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USAF explosive ordnance disposal technicians conduct joint training with Nigerien Armed Forces

A soldier from the Nigerien Armed Forces disarms a simulated improvised explosive device under the watchful eye of a U.S. Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to the 409th Air Expeditionary Group during a joint counter improvised explosive device exercise at the FAN’s Genie Compound in Agadez, Niger, May 19, 2022. These C-IED joint training opportunities occur twice weekly for both the FAN and U.S. forces to hone and bolster their skill sets, enabling increased security and stability for the government of Niger and its citizens.

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Chloe Ochs 

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USAF explosive ordnance disposal technicians conduct joint training with Nigerien Armed Forces

A U.S. Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technician assigned to the 409th Air Expeditionary Group buries a training device during a joint counter-improvised explosive device exercise with soldiers from the Nigerien Armed Forces at the FAN’s Genie Compound in Agadez, Niger, May 19, 2022. These C-IED joint training opportunities occur twice weekly for both the FAN and U.S. forces to hone and bolster their skill sets, enabling increased security and stability for the government of Niger and its citizens.

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Chloe Ochs 

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USAF explosive ordnance disposal technicians conduct joint training with Nigerien Armed Forces

A soldier from the Nigerien Armed Forces searches for a simulated improvised explosive device during a joint counter improvised explosive device exercise with U.S. Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technicians assigned to the 409th Air Expeditionary Group at the FAN’s Genie Compound in Agadez, Niger, May 19, 2022. These C-IED joint training opportunities occur twice weekly for both the FAN and U.S. forces to hone and bolster their skill sets, enabling increased security and stability for the government of Niger and its citizens.

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Chloe Ochs 

U.S. Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technicians assigned to the 409th Air Expeditionary Group conducted a joint counter-improvised explosive device exercise with soldiers from the Forces Armées Nigeriennes (FAN) at the FAN’s Genie Compound here May 19.

These C-IED joint training opportunities occur twice weekly, allowing both FAN and U.S. forces to hone and bolster their skill sets to enable increased security and stability for the government of Niger and its citizens.

“The wide breadth of knowledge and skills required to effectively combat the ever-changing IED landscape demands training that is both focused and frequent,” said an explosive ordnance disposal team leader with the 409th Air Expeditionary Group. “With a high recurrence of training also comes the camaraderie and trust that is required to operate in life-or-death environments.”

Over the past two decades, IED’s have become synonymous with conflict on the battlefield and are used regularly by adversaries.

“Air Force EOD teams continue efforts to conduct joint trainings, which not only afford opportunities for knowledge exchanges and skill refinement, but also ensure the safety of both DoD and partner force personnel, our installations and resources” said the 409th AEG EOD team leader.