Editing Bomb disposal (section)

===Northern Ireland===
[[File:Eod technician ireland.jpg|thumb|"The long walk":<ref>{{cite web |first=Renita |last=Foster |url=http://www.monmouth.army.mil/monmessg/newmonmsg/feb022007/m05bomb.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722182649/http://www.monmouth.army.mil/monmessg/newmonmsg/feb022007/m05bomb.htm |archive-date=2011-07-22 |title=Unit kept one step ahead of enemy |publisher=Monmouth.army.mil |access-date=2010-06-22 }}</ref> A [[British Army]] [[Ammunition Technical Officer|ATO]] approaches a suspect device in [[Northern Ireland]].]]

The [[Ammunition Technicians]] of the [[Royal Logistic Corps]] (RLC, formerly [[RAOC]]) became highly experienced in bomb disposal, after many years of dealing with bombs planted by the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] (PIRA) and other groups. The bombs employed by the PIRA ranged from simple pipe bombs to sophisticated victim-triggered devices and [[infrared]] switches. The roadside bomb was in use by PIRA from the early 1970s onwards, evolving over time with different types of explosives and triggers. Improvised mortars were also developed by the IRA, usually placed in static vehicles, with self-destruct mechanisms.<ref>Smith, Steve; ''3-2-1 Bomb Gone : Fighting Terrorist Bombers in Northern Ireland'', Sutton Publishing, 2006, pages 131–149, {{ISBN|0-7509-4205-3}}</ref> During the 38-year campaign in Northern Ireland, 23 British ATO bomb disposal specialists were killed in action.<ref>Rayment, Sean; ''Bomb Hunters: In Afghanistan with Britain's Elite Bomb Disposal Unit'', London HarperCollins, 2011, page 58, {{ISBN|9780007374786}}</ref> A specialist Army unit, [[321 EOD]] Unit (later 321 EOD Company, and now 321 EOD & Search Squadron RLC part of [[11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Regiment RLC]]), was deployed to tackle increased IRA violence and willingness to use bombs against both economic and military targets. The unit's radio call-sign was Felix. All units in Northern Ireland had a callsign to be used over the radios. 321 Company, a newly formed unit, didn't have such a callsign, so a young signaller was sent to the OC of 321 Coy. The OC, having lost two technicians that morning, decided on "[[Phoenix (mythology)|Phoenix]]". This was misheard as "Felix" by the signaller and was never changed. The other possible reason is that the callsign for RAOC was "Rickshaw"; however, the 321 EOD felt it needed its own callsign, hence the deliberate choice of "Felix the Cat with nine lives". 321 Coy RAOC (now 321 EOD & Search Sqn RLC) is the most decorated unit (in peacetime) in the British Army with over 200 gallantry awards, notably for acts of great bravery during [[Operation Banner]] (1969–2007) in Northern Ireland.<ref name="Fetch Felix">{{cite book |last=Patrick |first=Derrick |year=1981 |title=Fetch Felix: The Fight Against the Ulster Bombers, 1976–1977 |publisher=Hamish Hamilton |isbn=0-241-10371-1}}</ref>

British Ammunition Technicians of 11 EOD & Search Regiment RLC were requested by the US Forces commanders to operate in support of the US Marine Corps in clearing the Iraqi oilfields of booby traps and were among the first British service personnel sent into Iraq in 2003 prior to the actual ground invasion.