Bomb disposal
Bomb disposal is the process by which hazardous devices are rendered safe. "Bomb disposal" is an all encompassing term to describe the separate, but interrelated, fields of military (Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD), public safety (Public Safety Bomb Disposal, PSBT) and civilian (Unexploded Ordnance, UXO) operations.
History
World War I and the interwar period
Bomb disposal became a formalised field during World War I. The swift mass production of munitions led to many manufacturing defects, and a large proportion of shells fired by both sides were found to be "duds". [1] These were hazardous to attacker and defender alike. In response, the British dedicated a section of Royal Engineers to handle the growing problem.
In 1918, the Germans developed a delayed-action fuze that would later develop into more sophisticated weaponry during the 1930s, as Nazi Germany began its secret course of arms development. These tests led to the development of UXBs (unexploded bombs), pioneered by Herbert Ruehlemann of Rheinmetall, and first employed during the Spanish Civil War of 1936-37. Such delayed-action bombs provoked terror because of the uncertainty of time. The Germans saw that unexploded bombs caused far more chaos and disruption than bombs that exploded immediately. This caused them to increase their use of delayed-action bombs later in World War II.
British Royal Engineers would soon face armaments and munitions designed to kill civilians and ultimately, themselves. Initially there were no specialized tools, training, or core knowledge available, and as technicians learned how to safely neutralize one type of shell, the enemy would add parts to make neutralization efforts more hazardous. This trend of cat-and-mouse extends even to the present day, and the techniques used to defuse munitions are held to high standards of secrecy.
World War II
Modern EOD Technicians across the world can trace their heritage to the Battle of Britain, when the United Kingdom stood alone against Nazi Germany. In addition to conventional air raids, unexploded bombs (UXBs) also took their toll on population and morale, paralyzing vital services and communications. These delayed-action explosives provoked terror and uncertainty, with complex fuses equipped with anti-tampering devices. Royal Engineers responded on the ground by devising methods to inert and remove deadly bombs and anti-personnel mines. These were the first Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians.
The United States War Department felt the RE Bomb Disposal experience could be a valuable asset, based on reports from U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps observers at Melksham Royal Air Force Base at Wiltshire, England in 1940. The next year, the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) and War Department both sponsored a bomb disposal program, which gradually fell under military governance due to security and technical reasons. OCD personnel continued to train in UXB reconnaissance throughout the war. After Pearl Harbor, the British Royal Engineers sent instructors to Aberdeen Proving Ground, where the U.S. Army would inaugurate a formal bomb disposal school under the Ordnance Corps.
Lt. Col. Geoffrey Yates (RE) and his British colleagues also helped establish the USN Mine Disposal School at the Naval Gun Factory, Washington, DC. Not to be outdone, the US Navy, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Draper L. Kauffman (who would go on to found the Underwater Demolition Teams -- better known as UDTs or the U.S. Navy Frogmen), created the USN Bomb Disposal School at University Campus, Washington, D.C. U.S. Ordnance and British Royal Engineers would forge a partnership that worked quite effectively in war -- a friendship persisting to this day.
1942 was a banner year for the fledgling EOD program. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Thomas Kane, who began in 1940 as a bomb disposal instructor in the School of Civilian Defense, traveled with eight other troops to the UK for initial EOD training. Kane took over the US Army Bomb Disposal School at Aberdeen Proving Ground. Three members of Kane's training mission later served as bomb disposal squad commanders in the battlefield: Ronald L. Felton (12th Bomb Disposal Squad Separate) in Italy, Joseph C. Pilcher (17th Bomb Disposal Squad Separate) in France and Germany, and Richard Metress (209th Bomb Disposal Squad Separate) in the Philippines Islands. Captain Metress and most of his squad were killed in 1945 while dismantling a Japanese IED.
Graduates of the Aberdeen School formed the first Army Bomb Disposal companies, starting with the 231st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company. The now-familiar shoulder emblem for Army EOD technicians, a red bomb on an oval, black background was approved for them to wear. Following initial deployments in North Africa and Sicily, U.S. Army commanders registered their disapproval of these cumbersome units. In 1943, companies were phased out, to be replaced by mobile seven-man squads in the field. In 1944, Col. Thomas Kane oversaw all European Theater bomb disposal operations, starting with reconnaissance training for the U.S. forces engaging the Germans on D-Day. Unfortunately, the Pacific Theater lacked a similar administration. Late in 1942, the first US Navy EOD casualty was recorded. Ensign Howard, USNR, was performing a render-safe procedure against a German moored mine when it detonated. Only a few months later, the first two Army EOD fatalities occurred during the Aleutian Islands campaign. While conducting EOD operations on Attu Island, LT Rodger & T/SGT Rapp (commander and NCOIC of 5th Ordnance Bomb Disposal Squad) were fatally injured by unexploded ordnance.
Overall, about forty Americans were killed outright performing the specialized services of bomb and mine disposal in World War II. Scores more were maimed or injured during combat operations requiring ordnance support. At Schwammanuel Dam in Germany, two bomb disposal squads acting as a "T Force" were exposed to enemy mortar and small arms fire. Captain Marshall Crow (18th Squad) took serious wounds, even as his party drove German defenders from their positions.'
Ironically, the only major ordnance attack against the continental U.S. would be handled by the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, who deal with the Japanese Fu-Go balloon bomb menace in 1945. The all-black 555th "Smokejumpers" were trained by ordnance personnel to defuse these incendiary bombs before they could kill civilians or start forest fires.
Following the war, U.S. bomb disposal technicians continued to clear Nazi and Japanese stockpiles, remove UXO from battlefields, while training host nation troops to do these tasks. This established a tradition for U.S. EOD services to operate during peace as well as war.
Colonel Kane remained in contact with EOD until his retirement in 1955. He urged reforms in the bomb disposal & ordnance disposal organization and training policy. Wartime errors were rectified in 1947 when Army personnel started attending a new school at Indian Head, MD, under U.S. Navy direction. This course was named the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course, governing training in all basic types of ammunition and projectiles.
1947 also saw the Army Air Corps separate and become the US Air Force, gaining their own EOD branch. That same year, the forerunner of the EOD Technology Center, the USN Bureau of Naval Weapons, charged with research, development, test, and evaluation of EOD tools, tactics and procedures was born. 1949 marked the official end of an era, as Army and Navy Bomb Disposal squads were reclassified into Explosive Ordnance Disposal units.
In 1953, reflecting the trend in name changing, the EOD School formally became the Naval School, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD). Two years later, the Army Bomb Disposal School would close, making Indian Head the sole Joint Service EOD School in the US. That is, until 1985, when work began on the current EOD School at Eglin AF Base, Florida.
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The current, most recognizable distinctive item of wear by EOD technicians, affectionately referred to as the ‘crab’, began uniform wear as the Basic EOD Qualification Badge in 1957. The Master Badge would not appear until 1969. (See picture on the right)
On 31 March 2004, the U.S. Army EOD Headquarters at Ft. Gillem, GA dedicated its new building to Col. Thomas J. Kane (1900-65). Whether Kane Hall remains after the Bush Administration's recent base closure announcement remains to be seen.
EOD in low intensity conflicts
The eruption of low intensity conflicts and terror waves at the beginning of the 21st century caused further development in the techniques and methods of bomb disposal. EOD Operators and Technicians had to adapt to rapidly evolving methods of constructing improvised explosive devices ranging from shrapnel-filled explosive belts to 100-kg IED charges. Since improvised explosives are generally unreliable and very unstable they pose great risk to the public and especially to the EOD Operator, trying to render them safe. Therefore, new methods like greater reliance on remote techniques, such as advanced remotely operated vehicles such as EOD robots or armored bulldozers evolved. The US Army and the Israeli Defence Forces both have remote-control EOD vehicles and EOD bulldozers (the D7 MCAP and the armored D9R respectively). Other developments include using Advanced Electronic Countermeasures to prevent insurgents to activate charges remotely.
The British Armed Forces have become experts in bomb disposal after many years dealing with bombs planted by the IRA. These came in many different forms, particularly car bombs rigged to explode in a variety of manners. As such the first personnel sent into Iraq in 2003 were, amongst others, British bomb disposal experts of 5131 Bomb Disposal Sqn RAF.
During the al-Aksa Intifada, Israeli EOD forces have disarmed and detonated thousand of explosive charges, lab bombs and explosive ammunition (such as rockets). Two Israeli EOD teams gained high reputation for leading the efforts in that area: the army's Israeli Engineering Corps' Sayeret Yaalom and the Israeli Border Guard Gaza-area EOD team.
In Iraq, the U.S.-led coalition forces have to face many IEDs (improvised explosive devices) on travel routes. Such charges can easily destroy light vehicles such as the HMMWV but large one can even destroy main battle tank such as the M1A1 Abrams. Side charges caused many casualties to US forces and are major threat in Iraq along the car bombs and suicide bombers. These are the main challenge of the US EOD forces today, which is shared by many security and defence companies and contractors.
Fields of operations
EOD
Bomb Technicians in the US military are called EOD Technicians. In addition to manufactured munitions, EOD Technicians also deal with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They are experts in chemical, biological, incendiary, radiological ("dirty bombs"), and nuclear weapons. They provide support to VIPs, help civilian authorities with bomb problems, teach troops about bomb safety, and a variety of other tasks.
Army EOD Technician candidates attend a 10 week preperation course at Redstone Arsenal Alabama, while all prospective EOD Technicians attend a grueling course of instruction at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. This school has a high attrition rate because of the very high standards necessary.
Sometimes, people confuse engineers or sappers with EOD Technicians. While engineers and sappers do, on occasion, deal with explosive devices, their roles are limited normally to improving the mobility of troops. They are not Bomb Technicians.
Although not officially considered part of the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), US Navy EOD teams routinely deploy in support of NAVSPECWAR and US ARMY SF. Secret Service support is routinely distributed amongst EOD units in all four of the services. USN EOD now falls under the Navy's new Naval Expeditionary Warfare Command.
US Navy EOD members are qualified in both static and free-fall parachute jumps and can be parachuted or delivered by helicopter to minefields or to other areas suspected to have explosive traps or devices. They are able to operate both closed and open circuit (bubbleless units verses conventional SCUBA) diving rigs as well as hard hat deep water operations. They receive advanced electronics, CBR, marine mammal handling, and small arms training. Additionally, some members are trained in foreign languages to provide the ability to operate better in foreign nations. Navy EOD also takes part in non-permissive Maritime Interdition Operations boarding ships with SEAL and FAST. Members of EOD are attached to SOF teams for Counter-terrorism duties that involve IEDs, CBRN materials, Hostage clearing, and explosive door-breaching. They also have operated in the past with forces from other countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom. In addition, a large part of the Navy's Naval Special Clearance Team 1 is made of personnel from the USN Explosive Ordnance Disposal units.
The USAF is also developing a SOF support role for their EOD forces with a focus on airfield seizure. The Army and Marine EOD communities continue to be at the forefront of traditional battlefield EOD operations. EOD forces from all four services actively take place in the Joint POW-MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), formerly called Joint Task Force- Full Accounting, mission to locate US MIA/POW in Vietnam and Demining in South East Asia.
PSBT
US Army EOD covers both on and off base calls unless there is a local PSBT or "Public Safety Bomb Technician". Also called a "Hazardous Devices Technician", PSBTs are usually members of a Police department, although there are teams formed by fire departments or emergency management agencies.
To be certified, PSBTs must attend the FBI's Hazardous Devices School at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. This school helps them to become experts in the detection, diagnosis and disposal of hazardous devices. They are further trained to collect evidence in hazardous devices, and present expert witness testimony in court on bombing cases. There are not many Hazardous Devices Units (formerly called Bomb Squads) in the US. Many are not staffed full-time. In other words, the Technicians who staff these teams are normally Patrolmen or Detectives when they are not responding to bomb calls or training.
UXO
In the quest to build the best, safest munition systems possible, and then train troops to safely utilize them, many acres of government land are currently restricted for bombing ranges. As time goes along, it becomes the best interest of the government to turn these lands back over to the public for reutilization. Before this can occur, specialists in unexploded ordnance (UXO) must be brought in to clear the lands of ordnance and explosive waste. These civilians, usually retired military EOD Technicians, use specialized tools for subsurface examination of the lands. When munitions are found, they safely neutralize them and remove them from the site.
While most UXO Technicians are former military, there is a US school civilians can attend to become certified as a Tech I conducted by Texas A&M University.
Techniques
Generally EOD render safe procedures (RSP) are a type of tradecraft protected from public dissemination in order to limit access and knowledge, depriving the enemy of specific technical procedures used to render safe ordnance or an improvised device.
Many techniques exist for the neutralization of a bomb or munition. Selection of a technique depends on several variables. The greatest variable is the proximity of the munition or device to people or critical facilities. Explosives in remote localities are handled very differently from those in densely-population areas, for example.
Contrary to Hollywood lore, the role of the Bomb Technician is to accomplish their task as remotely as possible. Actually laying hands on a bomb is only done in an extremely life-threatening situation, where the hazards to people and critical structures can't be lessened.
Bomb Technicians have many tools for remote operations, one of which is the RCV, or remotely controlled vehicle. Outfitted with cameras, microphones, and sensors for chemical, biological, or nuclear agents, the RCV can help the Technician get an excellent idea of what the munition or device is. Many of these robots even have hand-like manipulators in case a door needs to be opened, or a munition or bomb requires handling or moving.
Also of great use are items that allow a Bomb Technician to remotely diagnose the innards of a munition or IED. These include devices similar to the X-ray used by medical personnel, and high-performance sensors that can detect and help interpret sounds, odors, or even images from within the munition or bomb.
Once the Technicians determine exactly what the munition or device is, and what state it currently is in, they will formulate a procedure to render it safe. This may include things as simple as replacing safety features, or as difficult as using high-powered explosive-actuated devices to shear, jam, bind, or remove parts of the item's firing train.
Preferably, this will be accomplished remotely, but there are still circumstances when a robot won't do, and a Technician must put themself at risk by personally going near the bomb. The Technician will don a specialized suit, using flame and fragmentation-resistant material similar to bulletproof vests. Some suits have advanced features such as internal cooling, amplified hearing, and communications back to the control area. This suit is designed to increase the odds of survival for the Technician should the munition or IED function while they are near it.
Rarely, the specifics of a munition or bomb will allow the Technician to first remove it from the area. In these cases, a containment vessel is used. Some are shaped like small water tanks, others like large spheres. Using remote methods, the Technician places the item in the container and retires to a uninhabited area to complete the neutralization. Because of the instability and complexity of modern bombs, this is rarely done.
After the munition or bomb has been rendered safe, the Technicians will assist in the removal of the remaining parts so the area can be returned to normal.
All of this, called a mission or evolution, can take a great deal of time. Because of the construction of devices, a waiting period must be taken to ensure that whatever render-safe method was used worked as intended. While time is usually not on the Bomb Technician's side, rushing usually ends in disaster.
Other Bomb Techncian tasks
In addition to neutralizing munitions or IEDs, conducting training and presenting evidence, Techncians also respond to other problems. They dispose of old or unstable explosives, such as ones used in quarrying or mining, as well as old or unstable fireworks and ammunition. They escort VIP's and dignitaries. They assist SWAT, raid and entry teams with boobytrap detection and avoidance. Another function of a Bomb Technician is the conducting of post-blast investigations. The Bomb Technicians' training and experience with improvised explosive devices (IED's) make them an integral part of any bombing investigation. Another part of a Technician's job involves supporting the US Secret Service. This involves searching all places that the President, Vice President or other protected dignitaries travel, stay or visit.
The meaning of the United States EOD badge
US military EOD Technicians are awarded a specialized badge upon successful completion of school, informally referred to as a 'crab'. Civilian PSBTs have a similar badge. The components of the badge each have a special meaning:
- The Wreath: Symbolic of the achievements and laurels gained in minimizing incidents through the ingenuity and devotion to duty of its members. It is in memory of those EOD members who gave their lives while performing EOD duties.
- The Bomb: Copied from the design of the World War II Bomb Disposal badge, represents the historic and major objective of the EOD mission, the unexploded bomb. The three fins represent the major areas of nuclear, conventional and chemical/biological interest.
- Lightning Bolts: Symbolizes the potential destructive power of the bomb and the courage and professionalism of EOD personnel.
- The Shield: Represents the EOD mission -- to prevent a detonation and protect the surrounding area and property to the utmost.
"Initial success or total failure"
This is a common motto of Bomb Technicians. If the explosive device is not handled effectively on the first attempt, many times the result is total failure (i.e., it detonates). Consequences are the possible injury or death of personnel and/or damage or total destruction to equipment.
External links
- Dudbuster Dudbuster - the US home of EOD and PSBT guys.
- NAVSCOLEOD US Naval School, EOD - Home of the United States Joint Service EOD School
- Royal Engineers Museum - Bomb Disposal
- Royal Engineers Museum - Bomb Disposal George Crosses
- USAF EOD US Air Force EOD Home page
- REDSTONE Redstone Arsenal, home of the US Hazardous Devices School
- Fort Bragg EOD recruiting page, contains some good images.
- Mulvaney on Bomb Disposal Cartoons from the World War II newsletter of the US Naval Bomb Disposal School
- EOD memorial, in remembrance to those that gave their lives. Also provides academic scolarships for their families.
- British EOD Club One of the Top EOD related Sites out there.
- Danger UXB 1979 BBC drama about bomb disposal in WWII
- more links An excellent source of links from the Frozen Chosen!
- Samuel J. Hooper, The History of U.S. Army Bomb Disposal and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (1941-1980). (unpublished manuscript) c.1981.
- Jeffrey M. Leatherwood, Nine from Aberdeen: Colonel Thomas J. Kane and the Genesis of U.S. Army Bomb Disposal in World War II. [Master's Thesis] Western Carolina University. Department of History, c. 2004.
- Christopher Ransted, Bomb Disposal and the British Casualties of WW2, c. 2004.