June has been named as the deadliest month in the Afghanistan war, with at least 100 coalition troops being killed. IEDs alone account for two-thirds of all casualties and SMi`s Counter IED and Force Protection conference is well timed to address this issue.

This event brings together the highest calibre experts in the field to examine and analyse the challenges we face with IEDs. Potential solutions to the threat will be presented and assessed by a range of international defence specialists, who are keen not only to take lessons from operations, but also ensure the most vital issue raised by Bob Sneddon’s recent resignation is addressed: training for IED preparedness.

SMi’s Counter IED and Force Protection Conference is chaired by Maj (Ret’d) Chris Hunter, prominant counter-terrorist bomb disposal specialist, who served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Northern Ireland between 1997 and 2007. He is joined by Robert Berish, Commander, EOD Flight, Eglin Air Force Base, Geof McCarthy, Section Head, Canadian Forces, Jim Blackburn, Assistant Capability Director, European Defence Agency and Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Mike O’Bea, Capability Manager, Virtual Training Combined Arms Centre, TRADOC, US Army in addressing the issues of IEDs.

An Internationally-focused event, Counter IED and Force Protection is already gathering serious interest from many agencies around the world, such as TRADOC, CALL, Netherlands CIED Joint Task Force, US Air Force, Bundeswehr Technology and Procurement Office and Canadian Forces Land Requirements.

Full speaker line-up available online: http://www.smi-online.co.uk/counter-ied.asp

SMi
01.07.2010