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The Taliban’s weapon of choice throughout the campaign in Helmand province has been the improvised explosive device. Claiming scores of lives and responsible for countless injuries, the

lethal bombs have been the scourge of UK Armed Forces personnel.

While British forces have developed an impressive arsenal of vehicles, kit and ground techniques to counter this threat, the roadside risk could pose a significant problem for the Afghan

National Army (ANA) as they move towards transition in 2014.

With ISAF troops withdrawing from the country, it is the homegrown forces that will be charged with rendering these devices safe in as little as 18 months’ time.

But instead of shirking the responsibility, Afghan warriors have actively embraced the challenge to create their very own counter-IED capability.

Recruits learn the tricks of the trade during a 22-week training programme in Mazar-e Sharif before polishing their skills in a validation package staged at Camp Shorabak under the watchful

eye of UK soldiers from the Brigade Advisory Group.

Sergeant Major Baz Mohammed has served for three years with the ANA and is now taking a starring role within this growing asset:

During a confirmation exercise, the skill and attention to detail Sergeant Major Mohammed displayed mirrored that of the experts within ISAF’s ranks.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Moxy James, Royal Logistic Corps, part of the validation course team, believes the Afghans are well placed to assume full responsibility for this crucial work and

revealed the operatives have taken a lead role on tasks in the field:

While the job brings these soldiers face-to-face with deadly IEDs, it also comes with a host of secondary dangers:

The role has encouraged a change in mentality to ensure IED tasks are approached in the right manner.

And while progress is clear in terms of the front line, plans are already being made to create a lasting legacy for the Afghan counter-IED force:

This article is taken from the July 2012 edition of Soldier - magazine of the British Army.