Photo By Sgt. Nikki M. Herman | Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jesse McGinnis, the officer in charge of the Station Explosive...... read more read more
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By Cpl. Christopher Zahn
The Jet Stream Staff
BEAUFORT, S.C. - More than 30 police officers from the Port Royal Police Department and the Beaufort City Police Department gathered at the explosive ordnance disposal range at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort on Sept. 23 and Sept. 25, 2008, to train with the Air Station's explosive ordnance disposal team.
The training was designed for the police officers to gain knowledge of the capabilities and procedures that EOD follows when they are called to the scene. The Station's EOD team is the primary response unit for Port Royal and Beaufort police in a potential bomb situation.
"The purpose of this training is to familiarize some of the local law enforcement agencies that we support with our capabilities and to enhance the spirit of interoperability between them and the Air Station EOD technicians," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jesse McGinnis, the officer in charge of the Station's EOD Team.
The Air Station's EOD Team was formed in 1976, and, since then, there has been an understanding that they will support local law enforcement with handling any unexploded ordnance or improvised explosive devices.
"The Port Royal Police Department and the Beaufort City Police Department do not have their own EOD teams," McGinnis said. "We are the primary force that they call."
The need for cooperation now between the two units is something that was highlighted by McGinnis.
"When you support someone, when they need you is not the time to figure out what capabilities you bring to the table," McGinnis explained. "We're going to showcase our capabilities so they know what to expect."
His sentiment was echoed by Capt. Michael Lee, a police officer with the Beaufort City Police Department.
"We want to have an understanding of what these guys' capabilities are when we call them out," Lee said. "It's also for us to develop a healthy respect for some of the explosives available to people nowadays."
The team demonstrated different explosive effects, such as a "Hollywood" made of detonating cord and gasoline added to enhance the fireball and a standard shot of plastic explosive. The demonstration was designed to show the officers what a real explosion looked like compared to one typically used for entertainment.
"Once you go through the experience and the actual feel of (the explosives) it's a different scenario," Lee said. "You can do the classroom portion all day, but, once you view the actual explosions, it gives you a better understanding and respect for the stuff."
They also demonstrated the different tools and techniques that they have at their disposal to remotely investigate suspect items.
"I think it's awesome," Lee said. "It gives us an opportunity to touch base with the people that are coming out to our sights when we call them. It fosters a good sense of cooperation."
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2008 15:49 |
| Story ID: | 24154 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 322 |
| Downloads: | 225 |
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