INTRODUCTION
GAIN ATTENTION
The enemy's ability to manufacture, deploy and utilize improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has the potential to leave a large impact on the ability of Marine units and individual Marines to accomplish their mission. This is especially true while conducting Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW). These devices may range from pipe bombs, through small quantities of plastic explosives, to over a ton of homemade explosives.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this period of instruction is to familiarize the individual Marine with some of the characteristics and considerations while operating in an urban environment that may be rife with IEDs.
INDIVIDUAL TRAINING STANDARDS
SS21.02.09
MISSION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Without the aid of references and in accordance with MCWP 3-34, the student will be able to demonstrate the immediate actions drills that are associated with responding to an IED.
ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Identify what constitutes an IED.
2. Know the two types of IEDs.
3. Know the immediate action drills associated with IED detection or
contact.
4. Know the incident control point considerations.
5. Demonstrate circumventing an IED.
6. Demonstrate marking an IED.
METHOD AND MEDIA
This period of instruction will be taught through lecture and demonstration.
TESTING
This period of instruction will be tested through the use of practical application during situational training exercises.
TRANSITION
BODY
1. Identifying an IED:
a. An IED can come in many shapes and sizes, (MOUT Homepage note: The producers of IEDs can be very inventive and will have "done their homework" - disguising IEDs as items they believe will seem unimportant or attractive for a Marine to investigate or pick up) some examples are:
1) Cigarette pack
2) Post card
3) Fire extinguisher
4) Package
5) Clock
6) Mouse trap
7) Medicine bottle
8) Beer can
9) Weapon
10) Souvenirs (especially "war" items - uniform items - 782 gear - etc.)
11) MOUT Homepage note: Without saying that "everything" may be an IED in an
urban environment, it is important to remember that many items that are out of
place within a certain setting or those that are very "enticing" should be
viewed as suspect.
b. As diverse as an IED may be, the detonators used to set the IED off can be just as varied. Examples include:
1) Pressure
2) Pressure release
3) Tension
4) Tension release
5) Mercury switch
6) Barometric
7) Light
8) Sound
9) Collapsing circuit
10) Time delay
11) Gas
12) Command detonation
13) MOUT Homepage note: As stated above, without saying that "everything" may
be an IED, everything mentioned above may not be a detonator. The key for all
small unit leaders is to maintain "situational awareness" and to key on those
items or events that are out of place or unusual. Often, this is simply a
"gut feeling" that comes from experience and observation of those events or
items that are out of the normal routine or setting. The small unit leader
MUST endeavor to force himself to "pay attention to detail" and be able to
discern the unusual from the routine. This is especially important when
conducting MOUT; where the interaction with the civilian populace; and the
varied and often overwhelming three-dimensional urban terrain, can distract
the small unit leader from the task at hand as well as the command and control
of his unit.
c. IED locations are also varied; when approaching or entering an urban objective, some historically successful locations must be considered. Again, these locations are not all inclusive, some of most popular are:
1) The approaches to the objective.
2) Furniture or other obstacles pulled away from the walls.
3) Stairwells (ladder wells).
4) On another IED.
2. Types of IEDs:
a. Primary devices can include but are not limited to:
1) Car bombs.
2) Truck bombs.
3) Improvised grenades.
4) Bombs inside public places such as night clubs, markets, shopping malls and transportation centers.
b. Secondary devices are designed to detonate and kill personnel such as police, military and rescue workers after the primary device has gone off. Common locations are but are not limited to:
1) Trash cans.
2) Doors.
3) Automobiles.
4) Train/bus station lockers.
3. Circumventing an IED:
a. Before moving outside or inside of the objective, a Marine must visually clear his path of IEDs. This is the reason that keeping his weapon off the face/eye and foot placement are so important. The Marine must have clear vision at all times.
b. If an IED is found, the Marine who identifies it will inform the rest of the team using a brevity code, mark the IED, and position himself to prevent other Marines from approaching it. If the IED is located within a room he will stand by the door holding a chemlight until Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel arrive. He will then mark the room with another colored chemlight.
4. Marking an IED:
a. Maintaining security on the IED, it will be marked with tape, spray paint or a red chemlight.
5. Reaction Drills:
Reaction drills are best remembered by using the four “C’s”: Confirm, Clear, Cordon and Control.
a. Confirm – The device can be confirmed by anyone, from a local civilian who reports it to a member of the security force. An explosion can also be classified as confirmation. The confirmation drill is divided into three phases:
1) Questioning of potential witnesses – detailed questioning must take place and the information collected passed up the chain of command.
2) Long range confirmation – if no reliable witnesses are available a reconnaissance of the area can be done from a safe distance using optical devices such as binoculars. In a squad sized situation; the squad leader will , if the ground permits, attempt to deploy his teams around the suspected IED area at points no closer than 75 to 100 meters. Teams should move into observation points as quick as possible. Positions should provide cover from possible secondary devices (if there was already an explosion). If nothing suspicious is noted, then a short range confirmation is conducted.
3) Short range confirmation – this action is ordered by the squad leader and carried out by one Marine in order to minimize the risk to additional squad members. The Marine selected must be briefed to approach the suspected IED area by a safe route and to utilize any available cover along that route. This Marine carries out a quick, but effective, examination of the area. If nothing is found, this is reported to higher headquarters and the squad continues its original mission. If a device is found, the following information is reported:
a) What it is
b) Where it is
c) When it was placed or found
d) Was any warning given
e) Was anything done to the device
After the report, the squad will then clear.
b. Clear – The area is cleared of all civilians, the clearance distance depends on the size of the device. For hand-held devices (up to 30 pounds) the distance is a minimum of 100 meters. For anything over 30 pounds a clearance distance of 200 meters is used. Larger distances may be required it the IED is a suspected vehicle bomb. The bottom line here is to use common sense when determining the size of the area to be cleared.
1) Clearing considerations:
a) Begin clearing the area nearest the IED working away from the device.
b) Move quickly and firmly.
c) Move out of the line of sight of the device.
2) Clearing steps:
a) Knock on doors and identify your self as a U.S. Marine.
b) Inform the occupants or those on street about a possible bomb and of its location.
c) Inform the occupants or those on the street of the location of a safe area and the shortest safe route to that area.
If some people refuse to leave, make a record of this and pass this location on to police or bomb disposal personnel when they arrive. Once the area is cleared of all those willing to leave the area is then cordoned.
c. Cordon – The role of cordon operations is to keep people out of the area and to protect those personnel working in it. The squad leader should have selected initial cordon positions during his planning phase. If a device has already detonated, remind all personnel about the dangers of secondary IEDs.
1) Cordon considerations:
a) Use cover and avoid line of sight of the device.
b) Be at the safe limit that was determined by estimating the size of the device.
c) Check for gaps that would allow people to reenter the area.
d) Search the cordon position before use (20 meter radius check).
e) After establishing a cordon position mark it with mine tape or vehicle.
f) Remember the risk of attack, select a good firing point, look outward and remain alert.
d. Control – The incident commander is the commander on the ground (not at a removed command post for example). This may be the squad leader or a more senior commander that arrives on the scene. However, this transition does not take place until there is a thorough briefing. The incident commander has two Marines who assist him in his duties, the scribe and the cordon commander. The scribe is responsible for recording all pertinent information related to the incident.
1) Incident Commander Actions:
a) Check every cordon position and ensure that all Marines know the location of the device, the location of the incident control point (ICP) and a safe route to the ICP.
b) This check includes that all cordon positions are set up properly and that they are marked.
c) Keep all Marines informed of the progress of the operation.
2) Considerations:
a) Marines moving forward in direct support of EOD or other personnel.
b) The quick reaction force and its possible use.
c) The company command group.
d) Local law enforcement.
e) Bomb disposal unit.
f) Local emergency services.
g) Selection of an ICP.
6. ICP Considerations:
a. Safe distance from the device.
b. Avoid obvious locations (may come under attack or a location of a secondary device).
c. A large safe area may be needed to accommodate emergency vehicles or special equipment.
d. Check the selected area for any secondary devices.
7. Other Considerations and Issues:
a. Always keep the Marines conducting the cordon informed, warn them prior to EOD detonation of the device (if that is done).
b. After EOD and or/other agencies have completed their tasks let people back into the area in this order:
1) Commercial key holders.
2) Residential key holders.
3) General public.
QUESTIONS
SUMMARY
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