@ barnstormer1968
Well written.
In addition. With IEDs you have to think in three dimensions; not only as to where they may be placed, but also as to direction of charges. You also have to think of stacked or layered IEDs or linked or a combination. Then IEDs don't have to look like an IED should look like (stick of dynamite, coiled wires and ticking clock). Detectors don't help as you may see an object and not know it is an IED. Other times due to composition & size of IEDs, even when surface laid you may not see them. Someone has mentioned ground penetration radar and also "detecting disturbed soil". That's fine as long as they are buried and can be picked up by the survey kit. But many IEDs do not conform to this. There may also be many false positives. There are many other issues and potential solutions. Not all work in all situations. A mixture of solutions is often required, and even then won't be 100 % effective.
The best solutions are to avoid said areas, good intel, helicopters (helps a bit, but not when at location), or to blow the whole place up and set off all IEDS.
Much missed out, but hopefully my posting indicates some of the difficulties.
Hval