Photo By Lance Cpl. David Hersey | An XR-150 X-ray source shows an image of a key component inside of the warhead of an...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - During the morning of May 22, 2015, Marines gathered around a large table in a blast-proof, explosive ordnance disposal inerting building aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. As a team, they placed an M255A1 Flechette rocket centered across from a small, black XR-150 X-ray source, preparing to take a deeper look inside the internal set-up of a potentially hazardous weapon.
“One of the aspects of explosive ordnance disposal in the Marine Corps is inerting,” said Master Sgt. Brian Diaz, a Readiness Evaluation and Doctrine (RED Cell) Chief with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion. “Our job today is to remove all of the energetic material out of the explosive or hazardous ordnance.”
The function of inerting is to provide some type of intelligence, Diaz said. Once the rocket is cleaned out, it’ll be sent to another unit for training, so that Marines can perform reconnaissance on it and develop their own procedures, should they encounter this item in the future.
During their training, the Marines performed as teams of two in a step-by-step process.
“The first thing we did was X-ray the rocket to ensure that it was not in a hazardous position,” said Staff Sgt. Adam Clements, an EOD technician with the unit. “Then, we separated the rocket motor and the warhead and removed the fuse. Once we’ve removed the expelling charge from the warhead, we move onto the rocket motor and disassemble it, so that all of the hazardous material is no longer inside.”
Diaz expressed his confidence in the Marines’ mission in regards to readiness in a combat environment.
“Training with these inerted items will give the Marines [better knowledge and experience],” Diaz said. “They’ll be able to identify the item and take the same precautions as if they were deployed in a combat environment, as well as operate on it as live explosive ordnance without the danger of being hurt or killed.”
8th ESB’s mission is to provide general engineering support to II Marine Expeditionary Force through the employment of standard bridging, survivability and explosive ordnance disposal. The unit also provides the provision of tactical utilities support, production and storage of bulk water, and general supply support incident to the handling, storage and distribution of bulk fuel.
EOD Company supports that mission in its ability to provide units with the opportunity to become familiar with ordnance items and IEDs.
“We exist in the Marine Corps to protect our forces, whether it’s from an ordnance item or an improvised explosive device,” Clements said. “What we do allows military service members to complete their job safely.”
Once the Marines have gone through the step-by-step processes of inerting ordnance items and IEDs, they are more prepared for mission accomplishment while in a forward environment. They are currently supporting the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response in Spain.
| Date Taken: | 05.22.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2015 15:53 |
| Story ID: | 164832 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 228 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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