Deployed civil engineering squadron retreats with explosive ordinance robot

Airmen from the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron, at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, take the lead in folding the American flag for this CE retreat formation April 9, but when an Air Force explosive ordinance disposal technician heads downrange, the robot goes first. Robotic systems like this one to the right of the flag have saved numerous lives by helping to eliminate the threat of improvised explosive devices which troops encounter in Afghanistan. The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing brings together active duty, reserve and Air National Guard Airmen joined with civilian patriots and DoD contractors to carry out its diverse mission of all-weather high-altitude ISR, airborne command and control and air refueling with a "One Team, One Fight" attitude. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Capt. Cathleen Snow/Released)