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Preparing for 'the longest walk' Preparing for a 'long lonely walk'
(1 day later)
By Mario Cacciottolo BBC News Lt Charlie Martell has been involved in defusing thousands of explosivesBy Mario Cacciottolo BBC News Lt Charlie Martell has been involved in defusing thousands of explosives
"My hands had slipped twice in two days on landmines I was defusing. By the third day I thought - that's enough.""My hands had slipped twice in two days on landmines I was defusing. By the third day I thought - that's enough."
Charlie Martell, 38, of Gloucestershire, is a lieutenant in the Territorial Army and formerly carried out bomb disposal while serving in the Royal Engineers, which he left in 1998.Charlie Martell, 38, of Gloucestershire, is a lieutenant in the Territorial Army and formerly carried out bomb disposal while serving in the Royal Engineers, which he left in 1998.
This most dangerous of roles has been brought sharply into focus by the death of British bomb disposal expert Olaf Schmid in Afghanistan.This most dangerous of roles has been brought sharply into focus by the death of British bomb disposal expert Olaf Schmid in Afghanistan.
The walk towards an explosive device is famously described as "the longest walk" by those who risk their lives to make safe bombs, mines and improvised explosive devices. The walk towards an explosive device is often called "the longest walk" after the phrase was made famous during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Lt Martell recently returned to the UK after carrying out bomb disposal for the UN in Nepal, and says his closest encounter with death came in south-east Angola, when he made two mistakes. Certainly, it is a fitting description for the task undertaken by those who risk their lives to make safe bombs and improvised explosive devices.
Lt Martell recently returned to the UK after carrying out bomb disposal and mine clearance for the UN in Nepal, and says his closest encounter with death came in south-east Angola, when he made two mistakes.
"My hands were sweaty and dirty and I was unscrewing landmines to defuse them. But I stopped after slipping twice. It wouldn't have taken much for them to have gone bang in my hands.""My hands were sweaty and dirty and I was unscrewing landmines to defuse them. But I stopped after slipping twice. It wouldn't have taken much for them to have gone bang in my hands."
You do get an adrenalin rush, there's sweat pouring off your face, the nerves are kicking in and if your hairs stand up on the back of your neck that's your sixth sense telling you something Charlie Martell,bomb disposal expertYou do get an adrenalin rush, there's sweat pouring off your face, the nerves are kicking in and if your hairs stand up on the back of your neck that's your sixth sense telling you something Charlie Martell,bomb disposal expert
Lt Martell said becoming a bomb disposal expert was initially a "selfish decision, because you're thinking about your career, but it becomes more about what you can do for other people - your team, the British army, the civilians living near bombs".Lt Martell said becoming a bomb disposal expert was initially a "selfish decision, because you're thinking about your career, but it becomes more about what you can do for other people - your team, the British army, the civilians living near bombs".
He said that one of the biggest skills required was diplomacy, being able to deal with people - civilian and military - to take command of the situation.He said that one of the biggest skills required was diplomacy, being able to deal with people - civilian and military - to take command of the situation.
"Once you have command you can think about what you're going to do."Once you have command you can think about what you're going to do.
"You do get an adrenalin rush, there's sweat pouring off your face, the nerves are kicking in and if your hairs stand up on the back of your neck that's your sixth sense telling you something."You do get an adrenalin rush, there's sweat pouring off your face, the nerves are kicking in and if your hairs stand up on the back of your neck that's your sixth sense telling you something.
"Personally I just focus on the job, I wouldn't even think about family or friends at that time.""Personally I just focus on the job, I wouldn't even think about family or friends at that time."
Intelligence gatheringIntelligence gathering
He said the British army's bomb disposal experts tended to be either members of the Royal Logistics Corps or the Royal Engineers.He said the British army's bomb disposal experts tended to be either members of the Royal Logistics Corps or the Royal Engineers.
According to Lt Martell, the former often use robots and bomb suits, whereas the latter will lay their hands on devices such as mines. And he dampened down the theory that those in bomb disposal will let off steam by binge-drinking and partying following the highs that come after a brush with a bomb.
And he pays special mention to those members of the Royal Engineers, the "unsung heroes" who actually scout around for explosive devices, make sketches or photographs of them and pass this intelligence on to those who will attempt the defusing.
Lt Martell also dampens down the theory that those in bomb disposal will let off steam by binge-drinking and partying following the highs that come after a brush with a bomb.
"I think this idea has come from the film The Hurt Locker. Certainly the men I've worked with in the British army don't do that, it's a more thoughtful process."I think this idea has come from the film The Hurt Locker. Certainly the men I've worked with in the British army don't do that, it's a more thoughtful process.
"We de-briefed, checked and repaired equipment, and prepared to do better the next time. We certainly didn't kick back and get drunk.""We de-briefed, checked and repaired equipment, and prepared to do better the next time. We certainly didn't kick back and get drunk."
Bomb disposal experts are extensively trained to prepare for their roleBomb disposal experts are extensively trained to prepare for their role
For those who decide to undertake this most dangerous of roles, training starts as soon as they join the Army and they are often classed as ammunitions technicians. Their career is geared towards working up to the high-threat bomb disposal role.For those who decide to undertake this most dangerous of roles, training starts as soon as they join the Army and they are often classed as ammunitions technicians. Their career is geared towards working up to the high-threat bomb disposal role.
They will start by learning about the safe handling of munitions - a "store room" role that teaches them about manoeuvring, storing and supplying conventional weapons.They will start by learning about the safe handling of munitions - a "store room" role that teaches them about manoeuvring, storing and supplying conventional weapons.
Then they would complete a low-threat course. This would enable them to deal with incidents such as suspect packages at railway stations in the UK.Then they would complete a low-threat course. This would enable them to deal with incidents such as suspect packages at railway stations in the UK.
They would then progress on to the high-threat course, which involves dealing with hidden devices that are often booby trapped, like those encountered in Afghanistan.They would then progress on to the high-threat course, which involves dealing with hidden devices that are often booby trapped, like those encountered in Afghanistan.
'Extremely intense''Extremely intense'
The teams that deal with IEDs (improvised explosive devices) are separate from those that handle other munitions such as mines, mortars and bombs.The teams that deal with IEDs (improvised explosive devices) are separate from those that handle other munitions such as mines, mortars and bombs.
For example, a different team would deal with an air-dropped bomb that did not detonate.For example, a different team would deal with an air-dropped bomb that did not detonate.
Royal Logistic Corps Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, who had made safe 64 bombs during five months in Afghanistan, died as he tried to defuse another.Royal Logistic Corps Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, who had made safe 64 bombs during five months in Afghanistan, died as he tried to defuse another.
The 30-year-old was a week away from seeing his family again when he was killed on Saturday in Helmand province.The 30-year-old was a week away from seeing his family again when he was killed on Saturday in Helmand province.
In an interview with Channel 4 News, he had said his work was "extremely intense".In an interview with Channel 4 News, he had said his work was "extremely intense".
He said: "That's the nature of the job. We're trained to an absolute high level.He said: "That's the nature of the job. We're trained to an absolute high level.
"And yes, it is vital and it is mentally, emotionally challenging. Physically as well, in terms of the kit we use.""And yes, it is vital and it is mentally, emotionally challenging. Physically as well, in terms of the kit we use."
Staff Sgt Schmid said that it was "obviously... a dangerous job" but that preparation was key to tackling explosive devices.Staff Sgt Schmid said that it was "obviously... a dangerous job" but that preparation was key to tackling explosive devices.
"We prepare ourselves in such a manner, that we can let go of that physical side and we can concentrate and focus a lot more on the job in hand at the target end.""We prepare ourselves in such a manner, that we can let go of that physical side and we can concentrate and focus a lot more on the job in hand at the target end."