Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • Military & Police
    • Tactics & Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
  • News
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Special Weapons
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Culture
    • Military & Police
    • Tactics & Training
  • Videos
No Result
View All Result
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun News and Gun Reviews
No Result
View All Result
 
FREE GUN FRIDAY > Enter to WIN the Ruger PC Charger & PC Carbine, Ammo from Black Hills and the Caldwell Portable Range Kit!

Bomb Technicians Lead Fight Against IEDs

Tactical-Life.com by Tactical-Life.com
November 28, 2011
in Uncategorized
0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2009 – Improvised explosive devices have forced a change in modern combat. Deadly weapons can come in the form of a five-gallon bucket, a package in the mail or a filled-in pothole in the middle of the road.

No one knows that better than Air Force Staff Sgt. Armando Robles and Airman 1st Class Rileigh Woodward, members of a military “bomb squad.” Robles and Woodward discussed IEDs and other threats in Afghanistan during an Oct. 8 “DoD Live” bloggers roundtable. The two serve as joint expeditionary tasked airmen assigned to the 755th Air Expeditionary Group at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

Airmen on the ground in explosive ordnance disposal units are scattered across Afghanistan in teams, searching for and dismantling explosive devices before they can harm anyone. They use unique tools, from multi-million-dollar robots and mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles to water and plastic bottles — anything that can be used is being used — to defeat these threats.

Robles and Woodward work in and around Bagram Airfield, going out on calls when potential threats are reported, similar to a city fire department. But the battle against IEDs, they said, is much more than driving around and disposing of potentially harmful explosives.

“It’s part of our mission to maintain evidence integrity,” Woodward said. “We don’t just go out there and haphazardly blow something up. We want to bring back evidence and give it to appropriate units, so they can continue their portion of the counter-IED mission.”

A big part of the focus in fighting bomb-makers is winning the “hearts and minds” of the local Afghans. Seeking out the builders, the people teaching those builders and those who support the process of building IEDs in general are crucial to defeating the IED threat, the airmen noted.

“We’re trying to get the people, the industry, the villages, the elders and telling them this whole IED threat isn’t benefitting anybody,” Woodward said. “It covers a lot more than just what we as EOD technicians are going out and … defeating devices. It covers a very broad spectrum of getting [Afghans] to not support the guys that are making [explosives].”

In that sense, the anti-IED mission is more like a crime investigation than a traditional military operation.

The airmen said many inroads have been made into catching bomb-makers in Afghanistan using crime scene investigation techniques. Biometric data gathered from defused or undetonated explosives helps to track suspects, and analysis of the technology used helps to create profiles for unidentified bomb builders.

“Depending on the terrain, the area, and the time of year, … you’ll see that some areas are using the same pieces and parts, or using different pieces, but they’re built the same way,” Woodward said.

The database of information isn’t as big as it could be, he said, but many arrests have been made and bomb-makers are being identified thanks to patterns in the information EOD technicians, intelligence officers and other units gather.

But while contributing to an arrest or defusing an IED is satisfying, the two airmen said, it’s hardly the most rewarding part of their job. They said contributing to their fellow servicemembers’ safety is a big part of it.

Looking at the big picture, Robles said, reminds him why he works in an EOD unit.

“It’s usually afterwards, when I find out the impact … that I see the reward, [and] I feel it and reap the benefits in that sense,” he said. “The greatest benefit [to me] is knowing that as a team or a unit, we come back alive and uninjured.”

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

The Beretta American Defender program offers discounts to first responders

Beretta American Defender Program Offers Discounts for First Responders

The Springfield Armory SA-35 is an updated version of the JMB classic

Springfield Armory SA-35 Review

A direct mount option is now available for Glock MOS pistols for LE agency purchase

Glock MOS with Direct Mounting Now Available for LE Purchase

Mossberg 590 Shockwave review for home defense myths

4 Home Defense Myths You Need to Stop Repeating

Load More

TACTICAL-LIFE ARTICLE PAGE VIDEO

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

The Beretta American Defender program offers discounts to first responders

Beretta American Defender Program Offers Discounts for First Responders

In appreciation of First Responders and Military Personnel, Beretta USA announces that it has launched its Beretta American Defender Program. This program...

Read more

TRENDING

ATF Agent James Burk sued Columbus police, excessive force, reup

VIDEO: ATF Agent James Burk Tased by Columbus Police, Files Suit

...

Mossberg 590 Shockwave review for home defense myths

4 Home Defense Myths You Need to Stop Repeating

...

The Dicken Drill is named for Eli Dicken who saved many lives in the Greenwood Mall

The Elisjsha Dicken Drill

...

what are the best revolvers for home defense

Best Revolvers for Home Defense [2022]

...

PICK A CATEGORY

TACTICS & TRAINING SPOTLIGHT

Mossberg 590 Shockwave review for home defense myths

4 Home Defense Myths You Need to Stop Repeating

We cover home defense related issues a lot here on Tactical Life. Whether it's using a revolver for home defense,...

TACTICS & TRAINING SHOWCASE

The Dicken Drill is named for Eli Dicken who saved many lives in the Greenwood Mall

The Elisjsha Dicken Drill

You've got your concealed carry gun on you and get stopped by the cops. What do you do next?

What to Do When Pulled Over with a Concealed Carry

If you're serious about learning tactics for stopping an active shooter, you have to train hard

Tactics for Stopping an Active Shooter

it's important to know concealed carry laws by state

Concealed Carry Laws by State

Gun cleaning gunk 5000 rounds

Gun Cleaning: 5 Reasons Why You Need to Clean Your Firearms

learning the art of clearing pistol malfunctions could save your life

Clearing Pistol Malfunctions: A Lifesaving Self Defense Skill

Top 10 Lifesaving Concealed Carry Tips for 2022

Top 10 Lifesaving Concealed Carry Tips for 2022

Stippling a handgun

6 Steps to Stippling a Gun for Beginners

What Are NFA Trusts?

What Are NFA Trusts?

site logo
Tactical Life Gun Magazine: Gun news, gun reviews and gun magazines for gun enthusiasts, military and law enforcement
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • Rifles
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
  • Knives
  • Gear
    • Holsters
    • Optics & Sights
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Suppressors
  • Military & Police
  • News
  • Tactics & Training
  • Videos
    • LATEST VIDEOS
    • FREE GUN FRIDAY
    • RELOADING ZONE
    • SCCY Branded Videos
  • Publications
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

© 2022 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.