OSCE builds capacity of Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry on safe disposal of explosives ordnance
The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe strengthened the skills of the officers of Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry (MoD) on explosive ordnance disposal. Train-the-trainer course on Explosive Ordnance Disposal (level 3) allowed the participants to acquired new knowledge and refresh their skills on how to detect, identify, recover, disarm and dispose unsafe explosive ordnance in minefields and battlefields.
The course took place in the Regional Explosive Hazards Training Centre of the MoD from 3 to 27 May 2022 in the outskirts of Dushanbe. The course, hosted by the MoD and facilitated by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, brought together eight officers from the MoD and Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre. The representatives from the MoD, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, OSCE and Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre participated at closing ceremony of the course.
The topics of the course focused on instruction and manuals on explosive ordnance disposal and safeties, land service ammunition, equipment, render safe procedures, transportation of explosive ordnance and final disposal during practical classes in demolition range. The course also provided the participants with knowledge and skills necessary to perform their duties and tasks during explosive ordnance disposal operations of a qualified Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operator (level 3) in accordance with International Mine Action Standards.
Head of the Engineering Department of Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry Major General Sayyorabek Bachabekzoda noted the importance of cooperation between the MoD, OSCE and the US Department of State and thanked for support and implementation of joint projects on Small Arms and Light Weapons and Integrated Cooperation on Explosive Hazards Programmes. He mentioned that the MoD hopes to continue and expand the cooperation in these priority areas.
“Over many years, and through numerous OSCE-managed projects, we have prepared, developed, and implemented a vision for establishing the first (and only) Regional Explosive Hazards Training Centre here in Tajikistan. The MoD Officer`s attendance and graduation of the EOD Level 3 train-the-trainer course is a testimony of this achievement, and a confirmation of its success,” said Rodney A. Robideau, SCA Program Manager of US Department of State at the closing ceremony.
The course will sustain the training capacity within the MoD to train its staff on explosive hazards and operational management resources. It will allow the MoD to continue internal capacity development and skills transfer in their respective departments in Tajikistan, Central Asia, Afghanistan and other OSCE participating States in accordance with national and international standards.