Fighter Sweep showed you a picture earlier today that indeed Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians (EOD) do in fact jump out of helicopters and airplanes. Why you may ask? Well, they are an integral part of many special forces operations and join in with SEAL teams, Army Special Forces and Marine Expeditionary Units on missions around the world.

To prove the point it says this right on the official Navy job description for an EOD Tech!

• Perform parachute or helicopter insertion operations

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technicians are trained to disarm improvised explosive devices. Neutralize chemical threats. Even render safe nuclear weapons. Navy Explosive Ordnance (EOD) Technicians perform some of the most harrowing, dangerous work in order to keep others from harm’s way, and they do so in every environment. They’re so much more than the world’s ultimate bomb squad.

EOD Technicians are on call to respond to any type of ordnance, and they receive specialized training on how to handle chemical, biological and even nuclear weapons. They investigate and demolish natural and man-made underwater obstructions. Prepare coastal regions for amphibious landings. Warn about potential threats – both in the United States and abroad. With expertise in the most conventional and unconventional explosives, they ensure the secure disposal of explosive weaponry. – US Navy

Watch: Navy EOD Technicians Jumping Out of a Perfectly Good C-130

Featured image By U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Marjorie McNamee. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons