New IED map symbols help cut threat

[unhappycamper]

Marines inspect the scene after a vehicle in their convoy ran over a roadside bomb April 4 in Now Zad, Helmand province, Afghanistan. Improvised explosive devices have been the largest source of casualties in the war zone and remain a persistent problem. To help reduce the threat, the Army has created new mapping symbols, for use by all services, that will allow easier tracking.


New IED map symbols help cut threat
By Tony Lombardo - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Nov 23, 2009 7:44:41 EST

Improvised explosive devices have been the largest source of casualties in the war zone and remain a persistent problem.

To help reduce the threat, the Army has created new mapping symbols — for use by all services — that will allow easier tracking, said David Turek, chief of the joint and multi-national doctrine division under the Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

“You want to ensure that you’re doing the best thing you can do for soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines,” Turek said. “If you start identifying where (IEDs) are, then you can avoid them.”

The symbols were created about a year and a half ago, but they have not yet been put to widespread use. That’s about to change.

The diamond-shaped symbols are shown on electronic map displays and can be updated on short notice. When a unit encounters an IED, a situation report is given to the proper reporting agency, such as battalion or company headquarters. Once reported, the IED will be indicated in the electronic mapping used in the field so everyone gets the message. Next time a unit is in the area and consults the map, a symbol will pop up to alert the troops.


Rest of article at: http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2009/11/marine_ied_112109w/

[hobbit709]

1. It's the yet unmapped ones I'd be worried about.