Lynch, Tom
Frakes, Keith
Tactical Operations in a High Active Threat/IED Environment

The combined use of firearms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) continues to be a growing trend in both domestic and international attacks targeting both innocent civilians and emergency responders. With an increase in incidents involving explosives as tactical weapons occurring here in the United States as well as overseas, there is a need for tactical teams to understand the changing dynamic response threat and the need to realign tactical response capabilities. This 4-hour seminar is designed to provide patrol and SWAT operators with an understanding of the current IED threat and ongoing efforts towards enhancing tactical response capabilities and survivability. Many of these ongoing efforts include program cooperation between the NTOA, NBSCAB, FBI/HDS and DHS S&T REDOPS & RAPTOR Programs. The seminar will include:

  • Review and discuss device designs (containers, explosive precursors, and components) of various visually displayed (inert) IEDs to enhance threat awareness
  • Live demonstrations of the inert IEDs functioning capabilities and terrorist deployment tactics found in terrorist publications
  • Demonstrate capabilities, equipment deployment and TBT program (Tactical Bomb Technician) designed to support SWAT operations in an IED environment
  • Discuss best practices in joint SWAT and TBT training, and a guide towards developing an SOP involving the combined resources of bomb squads and tactical teams
  • Review criminal/terrorist IED tactics (concealment methods and emplacement techniques) using indoor and outdoor facilities during team movement operations
  • Discuss the Operational Threat Assessment process
  • Discuss, and review other supporting tools/technology compiled and shared by the DHS S&T REDOPS and RAPTOR Programs

    • Tom Lynch - Bio
    Thomas Lynch has more than 28 years of experience in Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), law enforcement anti- and counterterrorism planning, tactical operations, and specialized IED/tactical technology requirements. Tom served on the Philadelphia Police Department for 23 years and was assigned for more than 18 years to the Bomb Squad and the department's Homeland Security Counter-Terrorism Bureau. During his time on the Bomb squad he was involved with numerous Federal, State, and local explosives-related assignments, including participation in the bombing investigation of the Oklahoma City Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995. Since retiring from the Philadelphia Police Department, he has provided support to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Bombing Prevention as a Program Analyst for the National Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Capabilities Analysis Database and lead workshop developer and facilitator for the Multi-Jurisdiction Improvised Explosive Device Security Planning Program with Tier-Tech International.

    Lynch continues to provide support to the nation's bomb squad and SWAT communities under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Response and Defeat Operations Support and research and prototyping for Tactical Operations Response Programs through DAGER Technology. He has published several articles in The Tactical Edge magazine and is a contributing author to the Patrol Response to Contemporary Problems, Enhanced Performance of First Responders through Knowledge and Experience by John Kolman. Lynch is a recipient of the NTOA John Kolman Award of Excellence and currently serves as the Explosive/IED Section Chairman for the National Tactical Officers Association. He is a liaison representative to the National Bomb Squad Commanders Advisory Board, International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators, the Combating Terrorism Technology Support Office and the Department of Homeland Security Office for Bombing Prevention.

    Keith Frakes - Bio
    Keith Frakes retired as a Principal Member of the Technical Staff at the US Department of Energy's Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Assigned to the Explosives Arming & Firing Systems Department, he supported research, testing, and training for the Defense, Intelligence, and Law Enforcement communities. Keith was an active member of the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) and was the Laboratories Stabilization Program Manager.

    Prior to joining Sandia Labs in 2004, Keith served more than 20 years with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office in Phoenix, Arizona. He retired at the rank of Captain; having spent most of his career as a Bomb Technician, Tactical Officer and Bomb Squad-SWAT Supervisor. He served over a decade on the Board of Directors for the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). Keith spent over 40 years (Active and Reserve) with the US Army, retiring at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four, with prior assignments at USASOC, USSOCOM, Japan, the Pentagon, and deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.