In recent days, the soldiers of the Italian contingent on a mission in Afghanistan completed the specialization course in "Explosive Hazard Reduction", at the Italian base of Camp Arena, in favor of 12 policemen and soldiers of the Afghan security forces, obtaining the qualification for expeditious reclamation of explosive devices.
The training carried out
The course, which lasted 4 weeks, was developed as part of the training program organized by the instructors of the Italian Armed Forces of the Military AdviseTeam (MAT), with the aim of reducing the number of accidents involving local Security Forces and especially the population. civilian, on the occasion of the discovery of mines, unexploded ammunition and Improvised Explosive Device (IED), or bombs made with unconventional materials.
Through the learning of accurate techniques for approaching explosives, securing the area, positioning of explosive charges and subsequent reclamation with quick blast, the newly qualified, military and police, will operate without jeopardizing their lives and protecting, consequently, the civil population that appears to be among the main victims of explosions.
The course ended with a practical exercise, in which the local security forces have ventured into the use of individual explosive charges for the rapid demolition of some unexploded missile simulacra, allowing the students themselves to conduct, independently, a quick remediation.
The objectives of the mission
The remediation of the bombs is part of the training plans (Train) and consultancy (Advise and Assist), which are currently carried out by Italian instructors in favor of the Police and the Army. As required by the "Resolute Support" mandate, these activities contribute to the achievement of the final objective, which is to make local security forces able to operate in total autonomy.
