Thailand today: Explosives Training with Thai and US EOD and Bomb Techs There are many great classes this week. Many are being taught by Thais, and others by Israelis, US Army, and one by the Massachusetts State Police. It is amazing that the Mass Police officer has expertise to rival the military people. But everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and so this cross-pollination is crucial. For instance, Trooper Eric Gahagan from the Massachusetts State Police knows improvised labs for explosives and narcotics like the back of his hand. The military folks, not so much. But then the military side has a great deal of other expertise that most police do not have. The Israelis know a huge amount about suicide bombers, which has not (yet) been a big problem in Thailand or the USA, but some experts believe it will increase in both places, and in Europe. So the Israelis bring that and other expertise in. The Israelis are hard to match on the combination of police/military EOD. The US and Israelis also are the gadget-masters. We have all sorts of gear that Thais cannot afford. Well, Thailand is rich, and Thailand can afford it if the government wants to. The Thai Police and Army are very good at some old-school work. For instance, Thais tend to be keen or spotting things with their eyes and senses. They are very good at spotting trouble without using batteries to do it, but if they had their choice, Thai want more of this tech gear. I also noticed during training today that Thai EOD instructors are incredibly good at hiding mines and bombs quickly. The Taliban also are quite good, but I have to say these Thai instructors are better. There is something bizarre about this training: the US Embassy failed to send representatives. This is tantamount Embassy malpractice. If something happens to our Embassy or our staff, chances are it will happen via some route that our Thai partners understand well, and can teach to our Embassy security staff. That our Embassy failed to send security experts to Ravens Challenge this year is disturbing. Short video from a few hours earlier:
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:12:37 +0000
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