FORT IRWIN, Calif.: Troopers from 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division participated in a search and tactical site exploitation (TSE) class, here, at the National Training Center.
The 40-hour class familiarized Soldiers with new equipment and tactics using the FIDO and handheld interagency identity-detection equipment (HIIDE) system.
FIDO is a portable, handheld explosive detector used in screening for explosive residue on vehicles, buildings and people, and the HIIDE assists in the identification and search of people through biometrics.
“The new equipment makes searching people go faster and more accurate,” said Sgt. Nike Ferzacca, from Orange County, Calif.
The troops used the classroom training to learn best practices to search and tactically question civilians.
“We learned how or why the enemy thinks through things and ways to tactically question them,” said Sgt. Luke Kilhullen, from Honesdale, Penn.
The use of biometrics aids the squad in identifying persons who may be a threat. It also supports all forces in tracking persons of interest who may be aiding or acting as insurgents.
“The collection of reports from the lower level Soldiers using TSE supports all Soldiers from the lowest to the highest level,” said Edwards.
The Saber Soldiers will use their new skills during the brigade’s mission rehearsal exercise at NTC to prepare them for the upcoming deployment to Iraq.
