G4 AND THE UNITED STATES NAVY PARTNER FOR NEW GROUNDBREAKING DOCUMENTARY SERIES "BOMB PATROL: AFGHANISTAN" FOLLOWING AN ELITE SPECIAL OPERATION UNIT AS THEY PATROL WAR-TORN BATTLEGROUNDS TO DISARM DEADLY EXPLOSIVES
10-Episode Series From Big Fish Entertainment Premieres Tuesday, October 25 at 10PM ET/PT and Embeds Viewers Inside the U.S. Military for a First Person War Zone Account of the Most Dangerous Job in the World, in One of the Most Dangerous Places on Earth
Los Angeles, CA, September 27, 2011 - Since World War II, the United States Military has relied on the steady hands and steadier nerves of the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), the world's premier combat force for countering Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), and all other types of weaponry. This fall, G4 and the U.S. Navy will give viewers an extraordinary, never-before-seen look at an elite, eight man U.S. Navy EOD platoon as they seek out danger and put their lives on the line. The ground-breaking, 10-episode documentary series follows the EOD Unit as they patrol the war-torn battlegrounds of Afghanistan using state-of-the art robotics and technology to search for and disarm explosives. Produced by Big Fish Entertainment, "Bomb Patrol: Afghanistan" premieres Tuesday, October 25th at 10pm ET.
Over 15 cameras, including both helmet and body mounted, were utilized to capture the eight-man team's five-month tour. The series premiere begins as the platoon says farewell to their family and loved ones at Naval Air Station North Island, where G4 cameras were granted access. From there, the elite teams are stationed in Northern Afghanistan, and the EOD Unit patrols the battle zones dismantling explosives and responding to IED hunting and clearance requests. G4 and Big Fish Entertainment teamed up with three-time Oscar nominated documentary filmmaker, Vince DiPersio (Blues Highway, Death on the Job, Crack USA: Country Under Siege), to give the series an extraordinary, genuine look at the one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States military.
Viewers will be embedded with the troops witnessing every aspect of their deployment, from the life-or-death missions to the humorous, light-hearted moments shared between brothers-in-arms. In the premiere episode, eight men of Navy EOD Platoon 3-4-2 begin their deadly five-month mission in Afghanistan to find and destroy the top killer of American troops - IEDs. From there, the platoon splits into two teams, one being sent to the Faryab Province to assist the United States Army's 10th Mountain Division Field Artillery Group 36, the other being deployed to the Kunduz Province to assist the United States Army's Infantry 1-87 Unit. Only days after setting up their home away from home, one of the platoons answer a call from a farmer in a Taliban-controlled village who has a bomb planted 10 feet from his home. The team must find a way to secure the area, disengage the bomb and ensure the safety of the village. At the same time, the Kunduz-based team embarks on a mission to destroy a homemade bomb targeting an Afghan National Police (ANP) guard shack. After arriving at the scene, the Team Leader, Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician John Groat, gives his rookie, 22-year-old Explosive Ordnance Disposal 3rd Class Chase Holzhauer, a chance to put his training to use by driving the state-of-the-art EOD robots to find and render safe the bomb. After some friendly ribbing from Chief, Holzhauer first employs one robot only to have the bomb go off, obliterating the machine. Interference from the first downed robot forces Holzhauer to rely on the third and smaller robot controlled by an Xbox 360 Controller to search for additional bombs. If that robot is put out of commission, Chief Groat will have to go down range on foot to search for any hidden secondary IEDs, a last-resort scenario that is extremely dangerous.
In future episodes, one team is tasked with clearing "Route X," the most heavily mined road in Northern Afghanistan. This mile-long stretch of hard-packed soil leads to the Taliban stronghold of Gortepa. It's a painstakingly slow process punctuated with moments of terror as a Taliban triggerman remotely detonates bombs on the road from a nearby village. It's a high stakes game of cat-and-mouse which comes to a head when the team finds themselves parked on top of one of triggerman's deadly IEDs. During the team's mission on Route X, their counterparts on the other team continue to help the Afghan National Police (ANP) detonate or render safe bombs near ANP bases and checkpoints. No mission is straight forward when working in this unforgiving trade. Along with diffusing bombs, the platoon will engage in lethal firefights with Taliban and gather evidence to track and defeat bomb makers throughout the region.
With continuous filming conducted throughout the deployment, viewers will get to know each member of the EOD Unit. Personnel featured on "Bomb Patrol Afghanistan" are extremely skilled technicians, the very best-of-the-best with over 70 years of combined U.S. Navy service. The unit is composed of the following Sailors:
· John Groat (44 years old): Chief Petty Officer, Platoon Leader from Silverdale, Washington. Joined EOD in 1998 with 24 years of service and five prior deployments.
· Ricky Thibeault (35 years old): Petty Officer 1st Class, Lead Petty Officer, Team Leader from Lafayette, Louisiana. Joined EOD in 2004 with 15 years of service and three prior deployments.
· Brad Penley (26 years old): Lieutenant Junior Grade, Platoon Leader from Hickory, North Carolina. Joined EOD in 2007 with eight years of service and one prior deployment.
· Jeremy Stein (27 years old): Petty Officer 1st Class, Team Leader from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania. One prior deployment and seven years of service.
· Brendan Schmutte (30 years old): Petty Officer 2nd Class, Team Member, Robot Driver, EOD Tools Specialist, Communication Equipment Manager from Cincinnati, Ohio. Joined EOD in 2008 with six years of service.
· Matt Rayl (34 years old): Petty Officer 3rd Class, Team Member, Robot Driver, EOD Tools Specialist, Intelligence Manager from Annandale, New Jersey. Joined EOD in 2009 with five years of service.
· Sam Durham (29 years old): Petty Officer 3rd Class, Team Member, Robot Driver, EOD Tools Specialist, Supply Manager, Hazardous Material Manager from Georgia. Joined EOD in 2009 with five years of service.
· Chase Holzhauser (23 years old): Petty Officer 3rd Class, Robot Driver, EOD Tools Specialist, Diving Manager, Vehicle Manager. Joined EOD in 2009 with three years of service.
Only one percent of the United States Navy has gone through the advanced training necessary to proudly wear the EOD badge. The extensive preparation and intense education process has readied this unit to search for and disarm explosives, protect the lives of civilians and military personnel and do whatever it takes to get home safe. Watch the pressure they face and split-second decision making they must undertake beginning October 25th at 10PM ET/PT on G4.
"Bomb Patrol: Afghanistan" is produced by Big Fish Entertainment with Doug DePriest and Dan Cesareo serving as executive producers. Laura Civiello and Tim Rummel are the series' network executives for G4.
For additional info and exclusive video content please go to: http://www.g4tv.com/bombpatrol
About G4
G4 offers the last word on gaming, technology, animation, interactivity and "geek culture" for the male 18-34 demo. The network, which is available in 59 million cable and satellite homes nationwide, has given young guys of today's digital generation a television home. G4tv.com is a top web destination for video game news and information. The network's popular original programming includes "Attack of the Show!," "X-Play," "American Ninja Warrior" and "Campus PD." G4 also continues to expand its live event coverage at CES, Comic-Con, E3, Tokyo Game Show and more. G4's Multiplex features content on all possible digital platforms, including G4tv.com, G4 Mobile, G4 Podcasts, G4 on Demand, G4 Video Player, G4 Wii Portal and G4 PS3 Portal. G4 is a network of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.
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