It may be buried, but it’s not treasure

  • Published
  • By Capt. Susan A. Romano
  • 407th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  Sweeping is practically part of everyday life here among the constant dust, sand and gravel that tends to build up everywhere.

But there are other sweepers here who play a much more critical role in keeping Tallil “clean.”

A team of explosive ordnance disposal experts systematically sweep the entire base to eliminate all unexploded-ordnance hazards and defeat improvised explosive devices to protect U.S. forces.

Over the past two weeks, the team recovered or destroyed more than 11,000 explosive items found within the base’s perimeter. On average, the team destroys about 1,500 items per week.

“Unexploded ordnance … (pose) a significant risk to the people and resources within our perimeter,” said Capt. Doug Tippet, EOD flight chief. “Although a lot of what we find is above ground, a larger percentage of explosives are buried underground.

“We just recently recovered UXOs at the base fire department, just steps from tent city,” he said.

The 12-person team works closely with coalition forces here to clear the area of UXOs.

“We have a strong working relationship with our coalition partners,” said Senior Master Sgt. Marc Savy, EOD flight superintendent. “The Italians and the South Koreans have played a large role in clearing Tallil of explosive hazards.”

Nearly 350,000 items have been destroyed since the Air Force began disposing explosives here.

Most of the explosives are remnants of the 1991 Gulf War. Sand and dust storms have covered up much of the remaining explosives, but Captain Tippet said, “The earth will continue to give up new UXOs every rainfall and sand storm for years to come.”