‘IED Whisperer’ Handles Deadly Job

Staff Sgt. Kelly Rogne (front in Hal Bernton courtesy photo) walked down a dusty village road, rhythmically swinging a metal detector that resembled an oversized hockey stick. He led a column of more than 20 soldiers past deep-green fields of marijuana that surround this village in Panjwai district, traditional homeland of the Taliban. To defend this turf, Taliban fighters have seeded Babinek and other areas with dense concentrations of bombs, creating one of the most perilous patrol grounds U.S. soldiers have encountered during more than 11 years of war in Afghanistan. Rogne, 36, from Colville, has displayed an uncanny ability to find these improvised explosive devices (IEDs). He uses technology, tracking skills and intuition honed by careful study of past bomb placements. Some call Rogne the “IED Whisperer”/ Hal Bernton , Seattle Times. More here.

Question: I’ve known of 2 individuals involved in IED detection and demolition. Both saw friends injured or killed in their line of their dangerous, dangerous work. Do you know someone involved in this type of work?