Face of Defense: Mine Detection Dogs Clear Afghan Roads

By Army 1st Lt. Jeffrey Vlietstra

49th Engineer Detachment, K9

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Army Staff Sgt. Andrew Black moved back toward the mine clearance vehicle to watch from a safe distance as a team traced the wire of a suspected improvised explosive device back toward the road.

Black’s military working dog, Lobo, was held on the end of a leash as the pair took a short break after searching the last 500 meters along the road.

Suddenly, enemy forces unleashed AK-47 rifle fire. The U.S. soldiers hugged the ground and returned fire. Support vehicles joined in engaging the enemy and after five minutes, forced the attackers to withdraw.

The team lost the wire’s location during the engagement and was now scrambling to find it. Black brought Lobo up to search. Lobo walked out front, nose to the ground, with Black still on the leash close behind. After no more than 70 meters, Lobo stopped. Black called Lobo back, marked the site, and called for support. The site was inspected and 200 pounds of homemade explosive was found buried four feet down.

Black and his partner Lobo are assigned to the 49th Engineer Detachment from Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Military working dogs are trained to search for, detect and warn of buried mines, explosives and other casualty-producing devices. Handlers are experienced combat engineers who work with and direct the dog during searches.

The 49th has maintained a constant presence in Afghanistan since 2004, neutralizing the threat of mines and unexploded ordnance in support of tactical operations. The detachment deploys squads of dog teams. Mine detection dogs have proven effective in Afghanistan, capable of area reduction and delineation of minefields, route clearance, clearance verification, creation of safe lanes through mine fields, and minefield casualty extraction.

Potential handlers go through the six-month mine detection dog course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and graduate with the “K9” additional skill identifier. Potential handlers must also interview with a military kennel master. Once accepted to the school, handlers spend months with their new four-legged partners, training on obedience, explosive detection and minefield clearance, as well as studying canine behavior and behavioral conditioning techniques.

Teams arriving at the 49th Engineer Detachment immediately begin training for deployment. The senior trainer of the detachment, an experienced mine detection dog noncommissioned officer, leads the training, implementing real world scenarios. Teams also conduct training missions with units on post, units conducting pre-deployment training and field training exercises.

Mine detection dog teams are also utilized for unexploded ordnance, or UXO, clearance in support of range control. Prior to deployment, mine detection dog teams must gain certification. Mine detection dog teams travel to Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., where officials certify the teams.

The 49th’s engineers deployed to Afghanistan to work with the Mine Action Center, performing quality assurance and quality control tasks for the mine clearance of Bagram Airfield, one of the most heavily-mined areas in the world. Since 2004, the mine detection dog teams assisted in the clearance of 6.7 million square meters on Bagram Airfield.

"It's here where they show their true capability beyond the instrument search limitations," explained Australian Maj. John Riley, Mine Action Center officer-in-charge. "We would not be able to achieve the quality assurance that we provide without their support."

The 49th Engineer Detachment also assists the Mine Action Center with quick reaction force missions for vehicles, aircraft or personnel caught in minefields. Mine detection dogs are able to search more rapidly and deploy to areas unreachable by manual and mechanical means, so that a mine detection dog team is always on standby for these missions. Mine detection dog teams have been called upon many times to clear safe lanes through potentially mined areas to reach downed aircraft or stranded vehicles.

The U.S. military also employs mine detection dog teams for quality assurance and quality control of potential sites during the construction or expansion of bases and outposts. Prior to construction, mine detection dog teams deploy to the potential build site to ensure the area is free of explosives prior to construction. Since 2010, mine detection dog teams have cleared more than 250,000 square meters in preparation for site construction in Afghanistan.

In 2010, mine detection dog teams started integrating heavily into route clearance operations due to the constant improvised explosive device, or IED, and mine threat along routes in Afghanistan. Route clearance units continue to see the added value to having a mine dog team. Mine detection dog teams are able to detect the deep-buried explosives that mechanical means may not pick up. They are able to traverse routes not accessible to much of the route clearance equipment and they provide a faster means of search for deliberate clearance.

Because of their growing reputation, versatility and effectiveness record, the mine detection dog teams have made an enduring impact on the global war on terrorism and are sought after by engineer, infantry, and special operations forces to support route clearance and maneuver operations. Mine detection dogs have deployed to all regions of Afghanistan and have proven effective in any environment.

Afghan National Army works with Mississippi Army Guard unit, takes charge in providing security

By Spc. Nevada Jack Smith

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TARIN KOT, Afghanistan - Soldiers of the Afghan National Army have been working with Soldiers from the Mississippi Army National Guard’s 288th Sapper Company to enhance security in Uruzgan province by training on route clearance techniques and other advanced combat engineer skills.

 “When we first got here we assessed [the ANA] and then began training them on the basics of engineering, like clearing minefields, doing route clearance [operations] and showing them what to look for and not to look for” said Spc. Joseph Zachary Chesnut, a combat engineer with the company.

The ANA soldiers have often been eager to learn and incorporate those skills and knowledge into their daily operations.

“They grasp that it is a dangerous job and is important, and they ask questions all the time,” said Chesnut. “The fact that they retain and implement the training is a huge success.”

Each day provides a new challenge and an opportunity to hone valuable skills. The unit and their ANA counterparts are often the go-to element when it comes to missions in their area.

Recently, because of they are partnered with the ANA, who have explosive ordnance disposal technicians within their ranks, the unit and their ANA counterparts have been called out by the Afghan National Police to assist with roadside bombs that have been found, said Army 2nd Lt. Alex Armstrong, a platoon leader with the 288th Sapper Co.

As the missions unfold the ANA have been taking the lead.

“In the last few months we have been taking the ANA out and evaluating them while they are on the route, putting them in the lead,” Chesnut said.

“Our biggest role is to assist and watch them take care of it and mentor and correct as needed,” Armstrong said.

Each ANA soldier is bolstered with the capability to clear dangerous areas and help save innocent lives.

“I appreciate learning from the 288th and am happy to be working with the Americans,” said ANA 1st Lt. Ismatullah, Route Clearance Company, 4th Brigade, 205th Corps. “I have learned how to make sure the IED (improvised explosive device) has blown up and get rid of them easily.”

These skills will become irreplaceable to the ANA as coalition forces begin to withdraw from Afghanistan.

“The template for how they conduct a route clearance mission and the skill sets of combat engineering will stay with the ANA after we leave,” said Chesnut. “This will allow them the ability to think through a problem before they act.”

While the ANA are continuing to develop vital skill sets, their relationship with the ANP strengthens.

“We have introduced the ANA and ANP commanders to each other and got them working together,” said Armstrong. “That way when we leave, they will know that there are Afghans with the same capabilities as Americans.”

“Things that they have learned to rely on from us for the past ten years they now know they can rely on their own security forces for,” said Armstrong.

This shows the people that as they grow as a country, they can count on each other for support.

Combined Force Kills Several Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 10, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force killed several insurgents during a search for the leader of a Taliban attack cell in the Chimtal district of Afghanistan’s Balkh province today, military officials reported.

During the operation, a group of insurgents attacked the combined force, officials said. The force returned fire, killing all of the attackers. As the force continued its mission, another armed individual approached and threatened the force, officials said. The armed insurgent was killed by the security force.

Officials said the operation also resulted in the detention of a suspected insurgent and the seizure of multiple weapons.

In operations yesterday:

-- A combined force in the Imam Sahib district of Kunduz province detained a Taliban military chief who specialized in planning and carrying out improvised explosive device and suicide attacks.

-- A coalition airstrike killed an insurgent in Ghazni province’s Muqer district.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Ghazni’s Giro district.

-- Combined forces killed three insurgents in a firefight, killed four other insurgents during an airstrike, and detained a suspect during separate operations in Ghazni’s Ab Band district.

-- A combined force detained an insurgent in Ghazni’s Waghaz district.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Ghazni’s Qarah Bagh district.

-- In the Barak district of Logar province, a combined force found and cleared two IEDs.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Nangarhar province’s Pachir Wa Agam district.

-- In Nangarhar’s Nazyan district, a combined force found and cleared an IED.

-- A combined force detained an insurgent in Wardak province’s Sayyidabad district.

In a July 7 operation, a combined force detained two Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leaders and two other suspects in the Kunduz district of Kunduz province. The detained IMU leaders were directly involved in the construction of IEDs and their use in insurgent attacks. Both leaders are associated with senior IMU leadership and participated in high-profile suicide attack planning, including a failed attack in January, officials said.

Combined Force Detains Several Suspected Insurgents

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, July 6, 2012 – An Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban improvised explosive device expert in the Ghorak district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province today, military officials reported.

The expert constructs IEDs and supplies them to Taliban leaders throughout the region for use in attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, officials said.

In other Afghanistan operations today:

-- Officials confirmed that the Lashkar-e-Taiba insurgent leader Ammar was killed June 29 during an airstrike in the Watahpur district of Kunar province. Ammar had managed a network of insurgents and directed attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the province. The airstrike also killed the LeT leader, Khatab Shafiq, and several other insurgents. A follow-on assessment confirmed the airstrike had not injured any civilians and had not damaged any civilian property.

-- In the Terayzai district of Khost province, a combined force detained several suspected insurgents and seized one firearm and multiple grenades during a search for a Haqqani leader. The Haqqani leader plans and coordinates attacks against the Afghan government throughout the province.

-- A combined force detained two suspected insurgents during a search for a Taliban bomb maker in the Khugyani district of Nangarhar province. The Taliban bomb maker plans and coordinates attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout the region.

-- A combined force found and cleared four IEDs in Ghazni province. Two IEDs were found in the province’s Ghazni district, one in the Khwaia Omari district and one in the Gelan district.

-- A combined force detained one insurgent in Ghazni province’s Andar district.

-- A combined force discovered a weapons cache in Ghazni province’s Ab Band district. The cache contained items used to create IEDs.

-- A combined force killed one insurgent in Kunar province’s Darah Ye Pech district.

-- A combined force found and cleared an IED in Logar province’s Pul-E Alam district.

-- A combined force found and cleared four IEDs in Nangarhar province. Two IEDs were found in the province’s La’L Pur district, one in the Chapahar district and one in the Achin district.

-- A combined force killed one insurgent in Paktika province’s Orgun district.

-- A combined force discovered a weapons cache containing grenades and mortar rounds used to make IEDs in Wardak province’s Maidan Shahr district.

-- A combined force killed two insurgents in Wardak province’s Sayyidabad district. The insurgents were found with IED-making materials, small arms and ammunition.