This reminds me of air assault operations in the Army. Ground the vehicle, gun, tank, etc., using a hook wired to a stake in the ground The stake, an aluminum tent stake, was often driven no more than a few inches into the dry dirt, thin 22 AWG or so commo wire was your lead, and a wood mop handle with a piece of metal on the end completed the grounding tool. Nothing bonded, unless duct taping bare wire to a corroded or painted surface counts as a bond...
The amount of static electricity generated by a helicopter is amazing. It's a miracle we all weren't killed, especially with fueled vehicles full of ammo involved too.
I saw more than one ground rod man get launched with a big flash on pick up or drop off. You could barely see anything in the swirling prop washed dust as the helicopter lowered the 8-ton cannon or 5-ton truck full of powder, primers, and shells. Then there would be illumination and you'd look to find the ground stick, see if it was still in one piece, see where the man landed, and try again.
I must have more lives than a cat. Knowing the Army, they probably still do it this way. I don't think they get many EE grads or licenced Electricians in the combat arms...
Matt
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In generating plants, pumping facilities, substations and on transmission lines, enormous voltages and available fault currents can be present at the wrong time and the wrong place with tragic consequences.