386th EOD keeps Marauders safe, unexploded ordnance at bay

Published April 21, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- There are many objects buried under the sand in the desert. All it takes is a couple of really big sandstorms to bring whatever is buried to the surface. Soldiers deployed here alongside the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing discovered this when they spotted an unexploded ordnance here April 15.

U.S. Army Soldiers working on a remote part of base were conducting routine operations when the group spied the UXO. They immediately took all the steps to describe the object and cordon off the area for the explosive ordnance team.

"The Soldiers in the area did a fantastic job of identifying and cordoning off the area," said Staff Sgt. Michael Spradley, an explosive ordnance disposal technician with 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. "They did everything you are supposed to do, from not getting too close, giving a good description of the ordnance, marking the area and setting up the cordon."

The 386th EOD team was called in to respond to the situation. Sergeant Spradley and Staff Sgt. Kimberly Pate, another EOD technician with the 386th ECES, responded.

"We arrived on scene and assessed the situation," said Sergeant Spradley. "The in-depth description given to us by the Soldiers who found it led us to believe we were dealing with a possible rocket propelled grenade."

Once on scene the EOD technicians had to make the decision to move the UXO or not and what type of disposal method should be used.

"After assessing, we decided to move the UXO and dispose of it through a controlled detonation," said Sergeant Spradley, the Evansville, Ind., native.

Less than two hours later the entire situation was resolved with safe disposal of the UXO.

"This incident went smoothly because the Soldiers who found the UXO did everything correctly," said Sergeant Spradley. "The description in this incident was spot on. The guys who found it took the right steps, the right notes, the right cordons, everything exactly by the book."

Sergeant Pate, deployed to the 386th from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., reminds Marauders that if they come upon a UXO here, to follow the 4-Rs (recognize, record, retreat and report) located in the Airman's Manual. Those steps are put in place for the member's safety.

"If you come upon a UXO, get a good look at it," said Sergeant Pate, a Burns, Ore., native. "Describe it as best as you can. Even if you don't have your Airman's Manual with you, try to give a good description. There is a big difference between a 500-pound bomb and a hand grenade."

Sergeant Spradley added that once you have your description, write it down and back away to a safe distance. Don't, however, transmit handheld radios within 25 feet or vehicle radios within 100 feet of the device.

"Also, don't touch it and don't get any closer than you already are once you identify it as being a potential hazard," said Sergeant Spradley.

The incident was concluded in a safe manner because everyone involved did exactly what they were supposed to do.

"This is what we are trained for," said Sergeant Spradley. "Our primary concern is the protection of personnel and property. Today, this was resolved the way we would like all of these types of incidents resolved: safely and without damage, injury, or loss of life."