The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Center for Explosives Training and Research, in partnership with the U.S. Army Headquarters, Department of the Army G-38 – Explosive Ordnance Disposal, held the 2023 Raven's Challenge Interoperability Exercise, an international training event to prepare and counter the threat of improvised explosive devices (IED).
2023 Raven’s Challenge Interoperability Exercise
Fort A.P. Hill – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Center for Explosives Training and Research, in partnership with the U.S. Army Headquarters, Department of the Army G-38 – Explosive Ordnance Disposal, held the 2023 Raven's Challenge Interoperability Exercise, an international training event to prepare and counter the threat of improvised explosive devices (IED).
The exercise runs at multiple locations throughout the U.S. This is Fort A.P. Hill’s first year hosting the Army event.
Raven’s Challenge began in 2004 as an ATF-led training exercise for military EOD teams and civilian public safety bomb squads in Seattle. The exercise matured into what is now the largest EOD/PSBS training exercise in the world. Last year’s challenge had more than 820 participants and training staff from the U.S. and six countries.
The challenge is funded by the U.S. Army and is executed by ATF and partner agencies including the U.S. Army, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local and state law enforcement agencies throughout the country.
This annual, interagency C-IED (counter improvised explosive devices) exercise continues to be the cutting edge of EOD/PSBS training. Focusing on emerging threats and scene exploitation are key elements to anticipate future IED threats.
Exercise scenarios focus on capabilities between public safety bomb squads and military EOD teams in operational environments. It involves EOD teams from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps, including active duty, reserve, and guard components; local and state PSBS; Department of Defense; Department of Justice; and international law enforcement.
International participation has increased to include not only North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations but also other European and North African nations. Raven’s Challenge is a NATO-recognized C-IED exercise.
The close collaboration and participation of these organizations is a testament to the C-IED expertise and professionalism of all involved and the importance of the subject matter. Supporting military and public safety bomb technician annual training requirements, Raven’s Challenge guides policy regarding C-IED national preparedness efforts.
These collaborations, coupled with tailored scenarios that expose participants to emerging threats in diverse environments, keep this full-scale exercise extremely relevant and at the cutting edge of C-IED global exercises
Raven’s Challenge continues to grow public safety partnerships between local, state and international jurisdictions for the prevention, protection, mitigation, and response to man-made threats faced by nations and their communities.
Michael Meisberger
Public Affairs Specialist
Fort A.P. Hill Public Affairs Office