FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky – U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Soldiers field tested the Next Generation Advanced Bomb Suit on Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Army EOD Soldiers from the 184th Ordnance Battalion (EOD) put the new bomb suits through a series of tests at ranges on Fort Campbell over the last two weeks.
The 184th EOD Battalion is part of the 52nd EOD Group and 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command.
From 19 bases in 16 states, Soldiers and civilians from the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland-headquartered 20th CBRNE Command take on the world’s most dangerous threats and hazards in support of military operations and civil authorities.
The deployable command is home to 75 percent of the active U.S. Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear specialists, as well as the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity, five Weapons of Mass Destruction Teams and three Nuclear Disablement Teams.
Staff Sgt. Gregory D. Meckel, one of the participants in the testing from the 49th EOD Company, said the Next Generation Advanced Bomb Suit has a number of advantages.
“These include improved range of motion, weight reduction and better center of gravity due to the Modular Scalable Vest, increased capabilities in a number of areas, improved helmet comfort and stability, better air flow and built in lighting capabilities,” said Meckel.
Bomb suits are designed to protect EOD technicians as they accomplish their high stakes mission in support of combat operations around the world and explosive mitigation missions at home.
A New Braunfels, Texas, native who has deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, Meckel said the new suit is an improvement over the previous suit.
“The NGABS provides greater comfort and mobility for EOD personnel when mitigating explosive threats,” said Meckel.
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