Command wire
Detonating cord link
Image 8. Three main charges linked together by detonating cord. This IED could contain over 100 kg of HME
ׁ WARNING. Prior to starting any disposal operations consider whether the security conditions are permissible and suitable for MA IEDD.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR AN MA IEDD OPERATOR CONDUCTING AN RSP ON A COMMAND WIRE IED:
• Make assessment of the location of the firing point and contact point;
• Take control of the command wire prior to entering the contact point. This means separating the physical link using remote or semi-remote techniques; • Always conduct a threat assessment and apply suitable search procedures to mitigate against further VOIEDs as required;
• Conduct detonator safety at the earliest opportunity;
• Always remotely or semi-remotely move all IED components prior to manual handling;
• Never manually pull in command wires by hand.
2.2.3.COMMAND PULL A command pull IED is another device that has a physical link between firing point and contact point. It is normally an electrically initiated device, however mechanical cocked strikers have been encountered.
Key advantages include:
• Can be emplaced quickly with the majority of the physical pull link surface laid;
• Significantly reduces the amount of electrical wire required compared to a command wire IED;
• Like a command wire IED it can be operated with very basic levels of training and is not susceptible to jamming.
Key disadvantages include:
• As with a command wire the firer is normally limited to a fixed firing point;
• The command pull link can act like a tripwire increasing the IED susceptibility to inadvertent initiation; • The time taken to pull in slack and cause a switch to close may make it harder to function the device at the optimum moment.
IED tactics
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