An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 13 was the Engineer Specialist Search Officer. He gave us a quick brief on what is involved in a tasking like this. He told us the first thing is to complete a threat assessment of the tasking, in this case it was a non-specific threat so there were multiple things to be searched for. In the assessment they will also assess the threat level and what the pri- mary threat is, prioritise areas to be searched and make a plan. At the arena the first tasks on the ground was to set up an Incident Control Point (ICP), which consisted of a large inflatable tent; panel boards were set up with details and information, while a computer show- ing an overhead image of the arena with coloured areas mapped out, also being drawn on a large whiteboard was a detailed map of build- ings in the arena that were areas of special interest to be searched. The search was broken into a number of different types of searches, firstly explosive particle detection and explosive vapour detection, next special- ist equipment search, non-evasive electronic search, and finally a rummage search, which is a systematic manual and visual exploitation of the area. The Engineer Specialist Search Teams were sent into the arena in groups to carry out the individual searches, the first group went in to carry out explosive vapour and particle detection, with them they carried a Multi Mode Track Detector (MMTDs) and a hand held Non Linier Junction Detector (NLJD). The MMTDs can perform many functions and can detect explosives and narcotics. It picks up explosive vapours by carrying out a sniff test to analyse the air, it is placed in the room to be tested on its own while it does its analysis. It also detects particles by a touch test, the techni- cian swabs likely places were contact would be made by the perpetra- tor, like door handles, windows and even telephones. When each room is searched they are marked with an X to indicate the room is safe. sCenario 'C': Was a more conventional one, with the narrative cen- tring on an overseas unit in Lebanon, with a routine patrol encounter- ing a suspicious vehicle. They had been ordered to remain in position, secure the area and await ESSC team to search and clear to route. When we joined the ESSC team they had completed their threat as- sessment and set up an ICP. Any equipment that may be required had been laid out in order so it could be quickly put to hand if needed. Some ESSC team members were kitted out in SRS 5 suits, which provide bal- listic protection; it is designed lighter and more manoeuvrable compared to the EOD 9 suit that an EOD officer uses. They already had completed a sweep up the road to the suspect vehicle with Vallon metal detectors. To help move personnel and equipment around the area they employed the use of a John Deere ATV known as a Gator, which is essential for long- distance movements with the heavy equipment and ballistic suits. Also the ESSC team had deployed the Mine Wolf Systems, mini Minewolf MW240 robotic mine clearance vehicle. The MW240 is de- signed to be operated remotely and if required can be operated from the ICP away from the danger area. It is fitted with a number of cam- eras to give the operator all-around visibility. It is a very versatile ma- chine and has a number of different attachments that can be used for different tasks, like a grabber arm and a flail to find mines. The suspect vehicle was easily inspected and manipulated with the Mine- wolf, there was no threat found in the vehicle but a device was found under- neath the vehicle. The grabber arm made light work of moving the vehicle out of the way for a closer inspection of the device by EOD personnel. Exercises like these are an essential part of learning and remaining an effec- tive part of a COE ESSC team within the Defence Forces. They are designed to show how determined and cunning perpetrators of these acts of terrorism can be and how difficult they can be, while also giving the teams confidence in their job and a chance to learn from each other and think outside the box.

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