An explosive career with the RAF

5131 Squadron recruit on a bomb disposal exercise

"Most people assume that bomb disposal is the Army's job, and don't even realise that the RAF has its own specialists" says 5131 Boss, Squadron Leader Mick Haygarth.

Seven recruits from the RAF's 5131 (Bomb Disposal) Squadron, have passed full training in disposal of bombs.

For a rare few individuals with steady hands and even steadier nerves, bomb disposal is their chosen career.

They support our forces overseas and work with civil authorities in the UK.

If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster! 5131 (Bomb Disposal) Squadron

5131 (Bomb Disposal) Squadron recently completed work in Iraq and are now working up towards deployment in Afghanistan in early 2010. They also work in the UK dealing with improvised explosive devices, unexploded wartime bombs and making safe old bombing ranges.

So what makes someone want to get too close for comfort to something that could go 'bang'?

The challenge

"I wanted to do bomb disposal even before I joined the RAF," says 23 year old Senior Aircraftman Rachael Armstrong, who's at the beginning of her bomb disposal career. "Even as a child, I wanted to do a job where it made a difference - not a desk job where no one really cared whether I turned up or not."

Senior Aircraftman Rachael Armstrong

At the other end of the experience scale is 37 year old Sergeant David 'Doc' Savage, who has two tours in Iraq and two in the former Yugoslavia to his credit: "The challenge is both physical and mental, and with scenarios like trip wires and booby traps, it's a bit like a chess game to get inside your opponent's head and work out the right moves to defeat their ingenuity."

Taking the risk

But what of the very considerable risk? Every member of 5131 (BD) Squadron knows that while they do everything they can to minimise the risks to themselves and those around them, there are no guarantees.

In fact there is a saying on the squadron that pretty much sums up the job and why they love it: "If you want a guarantee, buy a toaster!"