Photo By 2nd Lt. Gavin Rollins | Members of the St. Kitts and Nevis defense force police, fire services and coast guard...... read more read more
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ST. KITTS AND NEVIS — Everyone plugged their ears and waited anxiously as a loud boom shook the beach. The explosion launched a rusty medal drum into the air and when it landed, a sigh of relief came from the onlookers. They cheered with excitement as the wind blew away the black smoke.
“Wow, that little block of C4 makes a big explosion,” said Cpl. Crawford of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force.
The explosive scene on the beach was the culminating event of three days of training that took place on the little island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis. Participating in the explosive ordinance disposal class were 15 men and women of varying rank from the St. Kitts and Nevis Defense force, police, fire services and coast guard. Their instructors were two subject matter experts – 1st Sgt. Albert Wass de Czege and Sgt. Scott Davis from the Florida National Guard’s 221st Explosive Ordnance Detachment.
The class – part of the Florida National Guard’s State Partnership Program – was set up in two phases: the classroom instruction and the practical application which took place on the range. The classroom instruction laid the foundation and, on the range, theory and reality merged.
“It was exciting to see how the explosives really work.” said Abdias Samuel, a member of the fire department. “What we learned in class made a lot more sense after we got the hands on experience.”
The explosions came from C4 that was wired by several of the class participants.
“We took them through the process of putting a blasting cap in the C4 and wiring it with a fuse,” said Davis.
The participants then learned how to detonate the C4 using various methods including an electric charge sparked by a button and a time fuse. The barrel was added to demonstrate the powerful effects of the explosives and remind of the threat they can present if not properly handled.
The range came on the third day. The first two days of the course were spent on the base of the defense forces. The initial day was spent inspecting the storage facilities and taking an inventory.
“We first wanted to know what type of explosives they had on hand and how they were storing them,” said Wass de Czege.
The second day of instruction came from PowerPoint and teaching aids in preparation for the range. Cpl. Francis of the Defense Force said it was a very intense three days but she now has a much better understanding of EOD procedures.
“The course contributed to the overall readiness of St. Kitts and Nevis to deal with the potential of an incident with explosives,” said Maj. Kelly of the Defense Force.
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.15.2011 10:47 |
| Story ID: | 75372 |
| Location: | KN |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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