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110714-N-TH989- MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan. (July 14, 2011) JSAS graduation (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan David Chandler/Released)

Photo by MC2 (AW) Jonathan David Chandler

Afghans graduate from explosive hazard reduction course

22 Jul 2011 | Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Chandler II Marine Expeditionary Force

Twenty-four soldiers with the Afghan National Security Forces graduated from the Explosive Hazard Reduction Course at Joint Sustainment Academy Southwest, here, July 14.

The course prepared members of the Afghan National Army, Uniformed Police and Border Police to know how to react when they encounter IEDs, the basics of insurgent IED tactics, how to handle and eliminate unexploded ordnance and munitions.

“We teach the students how to find IEDs and then how to eliminate them,” said Staff Sgt. William Genochio, operations chief for JSAS, and a native of Independence, Mo.

The ANSF students were taught to locate, identify and disarm victim-operated IEDs such as pressure plate and trip wires devices.

“Eighty percent of the IEDs found in Helmand are found by human eyes, so we drill it into them the importance of locating these IEDs so the Afghan people can feel safe to carry out their daily business,” said Genochio.

The soldiers will apply the training they completed to their respective units around Helmand province.
II Marine Expeditionary Force