FORT POLK, La. -- "This is the best dismounted (improvised explosive device) indicator lane that I have ever seen," said Chuck Launderville, a counter-IED integration cell, or C12C, member from Fort Bragg, N.C. during a visit to the 162nd C-IED training lane June 9. CI2C representatives from Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; and Fort Stewart, Ga.; as well as two representatives from the 1st Army IED Master Trainer Program at Camp Shelby, Miss., visited the 162nd Infantry Brigade C-IED training conducted by A Company, 4th Battalion, 353rd Infantry Regiment, 162nd Inf Bde on North Fort Polk.
A Company provides C-IED training to combat advisors preparing to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. The combat advisors range from experienced Army veterans with multiple combat deployments to Air Force and Navy personnel with little or no combat experience or training.
Day one of the two-day training involves classroom instruction that contains an equal mix of lecture presentations and hands-on training activities that culminates with the dismounted IED indicator lane.
The entire second day focuses on a mounted situational training exercise.
C-IED training has evolved over the last year as 1,250 combat advisors were trained prior to their deployments. Much of the development occurred because of the unique collaboration between A Company, the Joint Readiness Training Center IED-Cell, the Army Center of Excellence at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., and the CI2C lead, Roger Lewis, at Fort Polk. "The IED threat is ever-changing," said Sgt. 1st Class Gerald Pickett, A Co NCOIC.
"Not only do we have to adjust our training to meet that threat, we continually look for ways to improve how we conduct our training. What you see today is much different than one year ago."
One of the unique features of A Co's training is the emphasis on hands-on training versus lecture presentations. "The goal is that for every hour spent in training, 20 minutes take place in the classroom and 40 minutes are spent doing hands-on tasks and practical exercises," said Pickett. Practical exercises include terrain board exercises, CREW (counter radio/electronic warfare) confidence demonstration, operation of mounted and dismounted CREW systems, writing and sending an explosive hazard spot report, and more.
The dismounted IED indicator lane is the culminating event for day one of the training. Combat advisors conduct a dismounted patrol along a one-half mile long road while they search for indicators of IEDs. In addition to inert IEDs ranging from 155mm artillery rounds to deep buried sacks of homemade explosives, there are simulators that fire a burst of compressed air and talc powder. "The IEDs and simulators are carefully placed to reinforce critical points learned throughout the day," said 1st Sgt. William Schneider, A Co.
This is the third visit to the 162nd C-IED training from CI2C leads around the country. Experts in the C-IED fight themselves, the men found something to take away from the visit that they could apply to their own training.
"Thanks in large part to the support from the JRTC IED Cell, ACOE, and the CI2C at Fort Polk, the 162nd C-IED training continues to improve," said Lt. Col. Curtis Hudson, commander, 4th Bn, 353rd Inf Reg. He added that A Company can provide C-IED training to home station units with prior notification.
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