CAMP MIKE SPANN, Afghanistan – Afghan culture is based primarily on trust. To build an effective partnership with the people in Afghanistan is to earn their trust. The same can be said about working with explosives, as the team relies on an enormous amount of trust.
In a successful operation by members of the Afghan National Army and members of the International Security Assistance Force troops to safely dispose of unexploded ordnance was conducted near here March 15, many levels of trust were shared between the two groups.
The 18 mortar shells were located by the ANA Route Clearance Company in an undisclosed area. As they were able to be moved from the location, the unexploded ordnance still posed a possible hazard. They decided to contact the ANA explosive ordnance disposal unit to make certain the threat would be eliminated.
As part of an ongoing relationship between the ANA 209th Corps and ISAF, training is provided on many levels to prepare ANA soldiers in the proper identification, diffusion and disposal of the dangerous munitions which are found in Afghanistan.
Unexploded ordnance can be handled in a number of ways, depending on many factors. Some are extremely volatile and moving them would cause serious safety issues, so they are generally blown in place. Others can be safely handled and removed, but still require disposal which need a controlled detonation.
Through the cooperation between the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 and the ANA’s 209th Corps, a controlled detonation was set up to perform a check on training and the safe disposal of the mortar shells.
“The benefit to this event is that the ANA guys have different levels of knowledge of EOD,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Helmer of the Mobile Unit 3. “This is a perfect opportunity to see the skill level of all of them and to see how well they are retaining what they have been taught.”
Both teams convoyed to the safe remote area used for controlled detonation and worked together to properly handle and set the demolitions. At the site, the mixed groups separated into three different teams to demonstrate the different basic techniques to safely dispose of ordnance.
Helmer's team utilized a mainline – branch line, a way to clear explosives from a narrow pathway. Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Tsui organized what is called a ring – mainline, which is used to clear large areas and Lt. Romesh Haytasingh, the EOD Mobile Unit 3 commander, conducted the organized demolition, used to control the blast to inhibit unnecessary damage to the immediate area.
While giving the hands-on education to the ANA through the use of translators, they realized the essential knowledge was present in each of the groups, as the ANA counterparts took charge in the instruction.
“We got to a point, where we could stop talking and just act as observers,” said Tsui. “They knew the basics and we had the opportunity to blend in and perform the safety checks for the work they were doing.”
After the teams complete the set up of the detonations, the demolition leader, Petty Officer 2nd Class Ben Johnson carefully inspects the blast area for any safety hazards and to make certain the group’s efforts have been properly performed. Upon his approval, he orders the blast lines to be connected and to be extended to the designated safe area. The safe area will protect the team from possible stray blast fragments and allows a distant inspection of the detonations.
Johnson performs a final check and prepares the team for detonations by making certain all present are wearing the proper protection. Then he orders the selected members to ignite the blast.
“Fire in the hole, fire in the hole, fire in the hole,” is announced loudly to prepare everyone for the blasts by the individual who will send the charge to the explosives. Each blast is an audible and visual acknowledgment of a successful detonation. After all of the blasts, Johnson walks to each location to verify the completion of the event. When he returns, everyone gathers a follow up assessment of the activity.
Upon completion, the teams convoy back to their respective bases and perform the follow-on briefings for assessment from all participants. During the post blast brief, Lt. Haytasingh shares his evaluation of the event.
“The most successful part of the day was having one of the ANA guys step up and take over the training,” Haytasingh said. “It shows these guys are taking the training and applying it. They are also teaching it to their counterparts.”
In a country which has seen conflict for nearly 30 years, the landscape is littered with remnants of planted explosive devices and unexploded ordnances. The tasks of handling these explosives are usually the responsibility of highly-trained explosive ordnance disposal technicians. At the remote location of Camp Shaheen, adjacent to Camp Mike Spann, the members of the ANA are trained in explosive ordnance disposal fundamentals, and are taking the lead in the safe disposal of ordnance.
| Date Taken: | 03.15.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2012 00:38 |
| Story ID: | 85471 |
| Location: | CAMP MIKE SPANN, AF |
| Web Views: | 259 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Explosive ordnance disposal exercise displays transition progress, by PO1 Christophe Laurent, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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