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Buffalo Roams Military Supply Routes

Photo By Sgt. Matthew Clifton | The retractable arm on the Buffalo armored personnel carrier, is used to interrogate...... read more read more

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.07.2005

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub

Pfc. Matthew Clifton
MNC-I Public Affairs Office
September 2, 2005

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -- Most combat units in Iraq know all to well the threat posed by improvised explosive devices and take direct measures to avoid contact with such deadly adversaries, but with the help of the Buffalo, one platoon is actively engaging the IED threat.

"The Buffalo is a South African armored personnel carrier designed with anti-land mind capabilities," said 2nd Lt. Brian James Duncan, platoon leader, 2nd Platoon, Company C, 612th Engineer Battalion, Ohio Army National Guard. "In South Africa they have huge problems with land mines on dirt roads."

The Buffalos are designed for navigation on rough or "difficult to negotiate" terrain and are very similar to Bradley fighting vehicles with the exception of a few components and abilities. Since the Buffalo is designed for land mines it is also useful for IEDs, Duncan said.

One of the most significant features on the Buffalo is a retractable steel arm used for moving obstructions from roads.

"We put a large retractable arm on the Buffalo that is used to interrogate and identify possible IEDs," Duncan said. "This is not a capability we have had before, so we use that piece of equipment to our full advantage."

The arm is a similar to that of a bulldozer's; a little smaller, but just as durable. The end of the arm is double-sided. One side has a forked tool which is used to move objects from the road, and the other has a single spike used to poke and prod suspicious looking items, Duncan said.

IEDs can be disguised as normal looking garbage on the street or street side. A tire, cardboard box or burlap sack are all things that could be possible IEDs. After those items have been inspected by the Buffalo and presumed "clear," the Buffalo's arm will move them to the side of the road or position them in such a way that other patrols can see they pose no threat, Duncan said.

"If there is no threat, we clear the object and drive on," said Duncan. "But, if we can confirm the presence of an IED, we call explosive ordnance disposal. They come and eliminate the threat."

The Buffalo's arm is maneuvered by a remote control located inside the body of the vehicle.

"The controls are designed to be easily operated," said Spc. Kenneth Edmonson, radio operator, 2nd Plt. "After working with the controls for just a few minutes, I easily got the hang of it."

"The Buffalo's arm has a 16-foot reach, which contributes to a lowered risk of damage in the event of an IED detonating," Duncan said. "Everything about the Buffalo is designed to protect against explosions."

The body of the Buffalo has a distinct V-shape which allows for a minimal risk of damage if an IED should go off. The body sits high off of the ground, also providing significant protection.

"Thanks to the design of the hull along with the armored capabilities of the Buffalo, all insurgent attempts to damage this vehicle have been unsuccessful," Duncan continued.

"The Buffalo is a vital asset to our mission because of all the IEDs we have encountered." Duncan said. "Even though we have casualties that result from small arms fire, the majority of injuries and even deaths come from IEDs."

IEDs can be used against any unit in the field, even the ones who are equipped to search out and identify them, Duncan added.

"We have had about six IEDs go off on us, and two or three of them even were as close as three feet away from the Buffalo," Duncan said. "Thanks to the design and abilities of the Buffalo's armor, there were no casualties and the only damage done was a busted tire."

If those Soldiers had been in any other vehicle they could have possibly been killed, Duncan continued.

"If we didn't have the Buffalo or that type of armored equipment we wouldn't find as many IEDs, and a lot of the stuff we move off of the road, in turn is not mistaken by other units as IEDs," Duncan explained.

It's also important to minimize the amount of times EOD has to respond to false positives. There are only so many EOD Soldiers available, and if they have to respond to 30 calls a day and only six of them are actual IEDs, a lot of time is wasted, Duncan said.

"We have the ability to confirm what is and is not an IED," Duncan continued. "Therefore we can make sure EOD is in the right place at the right time."

There are quite a few "Iron Claw" units in Baghdad, who search the major and secondary military supply routes with their own Buffalos.

"Could you still find the IEDs without the Buffalo? Yes," Duncan said. "But these vehicles keep Soldiers out of harm's way and most importantly the Buffalo keeps Soldiers from getting killed."

"We have never had a Soldier killed or wounded inside a Buffalo," Duncan continued. "The biggest problem we have ever had is replacing a tire, and that's a lot easier that replacing a Soldier."