Improvised Explosive Device
(IED)
Awareness
741st Ordnance Company (EOD)
Fort Bliss, Texas
Overview
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I.E.D. Overview
During ID checks
Vehicle Searches
 Vehicle Exterior
 Vehicle Interior
 Underside, Engine compartments, and Trunks
Actions to be taken
Review
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Oklahoma City Bombing
April 19, 1995
168 people killed
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2016
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(EOD)
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It was 10:30 p.m., time
for many in the military
housing facility at Saudi
Arabia's King Abdul
Aziz Air Base to turn in
for the night, when a
suspicious fuel tanker
pulled up near the
perimeter.
Some immediately
sensed danger, but there
was little time to
respond. A thunderous
explosion followed
seconds later, as some
5,000 pounds of
explosives packed into
the truck went off,
drilling a crater 35 feet
deep and ripping the
front off an apartment
building.
-http://europe.cnn.com
Friday, March 18,
2016
Khobar Towers, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
June 25, 1996
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
19 Servicemen killed
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An explosion which left a 40
foot by 40 foot hole in the
port side of the Norfolk,
Va.,-based destroyer. U.S.
Navy photo.
http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/
USS Cole, Aden, Yemen
October 13, 2000
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
17 Servicemen killed
39 injured
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U.S. Under
Attack
Sept. 11, 2001:
“A pleasant September
morning turns horrific
when, in a coordinated
terrorist attack on the
United States, a hijacked
United Airlines plane
approaches to strike the
south tower of the World
Trade Center, 18 minutes
after a hijacked American
Airlines jet smashed into
the north building, leaving
a gaping hole billowing
smoke.”
-www.washingtonpost.com
Friday, March 18,
2016
World Trade Center, New York NY
11 Sep 2001
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
5,000 missing
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I.E.D Overview
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Expect the unexpected
The only limitation is the bombers imagination
IEDs normally consist of a filler (explosive, incendiary,
or chemical), container, fuze, detonator, and power
source (depending on method of initiation )
All bombs have some sort of trigger: Victim initiated,
command initiated, timed.
Bombs will more than likely NOT be marked as such
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) Vehicle Borne IED
Heysham - 12 July 1994
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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A bomb doesn’t always have to be a separate device within the vehicle;
it could be the actual vehicle.
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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2016
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(EOD)
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I.E.D Overview
Reasons we are at a disadvantage:
No knowledge of who, what, where, when, why, or how.
 Who: the terrorist is
 Not always the driver, passenger, or owner of the
vehicle
 What: the terrorist will use
 What: the terrorist will attack
 Equipment, personnel, structures, etc.
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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I.E.D Overview
Reasons we are at a disadvantage:
No knowledge of who, what, where, when, or why.
 Where: the terrorist will make an attack
 When: the terrorist will attack
 Why: the terrorist will attack
 Personal, religious, political, etc.
 How: the terrorist will gain access to an
area/installation
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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ID Checks
In the early morning hours of 23 October 1983, a truck loaded
with explosives crashed through the security perimeter of the United
States Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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ID Checks
In the explosion that followed, 241 U.S. Military
personnel were killed and 80 seriously wounded.
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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ID Checks
Time is on your side. Although people may not
appreciate it while their vehicles are being searched, in the
long run a thorough search will let everyone know you are
doing the best job.
There is no need to rush through a search. You are the
first line defense against the use of a vehicle in a terrorist
attack.
It is also important to be aware of your surroundings
and to make note of personnel observing, but never entering,
gates.
Stay up to date on current affairs involving terrorist
activity in the area.
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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During ID Checks
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2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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During ID Checks
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Vehicle searches are a physical deterrent against
possible terrorist attacks. “A show of force”. If a
terrorist believes their vehicle may be searched they
will avoid being caught.
Although it is discouraged to single out certain types of
people don’t hesitate to pull a vehicle over if it has the
obvious capacity for a major threat or something looks
out of place.
If possible, don’t allow people waiting to see what areas
are being searched. If a terrorist knows what is
searched they will avoid placing a device in that area. A
visual barrier should be used during searches.
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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During ID Checks
Familiarity with those who enter/exit the gate is good,
but do NOT let this take away from the purpose. A
familiar face doesn’t mean you know the person. A
terrorist could be ANYONE!!
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2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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During ID Checks
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Be aware of:
 large packages
 tarps/blankets covering large objects
 exposed wires running throughout the vehicle
 strange/suspicious behavior exhibited by
driver/passenger(s)
 obvious device features (trigger devices, switches,
etc.) or weapons
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Vehicle Checks
While vehicle bombs have been reported carrying
more than two tons of explosives, seldom can more than
500 lbs.. of explosives be packed into an automobile. But
that much explosive power will demolish everything to a
distance of 45 feet, cause irreparable damage up to 95
feet from the center of the blast, do serious damage
nearly 200 feet away, cause minor damage more than
1,100 feet away and throw fragments nearly 4/5 of a
mile.
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Vehicle Checks
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Tools
Make sure you have the proper equipment readily
available and maintained so they don’t fail you when
you need them most.
Flashlights: Have more than one with fresh batteries
and bulbs available.
Mirrors: Make sure they are clean and that you are
familiar with the use of them. Practice your techniques.
Safety Gear: Thick gloves, eyewear, and any additional
items that might reduce injury to yourself in the event
you function a device in a search.
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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During Vehicle Checks
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Keep person(s) a safe distance from yourself and the
vehicle. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT AN
ITEM LET THE DRIVER SHOW YOU, BUT
MAINTAIN POSITIVE CONTROL OF THE
SITUATION AND BE COMPLETELY ALERT AT
ALL TIMES.
Be aware of the behavior of the driver/passenger(s)
Do not allow someone to regain control until the search
is complete. This may allow them control of a device
they think you have discovered.
Make note of people observing gate control points.
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Vehicle Exterior
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Be aware of:
 Extra antennas
 Protruding wire(s)
 Obvious weight excess in trunk
 Obvious alterations to vehicles that would enable
concealment of a hazardous device
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Exterior Checks
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2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Exterior Checks
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2016
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(EOD)
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Vehicle Underside
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Wires running underneath from front to back
Packages and objects taped/welded to the underside of the vehicle
Fuel tank
Trunk
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Spare tires: look underneath, feel weight, check for
tampering
Covered objects, packages, and bags that are
unexplained/suspicious
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2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Engine Compartments
Look for extra wires connecting to the battery/ extra
batteries
 Unusual shaped hoses/tubes
 Objects taped/welded to the inside
 Parts not common to a vehicle engine
 Firewall
 Areas that could conceal/house a hazardous device
(i.e. air filter, windshield washer fluid reservoir…)
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Friday, March 18,
2016
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(EOD)
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Vehicle Interior
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Exposed wires
Unusual smell(s) not particular to a vehicle
Antennas
Out of the ordinary bags, boxes, objects
Interior sections of the vehicle altered (upholstery rips,
loose screws on paneling)
Glove boxes for triggers/ switches
Under the dash for unexplained wires
Under seats/ along sides of seats for triggers/ switches
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2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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2016
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(EOD)
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Actions to be taken
If positive identification of an I.E.D. is made:
 Evacuate area/protect personnel
 Do NOT touch/move device
 Immediately request assistance (MP/K-9, EOD)
*Do not allow the person being searched to reenter the vehicle.
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Actions to be taken
 1st
Action: Personnel
 No radio/cell phone transmissions within
100ft.
 500 feet evacuation for normal sized package
 1,000ft. For:
• anything w/ antennas associated with IED
• enhancers in the vicinity (fuel trucks, explosive
carriers, underground gas lines…)
REMEMBER: PERSONNEL SAFETY IS #1
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Actions to be taken
 2nd
Action: Do NOT touch/move device
 Don’t do anything past the point of discovery
 Stop search
 Detain personnel who were in vehicle
Remember: The actions you take could mean
the lives of you and others!!
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Actions to be taken
 3rd
Action: Immediately request assistance
 Notify MP desk.
 MP desk will notify EOD
When reporting hazard remember:
 Time found
 Location (Gate #; # of vehicles)
 Size and shape or type of container
 Exposed wires, noises, smells, antennas,
condition of item.
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2016
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(EOD)
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Actions to be taken
3rd Action: Immediately request assistance
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Write down plate numbers and vehicle type
Write down number of people in vehicle and physical
descriptions (estimated height/weight, nationality, hair
color, accent, clothing, behavior, distinguishing
features: scars, glasses, hairstyle, mustache/beard, etc.)
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2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Additional Countermeasures
Know your resources
 EOD
 Local
Law Enforcement
 Fire Department
 Hazmat Teams
 FBI
 Other State and Federal Agencies
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2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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Questions
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2016
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(EOD)
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2016
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(EOD)
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Review
 Be
aware of your surroundings and the
behavior of the people you are checking.
 The obvious will present itself. Stay alert
towards things that look “out of the ordinary”.
 Stay up to date on current affairs and get as
much information from your chain of
command about possible threats in the area.
Friday, March 18,
2016
741st Ordnance Company
(EOD)
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