (electrical wires between devices and/or leading away from the bomb. -Remote controlled (battery powered doorbell devices (Sega brand), pagers, cell phones as senders and receiving units) -Tall buildings or line of sight Observation Points will be near by. Many controllers require a direct line of sight to activate the receiver and detonate.
IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED) TACTICS, TECHNIQUES & PROCEDURES (TTPs)
One of the greatest threats to convoys Usually command detonatedwire or remote Materials currently being used for IEDs:
155 Rounds, anti-tank mines, diesel fuel in cans, mogas in cans, rockets, mortar rounds, etc. Basically, if it can explode, its being used
IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED) TACTICS, TECHNIQUES & PROCEDURES (TTPs)
INNOVATIVE EXPLOSIVE DEVICES (IEDs) can be disguised as anything or hidden anywhere: -Trash in the roadway, cigarette cartons, trash bags, soda cans,
milk cans, buckets, burlap bags, cinder blocks, potholes, tied to telephone poles, in guard rails and in animal carcasses
VERY HARD to spot IEDs at convoy speeds
-There is A LOT of debris on the side of the roadway in
Iraq99.9% of it is just trash
What do IEDs look like in Iraq?
The problem with IEDs is they can look like any common object. EOD has found: Black plastic garbage bags (with 130mm artillery rounds wired in series) A Bus (with a grenade attached to the fuel tank; failed) Milk cartons, pepsi cans, cigarette cartons (with plastique or C4) Burlap bags ( again using artillery rounds) A pothole in the road filled in with dirt and an explosive charge Refrigerator compressor (filled with high explosives and re-welded) MRE bag (bomb platform; common item; easily disguised) Cars, trucks, vans (older models, worn so as not to draw attention) Beware of a beater with worn shocks and springs; overloaded, trash on seats; good tires on a junk car. This is a one-way trip, driver wants no flats. Pipe bombs (Some of the most renowned IED Specialists in EOD have fallen victim to low yield pipe bombs). Dog carcasses filled with explosives
IEDs in Iraq
IEDs in Iraq
IEDs in Iraq
IEDs in Iraq
IEDs in Iraq
IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED) TACTICS, TECHNIQUES & PROCEDURES (TTPs)
The Basic No Frills IED Attack
Mil/Civ Convoy
IED Placed on Shoulder Direction of Traffic
Median Strip
Median Strip
Median Strip
Typical Iraqi 4 lane highway
Variation: IED Placed in the Median Strip
IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED) TACTICS, TECHNIQUES & PROCEDURES (TTPs)
The Broken Down Vehicle IED Attack
Stopped fake Broken Down vehicle canalizes military traffic into close proximity to IED
Direction of Traffic
Median Strip
Median Strip
Median Strip
IED
IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE (IED) TACTICS, TECHNIQUES & PROCEDURES (TTPs)
The Fiendishly Clever IED Attack Lead vehicle sees fake IED and stops. The convoy stops behind it. Real IEDs on flanks of stopped convoy are then command detonated
Visible Wires
Direction of Traffic
Easily seen Fake IED
The Real IEDs Daisy Chained Together
Median Strip
Median Strip
Median Strip
THREAT IED TTP: - Components are assembled before emplacement - Takes seconds to emplace - IED camouflaged, looks like trash or part of curb - Attackers are familiar with area - Have rehearsed attack - Known distance from trigger point to IED - IED emplaced on or near over and underpasses - Threat uses terrain to avoid capture - Trigger man within 150 300 meters of IED - Utilize OP to signal on-coming US Convoy - Trigger man targets second or last US vehicle
Remote Detonated IED
Trigger Man
Remote Detonation Devices: Car Alarms Garage Door Openers Remote Keyless Entry Cellular Telephones
Trigger Man Line of Site/Observation
Remote Detonation 150 300 Meters
IED KILL ZONE
Residential Area
- Car Alarms, Keyless Entry, Garage Door Openers Cell Phones used to remote detonate IED - OP Vehicle faking car problems - Local population knows who attackers are - Trigger man utilizes residence for concealment - Trigger man disposes of remote detonation device - Trigger man blends into local population - If IED discovered, trigger man remains in place to target EOD and follow-on forces
IED Initiation TriggerKnown distance to IED
Vehicular OP departs target area
OP Signals Trigger Man
What Can you do to mitigate threat?
Keep Alert: Make yourself a Hard Target Be Prepared for IED Attack Followed by Ambush Be and Appear Vigilant
Personnel Who Look Ready to Fight Back Make Bad Targets Bad Guys Wait for the Next Convoy
What Can you do to mitigate threat?
Maintain Convoy Speed when Possible
Maintain vehicle dispersion Be Extra Cautious at choke points -Iraqi Vehicle Breakdowns -Bridges, one way rds, traffic jams, sharp turns, etc If Something Causes the Convoy to Stop, Watch Your Flanks for IEDs (Post Ops)
What Can you do to mitigate threat?
Vests and Helmets Save LivesWear Them! Glasses Save Eyesight -Turret Gunner Recently had Shrapnel in Sunglasses after IED Attack Intell Reports that a Blue X on Rocks Indicates an IED Site
What Can you do to mitigate threat?
Rehearse Actions on Contact for an IED Get Out of the Kill Zone Fast Do NOT Approach the IED
Soldier was Killed Doing this when the IED was Command Detonated as the Soldier Inspected It
What Can you do to mitigate threat?
Before every convoy, brief your personnel on latest IED threat: -What they are using and where they have been emplaced before on our Route
Get Them in the right frame of mind -Thinking About IEDS Do it Every Time for Every ConvoyNO Excuses!!!
What Can you do to mitigate threat?
Trust your instincts. Items you see may make you nervous about the situation or item. It may be the people watching you that makes you nervous or the body language or stress people show may know that something is out there. If people move away from you. You know your zone, you have a feel for what is normal. If it doesnt feel right move out smartly and report it. Are the familiar locals there or have they left the area? Knowing your AOR and its inhabitants is a great tool for detection. Most bombers dont blow up their own neighborhoods and they do not like their pictures taken. Presence of news crews may be an indicator. Bomber does not want his picture taken, but he loves to have his dirty work on film.
Summary IEDs are a Very Real Threat to Convoys IEDs are Disguised as Almost Anything Get Out of Kill Zone Fast and Keep Moving Be and look vigilant, especially when forced to Slow Down for a Disabled Vehicle or an accident Brief your personnel on IEDs before leaving
FORCE PRTOECTION WORKING GROUP (FPWG)
FORCE PROTECTION IS EVERYONES BUSINESS! Security Personnel Need the Eyes and Ears of ALL personnel!
COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY
FORCE PROTECTION WORKING GROUP 16 January 2004
Questions?
