{"id":42404,"date":"2018-12-10T03:18:49","date_gmt":"2018-12-10T03:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/12\/10\/after-soldiers-death-army-guard-investigates-training-equipment-provided-to-deploying-eod-unit\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T03:59:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T03:59:08","slug":"after-soldiers-death-army-guard-investigates-training-equipment-provided-to-deploying-eod-unit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/12\/10\/after-soldiers-death-army-guard-investigates-training-equipment-provided-to-deploying-eod-unit\/","title":{"rendered":"After soldier\u2019s death, Army Guard investigates training, equipment provided to deploying EOD unit"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Army National Guard<\/a> is investigating reports that an EOD unit did not receive the proper training <\/a>or equipment before it was deployed to Afghanistan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sgt. James Slape<\/a>, a soldier with the North Carolina National Guard\u2019s 430th Ordnance Company, died Oct. 4 in Helmand province<\/a>, Afghanistan, from an improvised explosive device. The unit had been in Afghanistan since April. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shortly after his death, The New York Times<\/a>, citing documents it obtained, reported that Slape\u2019s unit had repeatedly requested better equipment and training but were denied both due to a lack of funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Guard has since initiated an AR 15-6 investigation \u201cinto the training and equipping of the 430th EOD Company for their mobilization and deployment to Afghanistan,\u201d Lt. Col. Wes Parmer, a Guard spokesman, confirmed to Army Times on Dec. 7. \u201cAs the investigation is ongoing, no additional details can be provided at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior his death, Slape\u2019s unit had requested tools often used when clearing buried land mines and improvised bombs, the New York Times reported, though it remains unclear whether the lack of this equipment contributed to Slape\u2019s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before deploying, the 430th had to borrow equipment like rifle sights and radios from other National Guard units and received more items upon the soldiers’ arrival in theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slape, 23, of Morehead City, North Carolina, died in southern Afghanistan, a volatile region where the Taliban have remained historically strong throughout the 17-year war in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Sgt. James Slape died Oct. 4, 2018, in Afghanistan from wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. (Army)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As an EOD tech, he was responding to help with a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle that had hit a roadside bomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Slape was reportedly sweeping around the vehicle for secondary explosives when he was killed by an explosion. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they arrived downrange, the soldiers of the 430th still did not have the most advanced mine detectors that could locate bomb components the Taliban use, according to two officials who spoke to the New York Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That detector has reportedly been issued by many active-duty bomb disposal units, including some not deployed to conflict zones. The Times reported that much of the gear and training the 430th sought for their deployment was standard for active-duty troops.<\/p>\n\n\n\t