Janus Global Operations in 2017 found and eliminated an average of 172 explosive remnants of war each day in multiple countries

LENOIR CITY, Tenn., March 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Janus Global Operations, an integrated stability operations company, found and cleared a daily average of 172 explosive remnants of war (ERW), unexploded ordnance (UXO), and other explosive devices throughout 2017.  Almost of all of these clearing operations took place in conflict or post-conflict sites, sometimes immediately after fighting in the area had concluded.  

In 2017, Janus Global cleared 258 million square meters (99.6 square miles) of land potentially contaminated by explosives in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Laos, and multiple other countries, to include on existing and former military ranges. Janus employees found and eliminated a total of 62,709 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), booby traps, landmines, bombs, and other ERW/UXO, allowing displaced families to return to their homes and businesses.

Janus Global is the world's largest demining company (in addition to its other stability operations services) and carries out humanitarian and commercial projects for governments and businesses. Janus' work eliminates ERW/UXO dangers for civilians; permits the re-establishment of public services, such as water and power; and clears the way for businesses, such as oil and gas companies, mining operations, and other commercial ventures to operate safely.

A major focus of Janus Global's work in 2017 was finding and removing explosive improvised devices weaponized by ISIS and emplaced in Iraqi cities. In 2016, ABC News spotlighted Janus Global for clearance efforts in Ramadi, Iraq; in 2017, PBS Newshour examined the company's work in Mosul, Iraq. ISIS heavily mined both cities with IEDs before being were driven out by U.S.-enabled Iraqi forces.

"Discovering and clearing 172 explosives per day meant 172 fewer threats of death and serious injury to military personnel, civilians, homes, schools, and other businesses and government facilities," said Rick Nohmer, Janus Global's chief operating officer. "That gives every Janus Global employee a sense of satisfaction and pride because it means children won't die or be injured and people who had been driven from their homes by ISIS can return and begin to rebuild their lives."

The dangers involved in finding and removing explosives are multiplied when they have been purposefully hidden or camouflaged, as ISIS often does, Nohmer added.

"Landmines in an open field and unexploded artillery shells or bombs are dangerous enough, but ISIS, in addition to its other horrors, conceals booby traps and IEDs in everyday items," said Jordan Wilhelm, Janus Global's director of operations. "As an example, we discovered an Iraqi family had returned to their home in which ISIS had planted explosives in a child's toy.  Another [was in] in a kitchen cabinet.  It's indiscriminate and deliberately targeting non-combatants, and this threat needs to be eliminated one explosive at a time."

Among Janus' 2017 projects:

• In Iraq, surveying and clearing explosive devices from the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center.
• Continuing projects in Ramadi, Mosul, and elsewhere in the Al Anbar and Nineveh regions.
• In Afghanistan, safely clearing the practice ranges used by former International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) personnel for hand-off to Operation Freedom's Sentinel forces.

Janus Global Operations is a worldwide company with thousands of employees serving customers with munitions response; demining; life support; intelligence support; logistics; communications; risk management and other services in some of the world's most austere and hostile environments. The company's website is www.janusgo.com.

SOURCE Janus Global Operations

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