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CJTF-76 begins incentive program for reporting IEDs

By Sgt. Stephanie Carl
December 10, 2004

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Dec. 10, 2004) -- To combat the problem of improvised explosive devices, Combined Joint Task Force-76 has launched a program designed to reward both Soldiers and Afghans for their efforts in eliminating the threat of IEDs.

"People like to receive recognition for the things they do," said Brig. Gen. Bernie Champoux, CJTF-76 deputy commanding general, operations. "We're making a concerted effort to do what we can to protect our troops, and this is just another facet of that."

The other "facet" is the new IED commander's coin, which is awarded to any individual who assists in thwarting an IED attack, or in some way helps in the campaign to prevent IED attacks.

Featuring an eagle clutching an IED in its talons, the coin represents the United States and the removal of IEDs, said 2nd Lt. Scott Chalmers, Co. A, 125th Military Intelligence Battalion, executive officer, and the artist behind the design.

"I hope this coin motivates people to report IEDs," he said.

The coin is part of the Coalition's small rewards program, which is used to reward Afghans for their efforts in preventing IED attacks. In the past, the small rewards program has compensated civilians monetarily for the information they provide.

The local population is one of the biggest sources of information about IEDs, said Lt. Col. Scott Berrier, CJTF-76 director of intelligence.

"It's important for units to establish a good relationship with the people in the villages," he said.

Fostering good relationships can encourage the local nationals to report suspicious activity, and it can help save a service member's life, Berrier said.

Additionally, units should rely heavily upon intelligence assets, which can provide current threat information, to include types of IED threats and known high-risk areas, he said.

The two types of IED threats are command-detonated and passive. A command-detonated device is typically controlled by the enemy, while a passive device is planted and then left behind. A passive device poses more of a threat to the general population, as there is no specific target for the detonation.

The best way for service members to avoid either of these devices is by remaining vigilant during missions. Berrier said.

"Soldiers know what the roads are supposed to look like," said Berrier. "If something doesn't look right, it should be approached with extreme caution."

Reporting those suspicious objects can be what saves the lives of service members.

When a service members see something that doesn't look right, they should report it through their chain of command, said Berrier. Explosive ordnance disposal teams or engineers who are trained to destroy explosives should be called in to handle the situation.

Troops who do the right thing can receive the IED coin for their efforts also. Upon approval from a service member's chain of command, Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, CJTF-76 commander, will present the coin, which bears the two-star flag, to uniformed individuals who take action against IEDs.

In the past, only civilians were able to receive rewards for contributing to the destruction of an IED, but the coin is just an added incentive for troops.

"The primary motivator for anyone is their battle-buddy," said Champoux. "Nothing will ever replace that.

"This is just another mechanism. The leaders who feel the most responsible don't ever want to look in the mirror and think they could have tried harder."

(Editor's note: Sgt. Stephanie Carl serves with the 17th Public Affairs Detachment.)