Photo By Sgt. Laura Bonano | Army Spc. Elizabeth Sims, with the 789th Ordnance Company, prepares materials for an...... read more read more
Subscribe
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan — The 789th Ordnance Company out of Fort Benning, Ga., conducted a class on improvised explosive devices and gave a demonstration of the damages caused by roadside bombs Jan. 29.
Army 1st Lt. Matthew B. Wharton, of the 789th EOD gave a block of instruction to soldiers from the 811th Ordnance Company, the 594th Transportation Company and the 375th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
Team members from the 466D EOD Flight also helped set up the demonstration of the controlled detonation range outside of Camp Leatherneck.
Wharton educated the soldiers on specific markings usually associated with the placement of IEDs. Rocks are often placed in a pattern to warn local Afghan civilians where bombs are placed, said Wharton.
The units attending the class would possibly encounter IEDs during their deployments, said Wharton.
“Improvised explosive devices are the number one killer of troops in Afghanistan,” said Wharton. He said he wanted the soldiers to see the signs and effects of IEDs firsthand so they know what to look out for.
“I also train people why not to mess with it,” said Wharton. He said the soldiers should recognize the signs and contact EOD to take care of the threat, instead of investigating it on their own.
Army Sgt. 1st Class J. Wilson, from the 789th EOD was present for the demonstration. He said because he has worked with EOD for over fifteen years. It was important for him to pass on what he knows.
“It’s the best job in the Army,” said Wilson.
Wharton said this class was the first of its kind he had given. He said he looks forward to giving another class and demonstration for as long as unit leaders feel their troops will benefit from them. Another class is scheduled for February.
| Date Taken: | 01.29.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.10.2012 04:50 |
| Story ID: | 83654 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 446 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, EOD holds class for soldiers to experience effects of IEDs, by SGT Laura Bonano, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
