It does not work. It does not work, and you are putting the lives of Iraqis at risk, by depending on this idiotic device! There, I got that out, and can try to laugh a little about this. It’s not entirely funny, because the Iraqis have the Green Zone to protect. And judging by all the massive bombings of late, commonsense should dictate.
On another level, if they are able to convince the people that it works, then so be it. But that will only work so long, until the booger eaters figure out that it doesn’t work. Which they have already, and have taken advantage of this. Hence the reason for this article. If you are an Iraqi, and reading this, get the word out that this device does not work and demand that your government use technology that actually works. Or hey, embrace the bomb sniffing dog, and get over your disgust of the animal. What is more important, the lives of your people, or your ego? –Matt
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Iraq Swears by Bomb Detector U.S. Sees as Useless
Johan Spanner for The New York Times
A device used by Iraqi forces to detect bombs and other weapons at checkpoints has been called useless by the American military.
By ROD NORDLAND
Published: November 3, 2009
BAGHDAD — Despite major bombings that have rattled the nation, and fears of rising violence as American troops withdraw, Iraq’s security forces have been relying on a device to detect bombs and weapons that the United States military and technical experts say is useless.
Johan Spanner for The New York Times
The sensor device, known as the ADE 651, from $16,500 to $60,000 each. Iraq has bought more than 1,500 of the devices.
The small hand-held wand, with a telescopic antenna on a swivel, is being used at hundreds of checkpoints in Iraq. But the device works “on the same principle as a Ouija board” — the power of suggestion — said a retired United States Air Force officer, Lt. Col. Hal Bidlack, who described the wand as nothing more than an explosives divining rod.
Still, the Iraqi government has purchased more than 1,500 of the devices, known as the ADE 651, at costs from $16,500 to $60,000 each. Nearly every police checkpoint, and many Iraqi military checkpoints, have one of the devices, which are now normally used in place of physical inspections of vehicles.