Countering the threat of IEDs

MAIN OPERATING BASE LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- An Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician from the 466th EOD Flight, Operating Location-Delta, trains for a mission using a specialized metal detector that can find material underground that may be used in an Improvised Explosive Device. The mission of the Airmen of OL-D is primarily focused on countering the IED threat, destroying enemy caches and munitions stockpiles, and responding to threats of indirect fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tyler Placie)

Countering the threat of IEDs

MAIN OPERATING BASE LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- Airman 1st Class Seth Reinhart, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician from the 466th EOD Flight, Operating Location-Delta, trains for a mission using a computer that controls a robot which can be used by an EOD team to get close to suspected Improvised Explosive Devices while they stay protected in an armored vehicle. The mission of the Airmen of OL-D is primarily focused on countering the IED threat, destroying enemy caches and munitions stockpiles, and responding to threats of indirect fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tyler Placie)

Countering the threat of IEDs

MAIN OPERATING BASE LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- A reflection in the sunglasses of Airman 1st Class Seth Reinhart, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician from the 466th EOD Flight, Operating Location-Delta, shows his hand as he trains for a mission using a computer that controls a robot. The robot allows his EOD team to get close to suspected Improvised Explosive Devices while they stay protected in an armored vehicle. The mission of the Airmen of OL-D is primarily focused on countering the IED threat, destroying enemy caches and munitions stockpiles, and responding to threats of indirect fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tyler Placie)

Countering the threat of IEDs

MAIN OPERATING BASE LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- Airman 1st Class Seth Reinhart, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician from the 466th EOD Flight, Operating Location-Delta, pushes a robot from his team’s armored truck so they can train for a mission. The robot is used by the EOD team to get close to suspected Improvised Explosive Devices while they stay protected in an armored vehicle. The mission of the Airmen of OL-D is primarily focused on countering the IED threat, destroying enemy caches and munitions stockpiles, and responding to threats of indirect fire. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Tyler Placie)

Teams counter terrorists' weapon of choice: IEDs

Published Jan. 24, 2012
By Tech. Sgt. Beth Del Vecchio
U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs

MAIN OPERATING BASE LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan -- They've traveled more than 12,000 miles of Afghanistan at less than three miles per hour. They've found and destroyed 3,400 pounds of enemy explosives, approximately the weight of a sport utility vehicle. They've conducted analysis of 53 post-blast sites, gathering information on the weapons of terrorists.

They are the 466th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight, Operating Location-Delta, out of Main Operating Base Leatherneck, Afghanistan and they are the first line of defense in the war against Improvised Explosive Devices.

The mission of the Airmen assigned to OL-D is to counter the terrorist threat of IED use, a more proactive focus compared to the mission at home.

"When in garrison, our primary missions include responding to aircraft incidents and accidents, force protection, and support to the nuclear enterprise," said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Schott, OL-D superintendent. "Our mission in Operation Enduring Freedom is primarily focused on countering the IED threat, destroying enemy caches and munitions stockpiles, and responding to threats of indirect fire."

The 466th EOD is split up into flights at different locations throughout Afghanistan and each are named alpha-numerically. Currently, OL-A is based at Bagram and OL-B is at Kandahar. Within each flight, there are several teams of three EOD technicians who conduct missions outside the wire, attached to U.S. and International Security Assistance Force members.

"Securing freedom of travel for coalition forces and Afghan citizens and countering the terrorist threat is our overarching goal, whether mounted in an armored vehicle, dismounted during planned operations, or on fly-away helicopter insertions," Schott said.

Route clearing missions can take anywhere from three days to three weeks. During these missions, the teams travel on predetermined routes in search of IEDs.

"If our convoy comes across a suspected IED, the point vehicle will investigate the device or site with specialized equipment and we will determine how to proceed from there," said Staff Sgt. Sherri Streu, EOD technician and OL-D Team 10 "Dream Warrior" leader. "We can operate robots from our vehicle to further investigate the device and make it safe."

The robots allow the team to move objects or debris in order to get a better look at a device while they are protected inside a mine resistant vehicle. Streu said the robots act as a remote extension of the team.

"Every foot between us and a device can save your life," she said.

The teams also conduct post-blast analysis on IEDs and detonation sites in order to determine the method of initiation, size and strength of the device used.

Capt. Mark Sakai, OL-D flight commander, said this helps to break up the IED network.

"Explosive Ordnance Disposal forces are capable of rendering IEDs safe, in other words, defusing them rather than simply blowing them up. This allows us to collect evidence and ultimately attack the enemy network in order to prevent IEDs from being put into the ground," the captain said. "Another important part of our mission is the elimination of caches. This depletes the enemy's supply of IED-making material and therefore the number of IEDs or the amount of bullets, rockets, mortars and other weapons they can fire at us."

The Airmen of OL-D have defeated 91 IEDs since arriving in country and are still going strong. They keep their skills sharp as the first line of defense against the most prevalent weapon of terror against forces on the ground.

"It's an honor to serve alongside men and women who lay it all out on the line every day," said Sakai. "Their sacrifices are immeasurable and can never be repaid."