EOD techs learn the intricacies of robot repair

Photo By Cpl. Michael Dye | Sergeant Jacoby Norris, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with 2nd EOD Company, 8th Engineering Support Battalion, assembles a Man Transportable Robotics System MK2 Talon aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 25, 2015. Marines with 2nd EOD learned how to disassemble and reassemble the MK2 robot and also how to replace component parts. This training is important, because if something breaks on the robot in the field or in combat conditions the Marines have the skills to complete an on-site repair. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Michael Dye/Released)  

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

03.26.2015

Story by Cpl. Michael Dye 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marines with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineering Support Battalion, conducted training on the disassembly and reassembly of the Man Transportable Robotics System MK2 Talon aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 25, 2015.

“The MK2 Talon is used as a tool to remotely assess any threat,” said Sgt. Kharlange Joseph, an EOD tech with the company. “It allows us to keep a safe distance from any danger.”

The Marines did not spend their day just taking apart and putting back together the robot, but took the time to truly understand how the machine works.

“This robot is a tool,” said Joseph, the Ellenwood, Georgia native. “Think of a Marine and his rifle. Every Marine knows how to take it apart, how it works, and if something is not working properly on the rifle, you know where to begin to fix it; same thing goes for these robots.”

Knowing how the robot works and how to repair it gives them a working knowledge of its capabilities and limitations.

Being able to repair these machines on site is a useful advantage.

“In Iraq and Afghanistan, we had buildings of contractors whose sole job was repairing these robots,” Joseph said. “If we need to go somewhere remote, at a moment's notice, we are not going to have a contractor who will fix these robots; it will be up to us to do it.”

The MTRS MK2 Talon is a traverse robot, it’s capable of crossing harsh terrain, and it’s designed to handle explosives, however, with one critical flaw; they break.

“Now we have the ability to take two non-working robots and combine the parts, and construct one working robot to keep us one step ahead of an enemy,” Joseph said.

Keeping Marines as far away from a threat is the robot’s function.

Now these Marines have the ability and knowledge to complete on-site repairs that can help keep them safe and alive.

• Date Taken: 03.26.2015
• Date Posted: 03.26.2015 18:07
• Story ID: 158272
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US