Bomb Squad
Fashion follows trends. Those trends can be anything from colors, styles, materials and more. One aspect fashion also participates in is functionality. In this one-on-one interactive interview, I’ll introduce you to possibly the most functional suit made today. Bomb resistant suits have been around since World War II and have made durable advances since the late 1980’s. Today’s bomb suits, however, are highly advanced in functionality. With the use of ceramic plates and Kevlar amour they provide mobility and protection.
Colton Casteele is a Technical Sergeant in the United States Air Force, stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, attached to the 48th Civil Engineer Squadron, Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) flight. He is frequently called to action all over the world. He’s been stationed at RAF Lakenheath for over a year but has spent less than one month at home on station. The rest of the time he’s been deployed or TDY (work trips lasting anywhere from a few days to a few months), “This career field has sent me to every continent except Antarctica” Casteele says. Training as a member of the “bomb squad” is also one of the most demanding in all of the military, “I had to complete an intense two-year technical training program before I could be approved for operational activity” he says. And performing as some of the fittest members of the military is a daily requirement for him and others in his flight, with new EOD fitness testing tailored specifically for their grueling line of work.
Colton demonstrated what it’s like working out while wearing the bomb suit, which consists of more than 45 kilograms of high-tech explosive resistant material. Although the Technical Sergeant is extremely fit, the rigorous nature of the workout left him out of breath. He also displayed explosive ordinance they use for training and a technique used to disarm common improvised explosive devices (IED’s) regularly found in warzones.
Push-ups in bomb suit, Image Credit: Jason Treffry Dumb bell press in bomb suit, Image Credit: Jason Treffry Disarming explosive ordinance, Image Credit: Jason Treffry View from inside bomb helmet, Image Credit: Jason Treffry
As Colton has progressed through the ranks, his duties have evolved from a reactive state to a defensive status. During his first ten years of service he and his bomb suit were called to action after an IED was discovered. Now, he’s in charge of training younger Airmen while home on station at RAF Lakenheath as well as training allied-nation service members while abroad. When he gets called up for TDY’s he inspects cars, hotel rooms, restaurants, any and everywhere that could be used to contain an IED intended to harm an American service member, politician or VIP guest.
I’ve had the pleasure of calling Colton a friend for 15 years. We met in 2005 in our hometown of Puyallup, Washington in high school band class. Life lead him to join the Air Force in 2010 and I in 2011. I honorably separated five years later to pursue a bachelor’s degree then moved to France upon graduation to begin a master’s program. He continues to climb through the ranks and is halfway through qualifying for military retirement. Once again, we find ourselves living near each other, this time on the other side of the world.
Colton posing without gear, Image Credit: Jason Treffry
Colton spends many months away from home, sleeping in tents and living in sometimes unsanitary and dangerous conditions. He does this, so he can save targeted personnel as well as nearby children and families who might be unsuspecting casualties if a bomb goes off. He serves in a very selfless and sacrificial career field. If you appreciate your nation’s armed forces, whether they wear a suit of armor or a suit and tie, don’t forget to thank a service member the next time you meet one.
