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New IED map symbols help prepare troops

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.”

While the symbols were created about 1½ years ago, they have not 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.

The symbols are as follows:

— IED in the area: This symbol indicates there is an IED in the area that has not gone off.

— Detonated IED: This shows that there is an IED in the area that has been detonated — a sign that the enemy likely finds this area important, Turek said.

— Suicide bomber: This symbol shows that somebody had a bomb on his or her person at this location.

— Vehicle-borne IED: This symbol indicates that a vehicle was used in an attempted or successful IED attack.

Want more information? Contact Turek at david.turek@us.army.mil.