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Sailors, Airmen find IED detection a blast

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kyle Reeves
  • 319th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen received improvised explosive device detection pre-deployment training at Forward Observation Base Liberty, a training venue at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

The three-day course, conducted by trainer mentors from the 174th Infantry Brigade, is given to servicemembers during pre-deployment training in order to educate them on how to identify, secure and report IEDs.

The training includes a combination of classroom and hands-on instruction similar to what they might experience in a real-world environment.

"The ability to detect and secure an IED can lessen the possibility of servicemember injuries or fatalities while deployed," said Master Sgt. Mark Crosby, noncommissioned officer in charge.

For some Sailors and Airman who have experienced very little ground warfare, the training is a first time encounter with IEDs.

"I have been in for 29 years," said Cmdr. Carl Sullivan a Warfare Officer with Navy Information Operations. "This is my first big land mission. I would like to go out at the end of my career making as big a difference as I possibly can. I'm really grateful for the training."

The 174th trainer mentors are responsible for providing this scenarios base instruction which will better prepare servicemembers for deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan where IEDs are common.

"I think they did a very good job," said Sullivan. "I thought it was well thought out and designed. It pushed our team, and has helped us learn."

IED training has not always been so hands-on.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Lucas with the 451st Civil Affairs Battalion has 16 years prior service in the U.S. Marine Corps and has undergone IED training in the past.

"We were put in a classroom where we were just shown what an IED looks like," said Lucas. "In this set of instructions there has been more movement scenarios, it's hands-on, which force you to be more observant."

Lucas stressed the importance of receiving the training prior to deploying.

"The enemy out there is hard to identify," said Lucas. "The course is a good way of showing you the possible things you will encounter. It keeps you aware that you are vulnerable to the enemy's attack."

Sullivan added that joint force training has been an enriching experience for his team.
"This is a land war the Army has been primarily fighting," said Sullivan. "The Navy has been assisting and providing support, and in many cases, providing unique skill capabilities that can make a difference over there."

"We may be different services branches, but we are all brothers in arms."