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EOD ensures stockpiled munitions go out with a bang

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Craig Seals
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  What do you think happens to all the unserviceable munitions, weapons caches, unexploded ordnance, mortars, mines and other items that Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) acquires? They blow it up. 

In order to do that, EOD must take everything they've stockpiled to a safe location for the detonation. Here in Afghanistan, that requires the help of Security Forces.
"We rely heavily on security forces to provide the necessary protection anytime we travel to and from the detonation ranges," said Tech. Sgt. William Baird, 755th Expeditionary Explosive Ordnance Disposal team lead. 

EOD coordinates with Security Forces on a time and place for the controlled detonation and this interagency coordination is vital to the success of the mission. It's understood while going out to the range, Security Forces is in control of the convoy and the EOD Airmen in the Joint EOD Rapid Response Vehicle (JERRV) respond to their actions and commands. 

"The JERRV is an EOD platform that provides us the ability to carry the necessary equipment, maximum armor and greatest survivability in the field," Sergeant Baird said. 

Once on site and off road, the JERRV with an EOD driver takes the lead. As soon as the JERRV stops, the HUMVEES arch out into 360 degree security and Security Forces Airmen take their positions to allow EOD personnel to do their job. Communication between the EOD team is critical. 

Each person has a task: unloading the weapons from the trailer, talking to the demolition experts to find out where they will run the detonation cord, laying out the C-4 explosives safely, all while they are working with the security element to ensure there is no threat of attack.
 
"C-4 is insensitive without the detonation cord, blast caps and radio-controlled signal required to detonate. It's the safest and most effective explosive we have," said Staff Sgt. Rick Palmar, 755th EOD assistant team lead. 

After they give the all clear, all vehicles remove themselves to a safe distance while maintaining their security around the lead vehicles. A detonation warning is sent to the base to ensure everyone on Bagram Airfield knows to expect the blast. 

"We radio in to airfield management 30 minutes out in order to give them time to clear the airfield of any in-flight aircraft," said Sergeant Baird. "Then we give them another call 15 minutes out to let them know we are still good to go. Once a window for detonation has been assigned, we have five minutes to complete the detonation." 

Once the detonation keys are fired, the sky is lit up with explosives and the day's hard work results in multiple explosions that are seen at a safe distance by everyone who made it possible. 

"These detonations are just a small part of what we do. We do a lot of stuff people don't see," said Sergeant Palmar. "We travel around and collect munitions that have been found or turned in; we check out suspected improvised explosive devices and conduct post-blast investigations. These weekly detonations are just a small part of the big picture."