From 24 to 28 February 2025, the Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Centre of Excellence (C-IED COE) hosted a new iteration of the C-IED Staff Officers Course (CSOC) at its facilities in Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid.

The course was officially opened by the Centre’s Director, Spanish Army Colonel Javier Corbacho Margallo, and brought together 21 participants from 10 different nations.

The objective of the CSOC is to equip C-IED Staff Officers and Senior Staff Assistants, operating at the upper tactical and operational levels, with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead, manage, and coordinate C-IED efforts effectively within multinational environments.

The first three days of the course focused on the IED threat landscape, C-IED doctrine, and operational planning. These theoretical sessions were delivered by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) assigned to the C-IED COE, each specializing in different aspects of the C-IED mission.

The final two days were dedicated to syndicate work, during which students engaged in a practical exercise based on a fictional scenario. This allowed participants to apply the knowledge acquired, debate potential approaches, share operational experiences, and exchange perspectives in a collaborative setting.

This course continues to support the development of a knowledgeable and interoperable C-IED community across NATO and partner nations, reinforcing the Centre’s role as a leading institution in the fight against improvised explosive threats.