Reservists help clear Iraq streets, fields of bombs
by Jessica D'Aurizio
917th Wing Public Affairs
2/18/2004 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (AFPN) -- One wrong move could mean death for people who earn a living making bombs safe.
Encountering weapons, explosive devices and booby traps is a daily activity for four explosive ordnance disposal technicians currently deployed to Iraq from the 917th Wing here.
"I put my life in the hands of my teammates," said Senior Master Sgt. Martin Wright, superintendent of the Air Force Reserve Command unit's EOD section. "We hold a common bond of protecting each others' lives at any given moment."
The activated reservists have been attacked by several rockets since arriving in Iraq in early December, said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Smith, wing EOD team leader in Baghdad.
"It's critical to know exactly what they (the enemy) are firing and its capabilities," Sergeant Smith said. "Once a life is lost, it is too late to find out what made the bomb tick."
Explosive ordnance disposal teams travel in combat patrols because attacks and ambushes are imminent. They set the focus of trying to keep each other alive.
"It's hard not being able to trust anyone," Sergeant Smith said. "You ask yourself, do they want to shake your hand for freeing them from 30 years of terror or to get close enough to detonate a suicide or car bomb."
When the reservists drive through populated areas, children either wave or throw bricks at them. One time, a 10-year-old child shot at their vehicle with a handgun.
"It's our belief that most Iraqis are grateful for their new-found freedom," Sergeant Smith said. "Unfortunately the few who still hate us are capable of killing us. They prove that every day"
Four EOD operators have lost their lives in Iraq since the Barksdale reservists arrived in country. At times they feel their job is pointless because there are so many weapons to search and destroy. A buy-back program is in the works to get as many weapons as possible off the streets.
"Our effectiveness and success directly impact the Iraqi people's way of life in regards to safety and well-being," said Tech. Sgt. Kyle Waller, a 917th Wing EOD technician. "My witness to what 30 years of tyranny and unruly dictatorship has done to this country is far worse than any Third World country I have seen. People live hand-to-mouth on a daily basis to survive. Knowing that Iraqi children may have a brighter future due to my efforts here makes it all worthwhile."
Besides disarming roadside bombs day and night, the EOD technicians sometimes have an opportunity to perform a "humanitarian de-mining," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Montrose, another EOD technician from the 917th Wing.
"We have made it possible for some village children to play in their back yards again and for the farmers to get back to raising crops and livestock for their survival," Sergeant Montrose said.
In two days the reservists disposed of more than 300 deadly bomblets in a farmer's field just outside the airport.
"It's important that we show the Iraqi people and (the Islamic world) that we won't back down from our commitments," Sergeant Montrose said. "We promised to help Iraq get back on its feet. They can't do that with explosives on every corner." (Courtesy of AFRC News Service) |
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