The soldiers of the second rotation of the HDF Kabul International Airport Force Protection Contingent (HDF KAIA FPC-2) were trained in counter-improvised explosive devices (C-IED) tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) in mid-May.

It is very important that, already their pre-deployment training in Hungary, the soldiers learn how to defeat improvised explosive devices (IED), but besides that, the skill retention training in the area of operations and the preparation for countering the continuously evolving tactics are the top priorities in our days. The mentors were specially trained EOD technicians who are currently serving in Afghanistan, so they can share the latest lessons learned in this field as they encounter various kinds of IEDs almost on a daily basis.

As part of the classroom instruction, the Polish experts introduced the components needed to make IEDs at home, and the tactics that are most often used by the insurgent. In a realistic environment, the participants had opportunity to practice area search at short halts during marches, and the techniques for approaching vulnerable points (VPs). The soldiers went on a dismounted patrol on a pre-arranged training course, where they had to find an artillery shell set up as an IED and the mines concealed by their instructors on a designated route.

At the end of the training, the soldiers – who are manning the gate entry control points on a daily basis – were given useful advice on how to check vehicles arriving at the camp, and practiced the search of a car.

(HDF KAIA FPC-2 PAO)