[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo] What is the ROK-US Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training?

The 7th Army Engineer Brigade conducted training from the 23rd at the urban training ground in Icheon City, Gyeonggi Province, and surrounding multi-use facilities with the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division, the ROK-U.S. Combined Division’s 11th Engineer Battalion, and the ROK-U.S. Combined Explosive Hazard Clearance Team (EHCT).

This training focused on fostering combined operational capabilities to prepare for potential terrorist situations by sharing know-how between ROK and U.S. soldiers. Approximately 30 personnel participated, including about 10 from the brigade’s EHCT and around 20 from the U.S. 11th Engineer Battalion’s route clearance platoon.

The first day began with mutual equipment introductions and theoretical education and discussions on improvised explosive device (IED) fabrication and identification, origin preservation, and limited removal procedures. On the second day, participants observed each other’s training and shared equipment operation techniques.

Having mastered each other’s equipment operation methods and training techniques, the soldiers from both countries gathered at the training ground on the third day. They were first presented with a scenario involving detecting an IED during road reconnaissance and responding accordingly. Additionally, explosive detection and response training targeting national critical infrastructure and multi-use facilities were conducted.