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By Amanda Tucker
3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Service members on base must stay vigilant for unexploded ordnance, which are not always found at the time they are thrown, dropped or launched onto the base, said Tech Sgt. Josh Gidcumb, a native of Salem, Ore., and an explosive ordnance disposal team leader for the 52nd EOD Flight, from Spangdahlem, Germany.
According to Gidcumb, a UXO is simply a munition that didn't function because something went wrong with the internal fusing components.
"Sometimes, some fuses [are] very sensitive and all it does is take a little nudge with your foot [to set it off]," Gidcumb said.
Recently, a UXO was found in the burn pit. Another was found while base contractors were tearing down and replacing some barriers at an entry control point here. These are two of many cases proving that UXOs are a reality here and on other camps; and must be dealt with appropriately.
Everyone should also be aware that under General Order number 1B, "possessing, touching, or using without legal authority any unexploded ordnance of any kind" is prohibited. Under the same article, "ordnance is defined as any destructive or explosive material, including, but not limited to, bombs, rockets, missiles, grenades, mines, booby traps, flares, and ammunition of any caliber."
When the "incoming" alarm is sounded, the first reaction a Soldier takes is to seek cover or assume a prone protection position. Once the "all-clear" is sounded, service members are allowed to carry on with their daily schedule, but the all-clear, does not mean there is no unexploded ordnance in the area.
"Most people can ... identify a UXO but ... there is sometimes some confusion on what to do next," said Airman 1st Class Jacob John, a native of Baton Rouge, La., and the emergency manager for the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron.
This is the purpose for many service members on base, being properly trained on post attack reconnaissance and to be carried out immediately after an attack.
PAR is a term used by the Air Force to describe the process for searching UXOs while the Army uses the term UXO sweeps. The two services are working together on base, unifying procedures to make effective and efficient searches for UXOs.
"I think it helped a lot," said Sgt. 1st Class Charles Hibbs, the senior paralegal for the 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). "We operate in a joint environment. Its good to know we both use the same terms and we both trained together."
Part of the training includes learning how to properly use PAR kits which helps identify, mark and cordon off UXOs. These kits consist of flashlights, chemical light sticks, surveyors tape, a radio, a map or diagram of PAR routes and responsibility areas.
A chart is used to determine how far a perimeter should be set based on the size of the depression the UXO makes on impact.
In case a UXO is found, don't touch the UXO. Evacuate, guard and cordon the area, and call EOD.
| Date Taken: | 01.28.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2009 02:55 |
| Story ID: | 29355 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 529 |
| Downloads: | 498 |
This work, Joint Base Balad force protection training and policies save lives, by SSG Amanda Tucker, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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