Scott
09-19-2009, 12:07 PM
Ahead of their deployment to Afghanistan next month, a squadron of sappers from 33 Engineer Regiment have completed their final stage of training with deadly live explosives and munitions.
Following a rigorous six-month package of training, 100 members of 49 Field Squadron (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) are deploying in October as part of 11 Light Brigade.
49 Fd Sqn (EOD) underwent training with live explosives and munitions at the MOD Shoeburyness test and evaluation range in Essex last week as part of a package designed to test their skills when dealing with explosives and improvised explosive devices to the limit before their deployment.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/StonedSOD/GenerateThumbnailaspx.jpg
Controlled explosion at the MOD Shoeburyness proving ground
The three-day training event at Shoeburyness allowed the Sappers to get up close to live munitions, handle live explosives and carry out a number of controlled explosions in preparation for the real thing.
Captain Gareth Bateman, Second-in-Command of 49 Fd Sqn (EOD), will be based in Camp Bastion, the largest British base in Helmand, as he oversees the work of his men on operations. He said:
"The training here at Shoeburyness has been the final step of six months of preparations, making sure that the training is fresh in the minds of us all before we get out there so we can do the best job possible.
"We've been able to get hands-on with a range of munitions and have been able to test the full range of techniques, including some of the more scientific methods through to the big controlled explosions."
Afghanistan has suffered conflict for decades and there are estimated to be many thousands of unexploded devices littering the countryside, from huge anti-tank mines to rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.
Not only do theses devices pose a deadly threat to Afghan civilians and coalition forces, but the Taliban have been able to use them to build the deadly improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which are increasingly taking their toll on the coalition, Afghan forces and Afghan civilians.
49 Fd Sqn (EOD) will focus on removing the threat that discarded devices pose, as well as assisting in dealing with the IEDs deployed by the insurgents:
"We are really looking forward to this tour," said Captain Bateman. "Many of us have already been to Iraq or Afghanistan before so we have a level of experience, but there are some for whom this will be the first time away. We are well prepared for the job at hand."
Accompanying the Sappers' squadron will be the first ever Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Officer to deploy to Afghanistan, Petty Officer (Diver) Jai Gardner, whose parent unit, the Northern Diving Group, is based in Faslane.
PO(D) Gardner has completed the full training package as part of 49 Fd Sqn (EOD) and, along with three other Navy personnel, brings a breadth of skill and experience to the team:
"Of course there has been a bit of trepidation," he admitted. "It's the first time for some of the lads but we are all more than confident in the training.
"I sometimes think that the families at home don't get to see the full extent of the preparations that we undergo but I hope it will reassure them to know that we are ready and, personally, I can't wait to get out and smash it up!"
Colonel Christopher Claydon, Assistant Head of Force Protection, runs the MOD's efforts to counter the threat of IEDs to British troops. He visited 49 Fd Sqn (EOD) during the training event:
"Countering the threat of IEDs is Defence's number one priority," said Colonel Claydon. "Having defeated the insurgency in face-to-face, conventional combat they have been forced to adopt the use of the roadside bomb and hidden device with the tragic loss of life amongst our forces, but we must also be aware of the very high number of casualties these bombs are inflicting on innocent Afghan civilians and security forces.
"Our approach to keeping our troops safe is three-fold," he continued. "First, we focus on training our forces so that they have the highest skills to spot the devices, to be aware of where they are likely to be laid and how to react.
"Then we must try and defeat the device through equipping our forces with the best personal protection and a range of armoured vehicles which through a combination of manoeuvrability and armour allow them to do the range of tasks in the challenging environment of Afghanistan.
"Finally, we will continue to take the fight to the enemy. Our offensive capability - using intelligence-gathering techniques, including unmanned air vehicles - enables us to identify who is responsible, from the man laying or building the device to those funding the network, and take action against them.
"The training that I saw was absolutely first-class," concluded Colonel Claydon. "These soldiers are clearly ready and will play a vital role in keeping British forces safe, as well as protecting Afghans and our partners in the coalition. I wish them the best of luck for their tour."
MOD Shoeburyness is a unique range, operated in partnership with QinetiQ, which provides a testing ground for a full range of materials from guided missiles to aircraft engines.
The facility gives Service EOD specialists the opportunity to test their skills on live munitions from the smallest of artillery shells to huge 1,000lb (455kg) bombs and multiple-weapon caches - similar to those they could encounter in Afghanistan.
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Operations in Afghanistan
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Afghan Army adds combat camera capability with UK help
A British military team has just completed the first ever course to train Combat...18 Sep 09
BBC documentary given unprecedented access to rehabilitation of injured soldiers
A new BBC documentary, 'Wounded', follows two soldiers injured on operations in...18 Sep 09
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A Hollywood star known for his tough screen roles was so moved by the sacrifices...18 Sep 09
Sappers complete IED training for Afghanistan deployment
Ahead of their deployment to Afghanistan next month, a squadron of sappers from...18 Sep 09
Read more Afghanistan stories
See all In Depth stories
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33 Engineer Regiment
Corps of Royal Engineers
11 Light Brigade
QinetiQ
Defence News Blog
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Bomb disposal hero's colleagues teach Afghans about IED threat
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Following a rigorous six-month package of training, 100 members of 49 Field Squadron (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) are deploying in October as part of 11 Light Brigade.
49 Fd Sqn (EOD) underwent training with live explosives and munitions at the MOD Shoeburyness test and evaluation range in Essex last week as part of a package designed to test their skills when dealing with explosives and improvised explosive devices to the limit before their deployment.
http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w10/StonedSOD/GenerateThumbnailaspx.jpg
Controlled explosion at the MOD Shoeburyness proving ground
The three-day training event at Shoeburyness allowed the Sappers to get up close to live munitions, handle live explosives and carry out a number of controlled explosions in preparation for the real thing.
Captain Gareth Bateman, Second-in-Command of 49 Fd Sqn (EOD), will be based in Camp Bastion, the largest British base in Helmand, as he oversees the work of his men on operations. He said:
"The training here at Shoeburyness has been the final step of six months of preparations, making sure that the training is fresh in the minds of us all before we get out there so we can do the best job possible.
"We've been able to get hands-on with a range of munitions and have been able to test the full range of techniques, including some of the more scientific methods through to the big controlled explosions."
Afghanistan has suffered conflict for decades and there are estimated to be many thousands of unexploded devices littering the countryside, from huge anti-tank mines to rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.
Not only do theses devices pose a deadly threat to Afghan civilians and coalition forces, but the Taliban have been able to use them to build the deadly improvised explosive devices (IEDs) which are increasingly taking their toll on the coalition, Afghan forces and Afghan civilians.
49 Fd Sqn (EOD) will focus on removing the threat that discarded devices pose, as well as assisting in dealing with the IEDs deployed by the insurgents:
"We are really looking forward to this tour," said Captain Bateman. "Many of us have already been to Iraq or Afghanistan before so we have a level of experience, but there are some for whom this will be the first time away. We are well prepared for the job at hand."
Accompanying the Sappers' squadron will be the first ever Royal Navy Bomb Disposal Officer to deploy to Afghanistan, Petty Officer (Diver) Jai Gardner, whose parent unit, the Northern Diving Group, is based in Faslane.
PO(D) Gardner has completed the full training package as part of 49 Fd Sqn (EOD) and, along with three other Navy personnel, brings a breadth of skill and experience to the team:
"Of course there has been a bit of trepidation," he admitted. "It's the first time for some of the lads but we are all more than confident in the training.
"I sometimes think that the families at home don't get to see the full extent of the preparations that we undergo but I hope it will reassure them to know that we are ready and, personally, I can't wait to get out and smash it up!"
Colonel Christopher Claydon, Assistant Head of Force Protection, runs the MOD's efforts to counter the threat of IEDs to British troops. He visited 49 Fd Sqn (EOD) during the training event:
"Countering the threat of IEDs is Defence's number one priority," said Colonel Claydon. "Having defeated the insurgency in face-to-face, conventional combat they have been forced to adopt the use of the roadside bomb and hidden device with the tragic loss of life amongst our forces, but we must also be aware of the very high number of casualties these bombs are inflicting on innocent Afghan civilians and security forces.
"Our approach to keeping our troops safe is three-fold," he continued. "First, we focus on training our forces so that they have the highest skills to spot the devices, to be aware of where they are likely to be laid and how to react.
"Then we must try and defeat the device through equipping our forces with the best personal protection and a range of armoured vehicles which through a combination of manoeuvrability and armour allow them to do the range of tasks in the challenging environment of Afghanistan.
"Finally, we will continue to take the fight to the enemy. Our offensive capability - using intelligence-gathering techniques, including unmanned air vehicles - enables us to identify who is responsible, from the man laying or building the device to those funding the network, and take action against them.
"The training that I saw was absolutely first-class," concluded Colonel Claydon. "These soldiers are clearly ready and will play a vital role in keeping British forces safe, as well as protecting Afghans and our partners in the coalition. I wish them the best of luck for their tour."
MOD Shoeburyness is a unique range, operated in partnership with QinetiQ, which provides a testing ground for a full range of materials from guided missiles to aircraft engines.
The facility gives Service EOD specialists the opportunity to test their skills on live munitions from the smallest of artillery shells to huge 1,000lb (455kg) bombs and multiple-weapon caches - similar to those they could encounter in Afghanistan.
Defence News
in this section:
* People In Defence
* Military Operations
* Equipment and Logistics
* Defence Policy and Business
* Training and Adventure
* Estate and Environment
* History and Honour
* Royal Navy
* British Army
* Royal Air Force
* In Depth
* News Archive
* Press Centre
Afghanistan blog
Operations in Afghanistan
Operations in Afghanistan
Afghan Army adds combat camera capability with UK help
A British military team has just completed the first ever course to train Combat...18 Sep 09
BBC documentary given unprecedented access to rehabilitation of injured soldiers
A new BBC documentary, 'Wounded', follows two soldiers injured on operations in...18 Sep 09
Hollywood hard man visits UK Forces in Helmand
A Hollywood star known for his tough screen roles was so moved by the sacrifices...18 Sep 09
Sappers complete IED training for Afghanistan deployment
Ahead of their deployment to Afghanistan next month, a squadron of sappers from...18 Sep 09
Read more Afghanistan stories
See all In Depth stories
Related Links
33 Engineer Regiment
Corps of Royal Engineers
11 Light Brigade
QinetiQ
Defence News Blog
Subscribe to MOD email updates
Defence Headquarters on YouTube
Related News
Bomb disposal hero's colleagues teach Afghans about IED threat
British Army defuses massive bomb in Northern Ireland
Afghan civilians given awareness training in explosive ordnance
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Please select your rating:
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