Here comes the boom, explosive ordnance disposal exercise gives 380th Air Expeditionary Wing personnel a closer look

Photo By Master Sgt. Charles Larkin Sr | The 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, detonates a controlled explosive device Aug. 21. The four personnel were prepositioned with a protective blanket that blocked the blast wave and debris.  

08.25.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Stephen Linch 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

Four explosive ordnance disposal technicians honed their skills during an exercise as more than 20 members of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing received a closer look at what EOD technicians do.

EOD technicians perform explosive disposal operations such as identifying, disarming, neutralizing and recovering or disposing of hazardous explosives in a wide range of locations.

"It is always good to bring people from around the base, and let them see what we do," said Tech. Sgt. Gregory Locke, 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, non-commissioned officer in charge of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Logistics.

Once everyone arrived at the range and had received a safety briefing, EOD detonated a controlled explosive device with four personnel prepositioned behind a protective blanket that blocked the blast wave and debris. Then they allowed members of the 380th AEW to set off multiple explosive devices before firing a .50 caliber rifle at a target approximately 125 yards down the range.

"I got to fire a bomb off today," said Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Martz, 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. "It is awesome to see and experience something that they do every day."

• Date Taken: 08.25.2009
• Date Posted: 08.25.2009 00:11
• Story ID: 37900