Marines with 1st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, based at Camp Pendleton, are training for their deployment to Afghanistan next month.
The Marines have been gearing up since September, according to 1st Marine Logistics Group public affairs.
Accompanying the Marines to Afghanistan will be TALON, a military ordnance disposal robot (see video below).
The biggest threat to human life in battle right now is the improvised explosive device, or IED. Gunnery Sgt. Mark Smith said TALON will help the Marines dispose of the IEDs:
“Right now we are focusing on refining our skills for the IED fight that is still going on in the country. [The team leaders] are observing and making sure the Marines have good [EOD] robot skills and will be able to run the robot efficiently in country and handle an IED safely without getting any one else harmed.”
Marines from 1st EOD Platoon will deploy to Afghanistan, along with augments from the MCAS Miramar-based Marine Wing Support Squadron 373. Motor Transportation Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, and Communications Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 17 will also be heading to Afghanistan next month.
