177th EOD Blows It Up

Photo By Andrew Moseley | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Javan Haley, center, heavy equipment operator with the 177th Fighter Wing Civil Engineering Squadron, prepares to remotely detonate C-4 explosives attached to previously dropped BDU-50 500 lb. concrete-filled practice bombs to render them safe for recycling at Warren Grove Range (WGR) in Ocean County, N.J. on April 29, 2016. Haley, along with Explosive Ordnance Disposal techs, civil engineers and range crew from the New Jersey Air National Guard and the 87th Civil Engineering Squadron at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst worked together during the annual "EOD Week At The Range" to perform range clean-up and target painting, as well as target set-up in WGR's simulated village. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Andrew J. Moseley/Released)  

NJ, UNITED STATES

04.29.2016

Story by Master Sgt. Andrew Moseley  

177th Fighter Wing - NJ Air National Guard

The 177th Fighter Wing EOD Techs were joined for the week by civil engineers from the unit and EOD Techs from the 87th Civil Engineering Squadron, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., and performed range clean-up and target painting, as well as target set-up in the simulated village.

C-4 explosives are attached to BDU-50s, 500 lb. concrete-filled practice bombs, connected by detonation cord and exploded, creating a rectangular shaped indentation, visually exposing the concrete filler inside.

“We have contactors that come in, take away the bombs and recycle them,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Coates, 177th EOD Tech. “They want to be able to look at a bomb and be absolutely sure there are no explosives in it.”

EOD week at the range is an annual event which requires a good deal of planning including financing, lodging, special transportation requirements and notification of the event to the public in the surrounding area.

“I’d say that this week is probably my favorite time at work because it’s great to get out here and clean everything up and these range guys appreciate it,” said Wayne. “It’s always a good experience. Warren Grove crew is really cool, too… probably the best bunch of guys I’ve worked with on a range. The weather wasn’t great this year but we had a real good, safe time. That’s always nice, too.”

• Date Taken: 04.29.2016
• Date Posted: 05.19.2016 10:29
• Story ID: 198536
• Location: NJ, US