Barbero nominated to head IED defeat office

 An Army officer with an appreciation for the continuing challenges U.S. ground forces face fighting insurgents in Southwest Asia has been nominated to lead the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), reports Irene Smith at Army News Service.

Lt. Gen. Michael Barbero, deputy commander for advising and training, United States Forces-Iraq, was nominated Nov. 10 by President Barrack Obama to lead JIEDDO. If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace Lt. Gen. Michael Oates as JIEDDO director at an unspecified date in 2011.

Barbero’s experience in theater was a key factor in his selection to lead the organization in its mission to rapidly deliver new and advanced counter-IED capability to combat commanders, Army officials said.

JIEDDO focuses on how to defeat the devices in the field and also how to disrupt insurgent networks that plant the devices.