Bombs no match for this 'bot
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Christopher Ferrell, 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight noncommissioned officer, tests the operability of a Talon robot by manipulating a disarmed improvised explosive device here, May 26. The robot is used to disarm unexploded ordnances up to 1,000 meters away from the robot operator. EOD Airmen respond to UXO findings within the confines of Balad AB and also participate in convoy operations with U.S. Army Soldiers identifying and disabling roadside improvised explosive devices that endanger the lives of traveling coalition forces and Iraqi civilians. Robot operators must work quickly and carefully without letting stress affect their performance. Sergeant Ferrell is deployed from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)