This Shot Of USAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal Techs In The Middle East Goes Hard

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U.S. Air Force explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians assigned to the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron recently showed off the tools of their trade in absolutely spectacular fashion. The stunning photo was taken during a controlled demolition somewhere in the U.S. Central Command region.

The picture, published on Jan. 10 by U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT), shows three squadron members, two wearing bomb suits, which are donned when remote manipulation of a device is not an option. Between them is an airman holding an M240 machine gun. They are standing in front of an American flag. Behind it, a ball of flames erupts in the wake of the detonation as a C-17 Globemaster III transport jet soars overhead.

Michael Bay couldn’t have come up with a better shot if he tried.

An airman holding an M240 machine gun is flanked by two wearing bomb suits. (AFCENT)

The photo also offers a glimpse of what these airmen use to detect and disarm roadside bombs, landmines, unexploded ordnance, scattered mines, submunitions released by cluster bombs, and other highly hazardous threats. The job, which offers very little room for error, is not for the faint of heart, to say the least.

On either side of the troops is a Cougar 4×4 Mine Resistant, Armor Protected (MRAP) vehicle. The vehicle to the left is an M-ATV variant. The Cougar to the right is a Recovery of Airbase Denied by Ordnance system (RADBO), featuring a remotely-controlled turreted laser on top to detonate unexploded ordnance and a second alternator to provide the requisite power. The truck also has an extendable arm so that personnel can move debris and other objects weighing up to 50 pounds while sitting safely inside its armored shell. You can read more about this vehicle in our deep dive here.

An airman in a bomb suit stands next to a Recovery of Airbase Denied by Ordnance system (RADBO), the Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle featuring a remote-controlled turreted laser on top. (U.S. Air Force)

There are also four remote-controlled robots pictured that enable the EOD techs to detect and disarm explosives at a standoff distance.

An F6A EOD robot, one of four types of remote-controlled systems featured in the picture. (U.S. Air Force).

These troops and their equipment proved invaluable support during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, protecting U.S. and partner forces. Between Sept. 27, 2002 and the time their mission in Afghanistan ended 12 years later, EOD airmen in Afghanistan and Iraq “completed 55,847 missions and responded to 19,946 IEDs,” Air Force Times reported, citing AFCENT statistics. EOD airmen received more than 100 Purple Hearts and several valor awards for their actions. 

At least 20 EOD airmen were killed during these wars, 12 in Afghanistan and another eight in Iraq, the publication reported. All told, Air Force EOD techs saved countless lives and prevented many more injuries. The service of EOD troops was also given the Hollywood treatment in 2008’s hit movie The Hurt Locker.

Clearly they are pretty proud of their mission, as can be seen in this absolutely epic shot.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com