Story & Photo: GPG BASIC TRAINING C-IED www.fragoutmag.com
A convoy of three cars slowly moves through a dirty road. Inside of each car, armed security personnel carefully watch snow-covered terrain and search for an ambush. They try to find any detail, not matching with surroundings. Nothing like that can be seen. TRAINING
Difficu Diffi cult ltt ter erra rain ra i, wi in wind ndin nd ing in g ro roa ad and num ad umer erou er ous ou hill hi llss se s ri r ou o sl s y re edu duce ce vis isib ibil i it ity y ra rang ng ge. The en th e ca ars slowl lo owl w y dr driv ive e on a low w hil ill. l. Whe h n th e co con nvoy vo y ta take ke es th e co corn rner er,, an IED D sud dde d nl nly y ex e pl plod odes od e es iin n fro ront nt of th e fir first st veh ehic icle le.. Th The e mome ment me nt of si sille enc nce e an and d or orde ders rs of th e comm mmande mm er ec echo hoes ho es on tth he ra radi dio. o. Thi hiss "d "dea ath zon ne" mus ustt be lef e t im im-medi diat atel e y. The here e is a VI VIP P in n sec econ ond on d ve vehi hhi cle e an and d his hiis sa safe fety fe ty is th mo most st imp m or o ta tant nt now ow.. Two Tw o ca cars rs pas asss th e da dama mage ma ged ge d ve vehi hicl cle, cl e lea e, eavi ving vi ng iitts cr c ew w and dep e ar arti ting ti ng.. Th ng Then en,, sh en shot otss ar ot are e fir fire ed ed from fr om ano noth r er hil illl th y ey pas ass. s... s. These are not flashbacks from Afghanistan, but one of exercises carried out during "Counter Improvised Explosive Device C-IED - basic level" training course by Global Protection Group (or GPG). The five day training was dedicated to feel participants with fundamental knowledge, enabling m to operate in every region of world where IED attacks could be a potential threat. The events that took place in Paris or Brussels recently clearly testify that war against terrorism is back in Europe and each of us can become its victim. According to se facts training was prepared for and attended by www.fragoutmag.com
TRAINING representatives of military special forces, Border Guard and civilians - future PMCs. The training has been prepared in accordance with guidelines contained in NATO AJP 3.15 - Alied joint doctrine for countering improvised explosive device. During course planning following documents were used: SACT NATO Directive No. 75-2 / Q, NATO SHAPE No. SH / J3EW / 06, AJP 3.15 B. doctrine and on basis of se documents range of basic skills allowing to identify, respond to threats and to act in case of an IEDs attach has been defined. The first stage, basic level of course is unified and common for all services responsible for security - both military, law enforcement or private security. Depending on specific work performed by participants during second part of course (advanced level), emphasis is put on specific subjects. During five days long classes, ten hours a day, students received a great portion of knowledge from GPG instructors. They learned how to identify IEDs and potential suicide bombers threats. They learned features unveiling improvised explosive
devices and safety procedures. They studied how to use UXO and IEDs detection equipment, and also learned procedures in case of entering into mined area. They also learned how to respond to threats and attacks using IEDs and to report such incidents. It was extremely wide range of elementary knowledge for every person responsible for safety and security. Experience of instructors, good schedule and organization of course allowed us to extend scope of training. Thanks to that participants acquired key skills of organization and operating at checkpoints, searching and using "jammers" right at basic stage. They also performed exercises related to convoys organisation in area with risk of IED attacks and complex ambushes. Situations arising during practical training consolidated knowledge acquired during lectures in best way. The boulder-shaped landmine booby-trap or problems with search of a suspect have already gone down in history. However, mistakes are not made by persons who do nothing refore students did not have an easy nut to crack. They www.fragoutmag.com
TRAINING had to fulfill tasks and n were evaluated by most experienced C-IED trainers in Poland, having behind a series of tours in Afghanistan and Iraq and NATO instructor licenses. The Global Protection Group training base of located in south-western Poland and gives full freedom in organizing practical exercises. Students could carry out ir task in large area that allows to perform convoy exercises with use of firearms and simulators. Mobile checkpoints, where skills of escalation of force were improved, were set on roads. Special forces soldiers participating in course praised comprehensive preparation for given tasks as well as flexibility in ir implementation. All students were under impression of knowledge of GPG instructors... as well as delicious food served during training. Soon, anor trainings such as identifying of dangerous objects and explosives (EOR) and C-IED (advanced level) are going to be organized. It will be next chance to meet GPG experts.