July 28, 2022
PSAB the birthplace of innovation in the AOR
Back in 1985 during an operation at Spangdahlem Air Force Base called Salty Demo, a UXO removal method called a “chain drag” was created. The basic concept is stakes are driven into the ground off the runway then a chain is hooked to the winch line of a Humvee or armored vehicle and wrapped around the stakes so that when the winch line is recalled, or the vehicle moves, the chain sweeps the UXOs off the airfield as the chain goes taut.
It’s a tried and true method, but it’s dependent on the availability of an armored vehicle to protect the EOD team, a commodity not always available in the temporary austere mission locations EOD specialists are sometimes deployed to with great airpower but limited mission support equipment.
To augment the oversight, Miller developed and blueprinted a custom timer winch, stake and chain set. In theory, it’ll be the “chain drag” method and a new “hook and line” method Miller developed packed into one or two pelican cases for easy movement.