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Improvised Explosive Devices in Iraq: Effects and Countermeasures: Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are responsible for many of the more than 2,000 deaths and numerous casualties suffered by U.S. and coalition forces since the invasion of Iraq. The bombs have been hidden behind signs and guardrails, under roadside debris, or inside animal carcasses, and encounters with IEDs are becoming more numerous and deadly. The threat has expanded to include vehicle-borne IEDs, where insurgents drive cars laden with explosives directly into a targeted group of service members. DOD efforts to counter IEDs have proven only marginally effective, and U.S. forces continue to be exposed to the threat at military checkpoints, or whenever riding in vehicles in Iraq. DOD reportedly expects that mines and IEDs will continue to be weapons of choice for insurgents for the near term in Iraq, and is also concerned that they might eventually become more widely used by other insurgents and terrorists worldwide.

Small-Unit Kill Teams and IED Interdiction: About 80 percent of U.S. soldier deaths in Iraq are caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The U.S. Army has employed various preventive measures to reduce IED damage on the battlefield: military vehicles are equipped with jamming devices that prevent remote IED detonation; engineer patrols clear debris and vegetation from heavily traveled supply routes, which assists convoys in identifying possible roadside bombs; explosive ordnance disposal teams conduct route clearance in heavily armored vehicles specifically designed to counter mines and roadside bombs; additional armor is continuously being added to vehicles; and new mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles are being fielded to help defeat newer and deadlier explosive devices. While these defensive measures provide increased survivability against IEDs, they are reactionary in nature and designed to help avoid and defeat IEDs, rather than destroy or neutralize those who put them to use. Only through a combined effort of passive defensive measures and aggressive dedicated IED interdiction operations can we effectively work to neutralize the threat of IEDs in the contemporary operating environment.

Cell Phone Use by Insurgents in Iraq: Since the official availability of commercial cell phones in Iraq in 2004, Iraqi insurgents have developed numerous applications for them. The convenience, mobility, low cost, accessibility of information, and technological capacity of mobile phones has drastically enhanced the connectivity and collaboration of insurgents. This, in turn, has provided insurgents in Iraq new opportunities to circumvent counter-insurgency (COIN) efforts. It also has fostered unprecedented situational awareness in combat. As cell phone technology evolves, insurgents will continue to use cell phones to increase the efficiency and impact of their operations.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) / Booby Traps An IED can be almost anything with any type of material and initiator. It is a “homemade” device that is designed to cause death or injury by using explosives alone or in combination with toxic chemicals, biological toxins, or radiological material. IEDs can be produced in varying sizes, functioning methods, containers, and delivery methods. IEDs can utilize commercial or military explosives, homemade explosives, or military ordnance and ordnance components.

Potential Indicators of Threats Involving Vehicle Borne IED's The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) believes that a truck bombing by terrorists may be preempted if the general public remains alert for certain indicators. DHS has no specific information to indicate that a truck bombing of any kind is currently being planned in the United States. This document is only intended to provide general information to assist in efforts to recognize potential VBIED-related threats or incidents based on the recent Riyadh bombings.

Improvised Device Defeat The Improvised Device Defeat (IDD) Subgroup delivers advanced technologies, tools, and information to increase the operational capabilities of the United States military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) community and federal, state, and local bomb squads to defeat and mitigate terrorist devices. In collaboration with military, federal, state, and local agencies, the IDD subgroup identifies, validates, and prioritizes multi-agency user requirements through an ongoing generation and prioritization process.

EXPLOSIVE FORCES OF IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES Before anyone can start to study these events and digest the design, construct, and methods chosen by terrorists, it is most important to understand the basics of explosives, explosive forces, and how they work.

IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES During the 18th and 19th of October, it was held the first NATO International Symposium “On Countering Improvised Explosive Devices” in Madrid. In the frame of the Conference of National Armament Directors (CNAD) for Defense Against Terrorism (DAT), Spain assumed the leading role on the topic “On Countering Improvised Explosive Devices”. As a first step within this leading initiative, the Spanish Directorate of Armament assumed the organization of the Symposium. This assignment supposed a challenge for the Directorate, that has been successfully overcome within very short time, thanks to the thrust of his director, Lieutenant General Carlos Villar Turrau.

Protecting People and Facilities From Improvised Explosive Devices ... Pipe Bombs and other Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) pose a serious threat to federal, state, and local government facilities considering how easily and inexpensively they can be put together. Schools, shopping malls, stadiums and other public places are also potential targets for terrorist attacks considering how freely people can walk around and through these types of public facilities.

Detection of Command-Initiated Improvised Explosive Devices Using ... All active electronic devices radiate electromagnetic energy. Radio receivers (not just the transmitters) may be significant sources of electromagnetic radiation. The radiation from radio receivers might be used to detect improvised electronic devices (IEDs) as the receiver must be active to function, as electrical activity is easily coupled to the receiver antenna and then radiated, and as the radiated signal is often unique to the receiver.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Convoy Protection Improvised explosive devices are currently being used to target coalition forces/personnel soft targets, HUMVEEs and other thin-skinned vehicles. Insurgents typically plant the devices along major supply and travel routes, usually under cover of darkness, and detonate them remotely as the target vehicles pass. As a result, IEDs represent a relatively low-risk means for mounting attacks.

Landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) The following method can be used by soldiers in areas where landmines and IED's are prevalent (like Afghanistan and Iraq). Scroll down to view "Video Clips"). Used correctly, soldiers will give themselves at least a few steps before encountering the mine. We have used the method effectively for years in the environmental (buried drums, pipelines, wellheads, etc.) and archeological (pottery, grave sites, fences, etc.) fields. The technique involves a few wires or rods that can be carried in one's shirt or coat pocket. Conventional landmine detection equipment is heavy, bulky, expensive, limited to metals and available to a few highly-trained individuals only. The basic technology has not changed since its origin in the 1940's.

Infantry Weapons - Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Improvised Explosive Devices (or IED's) may be created using various household chemicals or military components in the right combustible combinations. Various packages can also be used to deliver the bomb - from paper bags and steel pipes (pipe bombs) to card board boxes and milk crates. Other packages that have been used include mortar and howitzer shells.

JURY-RIGGED: Improvised Explosive Devices Simple to make yet difficult to stop, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are proving perfect weapons for insurgents. In Iraq, the U.S. military is searching frantically for high-tech answers to combat these low-tech weapons.

Sappers Become Improvised Explosive Device Hunters in Iraq When soldiers conduct convoys in Iraq, they try to watch out for and stay far away from improvised explosive devices. For the Sappers of Company B, 65th Engineer Battalion attached to Task Force 1- 27 Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, it's a little different. When the Sappers perform route clearances, their intent is to hunt down these IEDs and make sure they get destroyed.

Miscellaneous Explosives Used As Improvised Explosive Devices

Terrorist weapons; Bombs (IED) One of the preferred weapons of the modern (and historical) terrorist is the bomb or Improvised Explosive Device (IED). As a terrorist weapon bombs are perfect allowing the terrorist to strike at considerable distance with great destructive effect and most importantly be nowhere near when the bomb goes off. Bombs are ideal for attacks carried out for the Propaganda of the Deed, as they can be very destructive but by using coded warnings the terrorists can choose to reduce or even eliminate civilian casualties.

IED (Improvised Explosive Device) Game - IED Vigilance: www.IEDVigilance.com features a serious game designed to teach techniques for defeating IEDs, or Improvised Explosive Devices. These devious booby traps can be injurious or fatal if not detected and disarmed, destroyed or avoided.

Scary Explosive - Easy construction of an IED Device This clip shows how easy a IED device can be constructed and shows the power of just one drop of binary explosive. Pretty scary.

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