Task force set up to fight IED menace
Volume 11, No. 47, July 13, 2006
By Cpl Mike McSweeney

A NEW task force has been set up to counter the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) threat to ADF personnel deployed on operations.

CDF ACM Angus Houston ordered the formation of the Canberra-based ADF Counter IED Task Force (ADF CIED TF) to counter the growing global threat posed by IEDs.
Lt -Col Adam Boyd, Task Force SO1 Ops/Coord, said IEDs presented a significant and enduring threat.

“Currently there are about 2000 IED incidents per month in Iraq and around 80 in Afghanistan,” he said.

“The recent attempted IED attacks on AMTG convoys highlight the threat.

“The task force’s main mission is to ensure that Australian Service personnel and other officials deployed on operations are trained, equipped and operate with appropriate doctrine to counter the IED threat.”
The ADF CIED TF consists of about 14 members from Army (Engineers, Ordnance, Artillery, Intelligence and Signals Corps), Navy, Air Force, DSTO and DMO.

Lt-Col Boyd said the task force staff analysed operational and intelligence material coming through, follow trends, keep the chain of command informed, and make sure ADF personnel understand the threat and train accordingly.

“We also engage organisations developing new equipment and liaise closely with our overseas and domestic equivalents such as the US Joint IED Defeat Organisation and the Australian Bomb Data Centre,” he said.
Due to the high ADF operational tempo, the task force has been very busy since it was raised on March 6. The task force coordinates CIED activities and provides a central point of contact for the ADF on whole-of-government CIED issues.

An important element of the CIED effort is the work undertaken by 6ESR’s Explosive Hazards Centre (ExHC), which delivers pre-deployment explosive hazards training. The CIEDTF and ExHC work together directly on a range of training issues, with recent efforts including the pre-deployment training of AMTG3 and the RTF.

Drawing on so many resources, the CIED TF works hard to keep its information current.

“We engage several CIED contacts who are currently deployed on operations, and also aim to speak with key personnel upon their return,” Lt-Col Boyd said.

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