US IED Experts Support Engineers’ Training Programme

A training team of the US Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IED) was recently in Sri Lanka to assist the conduct of a specially-designed course on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), organized by the Engineer Brigade Headquarters at Boo Oya.

The one-week long course, followed by 4 officers and 65 other ranks began on 14 November 2016 and ended on Sunday (20) after a brief ceremony, in which certificates of proficiency were awarded by visiting trainers and senior officers of the Army.

The US team comprised of 4 IED and Electronic Counter Measure experts, attached to the Asia Pacific C-IED Futon Centre, conducted the lectures with the support of translators and officer instructors.

The course curriculum contained Awareness on Improvised Explosive Devices, IED Threats, Mounted Operations in an IED Environment, Practical Exercises, Electrical Warfare, Introduction to New Equipment, Robotics Primer, Hand-held Primer, IED Disposal, Forensic Evidence, Post Blast Analysis, Specific Training in Specific Ordnance Devices, Sweep Techniques, etc.

Brigadier Amitha Seneviratne, Commander, Engineer Brigade attended the closing ceremony of the course, together with several other officers.

The main objective of the course was to develop a sound understanding IED tasks at all levels and impart knowledge on all aspects of IEDs and its compositions, handling and productions. It also aimed at educating Army personnel on peacekeeping missions on IEDs.