From Sand to Mortars: Frank Casser Trains Tunisia’s Military on Ground Penetrating Radar
From January 27 to 29, 2025, OKM expert Frank Casser traveled to Tunisia to assist the Tunisian military in the use of the OKM Gepard GPR 3D, a ground penetrating radar. The device had been provided by OKM Emirates in Sharjah to the Tunisian EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team, which specializes in clearing minefields and removing explosive devices to ensure safety in conflict zones. This mission would be an opportunity to demonstrate how GPR technology can help detect subsurface anomalies.
From Classroom to Field: Frank Casser’s Practical GPR Training with Tunisia’s Military
Frank arrived late in the evening, having flown from Frankfurt with a short stop in Paris, and made his way to the northeastern part of Tunisia for the training. The next morning he met with the group of about 22 soldiers, all highly skilled engineers and specialists. After the necessary formalities, Frank began the training in a classroom setting, introducing the soldiers to the basics of the OKM Gepard GPR 3D. Using a whiteboard connected to a computer, Frank demonstrated the Visualizer 3D Studio software's features and key techniques, explaining how to detect and evaluate anomalies such as pipes and drainage systems.
After the theory session, the group moved outside for a hands-on demonstration. Frank led the team in scanning for typical underground structures and other anomalies. When they reached a training field, Frank demonstrated how to detect larger objects such as tunnels and determine their approximate depth. Although the field looked like any other, with metal debris and overgrowth, Frank successfully identified the signature of an underground tunnel. As part of his typical training regimen, Frank first performed the scan alone, then paired up with one of the participants and had them perform the scan while he closely observed. Finally, he allowed the soldiers to perform the scan on their own, ensuring that they gained hands-on experience and confidence in using the equipment independently.
The group was highly engaged and collaborative, actively sharing their insights, which made the session educational for everyone involved, including myself.
The training continued with a lunch break, where Frank was honored to be invited by the base commander to dine at the Officers Club. After lunch, the team moved to another building under construction to demonstrate how the Gepard works through different substrates. The group scanned multiple layers of flooring, but could only detect anomalies through one layer at a time. Despite this limitation, they were able to successfully identify irregularities beneath the floor, highlighting the importance of understanding depth limitations when working in complex environments.
Field Test: GPR Detects Mortars and Tank Mines
The next stop was a training area where Frank's skills were put to the test. The soldiers had buried inert mortars in a variety of soil types, including high iron sand and gravel. In the sand field, Frank quickly located two anomalies. He then had the GPR operators perform the scans to achieve the same results. The first anomaly, about 45 cm (1.5 ft) deep, turned out to be a mortar, and the second, a burlap sack filled with rocks simulating a "tank mine," was found at 25 cm (0.8 ft). In the gravel field, Frank found another mortar at 30 cm (1 ft). These results demonstrated the effectiveness of the OKM Gepard GPR 3D in detecting subsurface anomalies, although Frank reminded the group that practice and experience are key to mastering the tool. The hands-on experience made the soldiers more confident in their ability to use the Gepard in real-world situations.
The day was both educational and exciting, as Frank was able to share his extensive knowledge and help the team improve their skills. The experience further highlighted the usefulness of the OKM Gepard GPR 3D in detecting subsurface anomalies, proving how important this tool is to teams such as EOD. Frank left Tunisia with a greater understanding of the challenges facing the military and a deep sense of satisfaction in helping them improve their operational capabilities.
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