What it's like to avoid Improvised Explosive Devices

22.11.2010

Not necessarily. There is a lot more to it. It could be people who don't like you for whatever reason. You have to accept that wherever you go, one-third of the population isn't going to like you because they are in power and they don't want that to change. There is kind of gray area between the Taliban and regular criminals. There are also more organized criminals that operate in groups and have someone who builds bombs, which was one skill set in such an organization.

First and foremost is route planning. You don't take the same road in that you take out. If you go into a village and follow one road to get in and then drive out on the same road, that gives someone time to build something and blow you up. Also, being able to show up unannounced. We take creek bottoms, which is like a wash or a ravine. They make good roads because nothing grows in the center. So you can get in those things, drive up and pop up so people are surprised.