Military Police provide security for bomb squad

Photo By Staff Sgt. David Bill | A ball of flame erupts on a Baghdad highway as the 447th Explosive Ordnance Disposal team performs another controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.26.2005

Courtesy Story

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Sgt David Bill
48th BCT Public Affairs Office

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq " When the call comes in for the 447th Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, the bomb squad Soldiers are not the only ones heading for the door.

The 48th Brigade Combat Team's Military Police platoon follows on EOD's heels to ensure the team has a safe environment in which to work.

These two units have developed a strong bond and excellent working relationship in the six weeks they have been together. They have completed more than 115 missions together, of which more than 90 percent have been the real deal: live ordnance.

On one recent mission, the units responded to a call to dispose of unexploded ordnance placed along the median of a road.

The MPs met with the EOD at a checkpoint, reviewed the location and moved out swiftly down the road toward the location of the device.

While traffic was held back from the site, the MPs quickly set out a security perimeter, checking the area for other possible devices.

Meanwhile, the EOD team went about its job of identifying the device and placed plastic explosives on top of the mine to blow it up.

The countdown for the controlled detonation began.

Someone yelled "Fire in the hole!" three times and then the explosives went off with a deafening blast.

After the debris settled, the EOD team verified there were no other devices in the vicinity.

"That was a good mission," said Staff Sgt. Joseph Vamper, of Macon, Ga. "I like these type of missions. Everyone gets home safe."

As the squad leader, it is Vamper's responsibility to coordinate the convoys and supervise their security as the two units learn how to function as one team.

"We've worked with the EOD for the past six weeks and we know what is required of us, and they can trust us to do the job right." he said.

Over time, the two units have developed a synergy that keeps everyone alive on this very dangerous mission.

"We don't want to leave the EOD out there unprotected," said Spc. Casey Lipscomb, of Bartlesville, Okla. "We feel obligated to stick with them until they leave."

• Date Taken: 08.26.2005
• Date Posted: 08.26.2005 13:50
• Story ID: 2838
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ