Route Clearence, Patrolling and IED Detection

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- Col. Ahmed Khalifa, commander, engineers, 6th Iraqi Army Division, watches the progress of a Multi Agile Remote Control robot toward an improvised-explosive device here Friday during "Capstone" training conducted by Soldiers from Multi-National Division -- Baghdad's 5th Engineer Battalion, 16th Engineer Brigade. IA soldiers showed their prowess on route clearing, patrolling and IED detection and disposal during lanes training. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kevin Lovel, 363rd MPAD)
ID: 29097
Photographer: Staff Sgt. Kevin Lovel
363rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

IA Combat Engineers Prove Prowess
Written by Staff Sgt. Kevin Lovel, 363rd MPAD
Posted on 09.01.2006 at 01:39pm

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Engineer soldiers from the 6th Iraqi Army Division proved their prowess on the latest methods of route clearance, patrolling and improvised-explosive device detection Friday during “Capstone” training conducted here by Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad’s 5th Engineer Battalion, 16th Engineer Brigade.

The ability of IA engineers to fight terrorism and keep the roads safe for local residents is important for the future of the Iraq, said Sgt. 1st Class Richard Seville, assistant operations sergeant and combat engineer, 5th Eng. Bn., 16th Eng. Bde.

“They’re the future for their country. The more (IEDs) they find, the more it validates our training,” said Seville. “The lane training is important to tie everything in. It’s better for them to learn from their mistakes here, take the learning to heart and improve. They’re hard workers and they want to make a difference. I get on them just like my own troops. They’re learning and that’s the main thing.”

The U.S. engineers agreed that the future of Iraq depends on the ability of Iraqi Security Forces to become fully capable of stabilizing the country so the Iraqi government can stand on its own and work towards democracy.

“Every day that we do (training), you see them using more and more of what they have learned in class,” said Capt. Luis Gonzalez, combat engineer and explosive ordnance disposal advisor to the 6th IAD. “We’re getting these guys trained so that they can be effective in the greater Baghdad area,” said Gonzalez.

IA explosive ordnance disposal soldiers take part in the training as
well. When their counterpart IA combat engineers find an IED and secure the area, they are called to eliminate the threat, said Gonzalez. “We have EOD embedded in their engineer formation, just like in our Army,” he said.

Many of the IA soldiers appreciated the experience, knowledge, expertise and the camaraderie MND-B Soldiers shared with them.
“I see some special guys (MND-B Soldiers). They are disciplined, polite and they give us experience and knowledge that they have,” said Col. Ahmed Khalifa, commander, 6th IAD Engineers.
Khalifa said his soldiers enjoyed working with their MND-B counterparts.

“They love the training. They can’t wait until morning when they can train again,” said Khalifa.

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