IT is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world and has already claimed the lives of four Oxfordshire soldiers.

But for Sgt Gareth Reid nothing beats the physical and mental challenge of defusing improvised explosive devices (IED) in war-torn Afghanistan.

Sgt Reid and his colleague Staff Sgt Gareth Wood are among the brave few who stride alone towards concealed bombs left by insurgents. More than 150 British troops have been killed by IEDs or landmines since the invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001.

The pair, of Didcot-based 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment (11 EOD), have described how they feel as they make “the long walk” – the lone journey bomb experts take as they approach a device.

Their exploits are similar to those depicted in the Oscar-winning film The Hurt Locker.

Sgt Reid said: “I love the physical and mental challenge. I like assisting the guys on the ground as much as we can.

“The lows come with losing friends, having to investigate scenes where soldiers have been killed or injured, some of whom we have known.

“You feel impotent. You ask: ‘If I had been there, I could have found that device and made it safe’.”

The 37-year-old has saved countless lives by making safe hidden bombs.

His first challenge in Afghanistan came when he defused a 5kg buried device in an alleyway 100 metres from a patrol base.

He said: “The day before, we got the news that a colleague had been killed – but I just thought about my training. It kicks in naturally.

“I don’t think about it much. All that is going through my head is the task itself.

“Once you start the approach, all other thoughts drift away. It concentrates the mind.”

About 80 per cent of devices planted by insurgents are made safe by bomb experts, according to the Ministry of Defence.

However, four members of 11 EOD – Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid, Captain Daniel Read, Warrant Officer Gary O’Donnell and Captain Dan Shepherd – have been killed in explosions.

Staff Sgt Wood, 28, has defused ammonium nitrate and aluminium bombs of up to 20kg.

He said: “It is all about keeping your cool. You cannot rush, no matter what the threat.

“We are probably the most highly trained IED operators in the world.”

Describing the Taliban’s tactics, SSgt Wood continued: “It’s cowardly. It’s very indiscriminate – the amount of casualties caused to Afghan children.”

Staff Sgt Wood and Sgt Reid, are both coming to the end of their six-month tour of duties on the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force.

Next month, the pair will be on parade in Didcot at an official homecoming.

lsloan@oxfordmail.co.uk