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Mississippi-based brigade knocks out IEDs in Middle East

By  Monica Hernandez - bio | email | twitter

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - Roadside bombs are claiming the lives of a growing number of Americans in Afghanistan. But members of the 168^th Engineer Brigade, based out of Vicksburg, are trying to change that.

They are working to knock out IEDs, or Improvised Explosive Devices, in Afghanistan. It's a painstaking, grueling task. On one particular mission, the Wisconsin Road Warriors, which is part of the 168^th Engineer Brigade, knocked out half a dozen IEDs.

"We save lives of people rolling in armored vehicles as well as the local populace who are unaware of the presence of IEDS," said SFC Chet Millard of the 951^st Engineering Company.

In August, roadside bombs killed a number of soldiers with ties to Mississippi. In fact, the majority of casualties to U-S forces in Afghanistan are the result of the kinds of bombs this force is working to destroy.

"Every time they go out, they've got to expect it, they've got to be ready," said CPT Peter Mousseau of Task Force Storm.

And so, members of the 168th Engineer Brigade's Task Force Storm are risking their lives to save others. But knocking out IEDS isn't the unit's only goal. It's also working to train and mentor Afghans in all aspects of construction.

"Programs like this supported by the brigade and battalion, it's really helping Afghans help themselves in building their own human capacity and potential so they themselves can one day build up their own country and we can go home," said CPT Sharmista Mohapatra, of the 62^nd engineering battalion.