Last year, the Academy Award-winning film “The Hurt Locker” introduced audiences around the globe to the high-pressure world of the brave men and women who diffuse and dismantle explosives in some of the most high-pressure terrorist hotbeds. However, when it comes to this specialized and incredibly dangerous military job, make believe is nothing compared to the real thing. Now for the first time, G4 will take viewers to Afghanistan with real members of the United States Navy who have trained extensively to face the specialized challenges that come with this high-risk military position and are honored to wear the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) badge. This is action, suspense and drama unlike anything captured on film before and failure is never an option. Produced by Big Fish Entertainment, under a special agreement with the United States Navy, “Bomb Patrol: Afghanistan” is slated to premiere spring 2011.
“There is simply no way to comprehend the incredible amount of pressure and split-second decision making these individuals must undertake in the worst possible physical conditions without riding along with them as our cameras will do,” said Neal Tiles, President, G4. “This is a rare opportunity to showcase the work of the courageous men and women on the front lines, and share with our viewers all the real-life drama, teamwork, danger and triumph that goes along with this specialized job. G4 viewers will see these real-life heroes putting their lives on the line as they go through what, for them, is just another day at the office.”
Viewers will get to know the members of the EOD team as individuals, both on their home turf in the U.S., and throughout deployment in Afghanistan. Following a series of no-holds-barred training sessions where EOD techs train in desert training facilities rigged for worst-case scenarios, the unit will board transport flights overseas and be stationed in Afghanistan for several months in some of the world’s most unforgiving terrain and weather conditions.
Once on the ground, camera crews will be fully embedded in the operations of the featured EOD Mobile Unit Platoon, providing G4 viewers an insider’s look at this world that has never been seen before. While one day’s patrol could result in the successful disarmament of a 50-pound roadside bomb via remote-controlled robot, another could put an EOD tech wearing a 70-pound protective bomb suit in direct contact with a potentially deadly IED. From counter IED operations to underwater explosives, Navy EOD is trained to render safe whatever ordnance they encounter: on land, in the air and in the ocean.
“Bomb Patrol: Afghanistan” is produced by Big Fish Entertainment, with Doug DePriest and Dan Cesareo serving as executive producers. Laura Civiello and Tim Rummel will serve as the series’ network executives for G4.
