Bomb Robot Comes to Seymour: The explosive ordinance disposal technicians of the 4th Fighter Wing at Seymour-Johnson AFB, N.C., recently showed off some new equipment that will help them defuse and disarm explosives. The squad now has a Bomb Squad Emergency Response Vehicle, complete with a bomb disarming robot. The BSERV is built on a fire truck chassis, packed with the robot—or remote ordinance neutralization system—and monitors and cameras to watch and control the robot from a safe distance. The truck also has monitors outside so officials may watch the action without disturbing the technicians working inside. The technology moves the squad into the 21st century, MSgt. Larry Price, the EOD flight chief told the Goldsboro (N.C.) News-Argus. The vehicle can be deployed on either the C-5 or the C-17.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.