Ramadi, Iraq 2006
“Clear the explosive impedance to assault” was our primary objective during all combat operations. Keep the SEALs pressing forward without delay. Keep them crushing the enemy with both the ballistic threat (Active Shooter) and the explosive threat (IED) present at the same time. Any explosive hazard that got in our way during any mission, or any phase of the mission, we communicated, marked, circumvented, cleared, rigged out of the way, disrupted, blew in place or whatever was appropriate and safe at the time for my teammates and for civilians. We had no robots or bomb suits, just tactical gear, body armor, our brains, bravery and whatever EOD equipment, explosives and gear we could carry.
The insurgents’ ability to introduce the explosive threat, the IED (also referred to as the Improvised Explosive Device) was monstrously effective. Thousands of soldiers were dying very harsh deaths from these acts of extreme violence and hatred caused by IEDs. In 2006 the IED threat was more severe than ever before in history. Thirty to forty IEDs went off per day, in a city the size of my hometown, Spokane, Washington. Imagine, thirty to forty a day on average. Add in small arms fire, machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), rifle grenades and hand grenades. Now that the modern battlefield has emerged, great, add in IEDs along with everything else. Box checked….
IEDs were used every day by the insurgency. They would put bombs in anything and everything they could: inside human bodies, (dead or alive) dogs, donkeys, and goats, to name a few. They would hide IEDs anywhere they could, under freshly paved roads, sidewalks, and curbs. They used many types of initiation methods: victim operated or pressure plates, timers, remote controlled radios, long range cordless telephones, Senao base stations, command wire, a combination of all mentioned, and much more.
They would use homemade explosives, fertilizers, military ordnance, or mining explosives for their main charges. They would use accelerants like kerosene, diesel fuel or regular gas so that the victims would burn after being detonated. They would even put chemicals and heavy metals like mercury and chlorine in or around the IED to contaminate an area or the victims. They used whatever they could, modified whatever they could, and deployed them successfully. At first, it seemed chaotic, confusing, and everlasting.
We felt like we were chasing the tail of this massive, explosive monster. It seemed as if the IED was not going anywhere and that anywhere we went we were rolling the dice, hoping never to encounter them, never knowing what the insurgents would change or enhance about the IED. The creativity they used was astonishing at first. Their motives were unfathomable, to say the least. What kind of human being would do something so horrendous as blowing innocent people up and watching them shriek and burn??!! That was a magnitude of evil we had never seen.
The Mission, Ramadi Iraq 2006
Waking up to the smells of ancient land was always so enthralling to me: the smell of the Euphrates or Tigris rivers and the nearby village farms and livestock. Even the sounds were daunting. Distance sounds of fowls, cows, goats, donkeys, dogs, and lambs (to name a few) kind of makes a distinct natural melody. Peaceful, natural, and rhythmic. The sun’s rays even felt different to me. More ancient, old, and wise feeling when they would pierce through my body. I guess when you are in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006, one must try and reflect on the good things around you. Otherwise, the war-torn city and the fierce fighting with the insurgency would consume you. It was my third combat deployment to Iraq, and it was absolutely the worst. Completely life changing in the most magnificent and horrendous way.
My day was standard for a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Specialist, or Navy EOD Technician for short. Our overall objective was to support Naval Special Warfare Squadron Five or SEAL Team Five during combat operations in the Al Ambar province. We were a small EOD detachment of eight men. One officer, one Senior Chief, one Lead Petty Officer and five knuckle dragging EOD guys. We supported four of the task units that deployed to combat areas in Iraq. My Task Unit was Task Unit Ramadi.
The first time I had ever encountered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on mission in Ramadi 2006 was surreal and it changed my life and career forever. We were there during an intense time relating to the IED threat. Preposterous, if I were to try and describe it. I’d wake up, eat, work out, then study and plan for the next night mission. I was my SEAL Team Five platoon’s EOD team leader. I had one other EOD guy with me in the area of responsibility we operated in. Brad is still active duty, but I can say he is one of the best EOD guys that I know, and he’s still crushing it today. I hope he is doing well, and I think about him every day. God bless, brother.
Ninety-five percent of an EOD guy’s job on a SEAL platoon is analyzing the explosive threat. Conducting IED trend analysis and IED trend study daily was required for survival. Each area we operated in presented its own specific set of IED trends. What we learned through the analytical process we studied and applied to all phases of the mission. Chasing the tail, per se. This mission was not any different as it relates to the planning process.
After we would evaluate and study the IED Significant Activities (SIGACTS), we would get with all the element leads and brief them. Point men, lead drivers, vehicle commanders, snipers, breachers, etc. We would study the map, identify areas of concern or areas where we might encounter an IED on that specific mission. We briefed them on what types of IEDs were found already in the area that we were going to operate in. But still, we felt like we were rolling the dice. I hated that feeling and I was determined to change it and somehow gain an advantage on this massive explosive beast.
To be continued…
Short bursts of intense stories. Part 2 coming soon..
Love it. I’d rather read real stories than some fiction novel. Thank you!