An improvised explosive device (IED), also known as a roadside bomb due to contemporary use, is a homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. IEDs have been used extensively against coalition forces and by the end of 2007 they had become responsible for approximately 40% of coalition deaths in Iraq, according to Wikipedia. They are also the weapon of choice for insurgent groups in the 2001-present Afghanistan War. It has been reported that IEDs are the number one cause of death among NATO troops in Afghanistan. The U.S. has the most training in discovering and disarming these explosives.
Getty Images photographer Justin Sullivan recently spent time with U.S. Army soldiers with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne near Khakriz, Afghanistan. The U.S. Army route clearance unit uses specialized equipment to seek out IED on roads throughout Afghanistan to prevent military patrols and civilians from being hit by the homemade roadside bombs.
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Getty Images photographer Justin Sullivan recently spent time with U.S. Army soldiers with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne near Khakriz, Afghanistan. The U.S. Army route clearance unit uses specialized equipment to seek out IED on roads throughout Afghanistan to prevent military patrols and civilians from being hit by the homemade roadside bombs.
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U.S. Army soldiers with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne detonate an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that they discovered during a day-long route clearance mission July 7, 2010 near Khakriz, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army soldiers with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne listen in on a briefing before a day-long route clearance mission July 7, 2010 in Jeluwar, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army soldiers with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol, 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne inspect pieces of an Improvised Explosive Device that they discovered the day before July 8, 2010 in Khakrez, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army PFC Miguel Urbina with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne listens in on a briefing before a day-long route clearance misison July 6, 2010 in Jeluwar, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army First Lieutenant Tom Keenan from Brasher Falls, New York with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol, 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne smokes a cigar before departing on a route clearance misison July 8, 2010 in Khakrez, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army soldiers with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne say a prayer before a day-long route clearance mission July 6, 2010 in Jeluwar, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
A U.S. Army soldier with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne shows his tattoo of the word "loyalty" on his arm during a prayer before a day-long route clearance mission July 6, 2010 in Jeluwar, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army Private First Class Moises Montanez from Liberty, Texas with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol, 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne sings a song with his fellow soldiers before departing on a route clearance mission July 8, 2010 in Khakrez, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Raleigh Rucker (R) from Baltimore, Maryland and Corporal Kyle Kothsten from Seattle, Washington (L) with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol, 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne wrestle before departing on a route clearance mission July 8, 2010 in Khakrez, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army Specialist Nathaniel Anselmo from Churchtown, Pa. with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol, 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne makes repairs to a remote contolled robot called "Talon" before departing on a route clearance mission July 8, 2010 in Khakrez, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army Specialist Craig Cox from Ogden, Utah (R) hands rounds of .50 caliber ammunition to U.S. Army Corporal Zachary Taylor with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne as they prepare for a day-long route clearance mission July 7, 2010 in Jeluwar, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
A U.S. Army soldier with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol, 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne checks his gun before departing on a route clearance misison July 8, 2010 in Khakrez, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
A U.S. Army convoy with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne moves through a valley during a day-long route clearance mission July 7, 2010 near Khakriz, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
A U.S. Army convoy with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol, 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne passes a car as they move through a valley during a route clearance misison July 8, 2010 near Khakrez, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
A U.S. Army convoy with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne moves through a valley during a day-long route clearance mission July 6, 2010 near Delevarkha Halacheb, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
A U.S. Army MRAP with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne pushes rollers through sand during a day-long route clearance mission July 6, 2010 in Jeluwar, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army PFC William Molina with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne takes a break in the back of an MRAP during a day-long mission July 6, 2010 near Delavarkha Halacheb, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
A U.S. Army soldier with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne videotapes a screen showing the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that was discovered during a day-long route clearance mission July 7, 2010 near Jeluwar, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
A remote control robot with U.S. Army soldiers Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne moves a pressure plate taken from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that they discovered during a day-long route clearance mission July 7, 2010 near Khakriz, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
A remote control robot with U.S. Army soldiers Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne moves a pressure plate taken from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that they discovered during a day-long route clearance mission July 7, 2010 near Khakriz, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army soldiers with Task Force Thor Route Clearance Patrol from 23rd Engineering Company, Airborne stop a convoy after they discovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) during a day-long route clearance mission July 7, 2010 near Khakriz, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
U.S. Army soldiers with a route clearance unit from 3rd Platoon, 123rd Engineer Company, 105th Engineer Battalion take a gun down from the top of an MRAP vehicle after driving from Kandahar Airfield July 5, 2010 in Jeluwar, Afghanistan. Getty Images / Justin Sullivan
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