Basic IED Field Exploitation Course (BIFEC)

NATO C-IED COE continued its efforts to provide with C-IED focused training for the Jordanian Security and Military Forces (JAF) under the umbrella of Jordanian DCB project, sponsored by NATO Emerging Security Challenges Division (NATO ESCD), Science for Peace and Security (SPS). In this framework, based on the Request for Support for the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF), a two weeks BIFEC course had been organized and held at the HDF Non Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA) within the period of 7-18 October 2019. The event had been planned and organized by the C-IED COE along and in close coordination with the C-IED training personnel of HDF NCOA.

The audience (12 PAX and 3 interpreters) was selected carefully from the Army, Police and civil intelligence agency, though the basic idea of using the inter-agency approach in the C-IED fight had been understood. Despite the fact of using interpreters, the training showed a very active picture, in which the audience expressed disciplined and focusing behavior.

The closing ceremony was held on the 18th October. According to the reports, given by the training team and also that was experienced, this course was a really successful training event. 

The Attack the Networks Operational Course (ATNOC) gathers 21 attendees from 8 nations

29 November 2024.- From 18 to 29 November, the Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices – Centre of Excellence (C-IED COE) celebrated a new iteration of its Attack the Networks Operational Course at its facilities in Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid.

Officially opened by the C-IED COE Deputy Director, American Colonel Christopher Bartos, the course gathered 21 students who belonged to different armies and law enforcement agencies from 8 nations.

The aim of the course, with new content and an updated format compared to previous editions, was to provide a multidisciplinary approach to C-IED. Instructors have based the sessions on the logical process of Attack the Networks, which includes four steps: understanding of contextual situation, human networks, engagement and assessment.

Following these steps, attendees have learnt to identify and analyze human networks through the awareness and understanding of the situation, with the aim of making recommendations on lethal and non-lethal ways to engage all kinds of networks and to assess possible effects in order to reduce the IED threat in an operational environment.

Sessions have been both theoretical and practical. Several exercices were conducted in ficticious scenarios where students had the chance to discuss, share experiences and exchange knowledge.

The Weapons Intelligence Team Training Developer Course (WIT TDC) receives 16 students from 9 nations

16 December 2024- The Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices – Centre of Excellence has organized and celebrated, from 01 to 05 December, a new iteration of its Weapons Intelligence Team Training Developer Course, at its facilities in Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid.

Officially opened by its Deputy Director, American Colonel Cristopher Bartos, the course has gathered 16 students from 9 NATO nations. Sessions have been conducted by experts from the C-IED COE, as well as by external briefers.

The aim of the course is to educate WIT Course Directors and Senior Instructors in WIT Course development by implementing updates on skills and standards and creating WIT related scenarios and vignettes.

In the theoretical sessions, students have been provided with an update on WIT skills and standards. New techniques and procedures have been shared and the existing doctrine has been revised. In the practical session, a series of fictitious scenarios have been created, where students have been able to use the WIT-related acquired knowledge.

As a result, those experts in charge of organizing the WIT training in NATO and in the Allied nations, are better prepared to develop and conduct said courses under their responsibility thanks to the updated information on technical exploitation related to C-IED provided during this week.

The Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices – Centre of Excellence (C-IED COE) participates in the exercise Valiant Blaster, supporting the training programme of the Spanish Marine Brigade.

27 November 2024.- From 17 to 22 November, the C-IED COE participated in the exercise Valiant Blaster, held annually in Cádiz.

Organized by the Spanish Marine Brigade as part of their training programme, the exercise is aimed at maintaining and improving the EOD capabilities needed in the fight against IEDs.

The exercise included EOD units from Spanish Armed Forces (Navy, Army and Air and Space Forces) and Allied countries, as well as personnel from diverse law enforcement agencies. Its main objective has been to promote, strengthen and increase interoperability between the various EOD units, as well as to share TTPs and best practices, with special emphasis on Defeat the Device within the three pillars of the C-IED fight.

The C-IED COE, as a reference centre in the discipline, has supported the exercise with the participation of experts from the “Defeat the Device” branch. It has also provided participants with an updated conference on the different emerging threats in the various theatres of operations where the Spanish Armed Forces and Allied Armies currently carry out their missions.

Through the preparation of realistic scenarios, thanks to the data collected in areas of operations, activities have been carried out where participants have faced a wide variety of IEDs (commanded, activated by the victim, suicide vests, car bombs, among others) and have been able to put into practice the usefulness of various TTPs, integrating EOD practices, level 1 technical exploitation and the work of the WIT team and the CCEOD in the intelligence cycle.

Participating in these initiatives, the C-IED COE shows, once again, its commitment with the provision of updated training, its availability to collaborate with other units and its role as a referent in the fight against IEDs.