First Class Ian Gregory, for Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobil Unit

The Newsletter of the National EOD Association
RSP
JUNE 2015 VOL 15-2
First Class Ian Gregory, for Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobil
Unit 11, places dog tags of Explosive Ordnance Disposal First
Class Joseph McSween on the EODMU-11 Memorial during a
remembrance ceremony held at Naval Outlying Landing Field
Imperial Beach.
Volume 15/2 June 2015
National Officers
Charles G. Cobbs – Commander
Robert J. Bureker – Vice Commander
Frank A. Martinez – Adjutant
James H. Paget – Treasurer
David S. Tipton– Chaplain, Adjutant
VNEODV
Richard C. Steen –Past Commander
Marvin G. Rumbaugh – Director
William D. Ramsey – Director
Douglass F. Rhodes – Director
Richard W. Cross – Sgt. at Arms
Robert E. Leiendecker – Historian
Stuart A. Steinberg –
Veterans Benefits Advisor
Bob Bureker – Webmaster
Contributing Editors –Mike Vining
Lewis F. Weinberg – CDR, Director VN
Michael R. Nichols – RSP Publisher
The National EOD Association, Inc. is a tax-exempt
fraternal and professional association of active duty and
former U.S. Military EOD personnel.
Regular
membership is contingent on having attended a
recognized EOD school or having served in an EOD
Military Occupational Specialty of the armed forces of
the United States of America. Associate and Corporate
memberships are available to persons and organizations
interested in military public safety, or environmental
EOD. All members receive the quarterly newsletter
“RSP.” The Regular and Associate memberships are
$15.00 for one year, or $40.00 for three years. For
active duty EOD personnel in pay grades E5 and below,
the membership fee is $10.00 for one year, or $25.00
for three years. The Corporate membership fee is
$150.00 per year, and includes 3 memberships and 2
free advertisements per year in the “RSP” newsletter.
Article submissions should be sent to: MIKE NICHOLS,
1104 Idlewood Avenue , Azle, TX 76020. Source material
cited herein is for non-profit research and education in
accordance with Title 17, USC 107. Articles are subject
to editing. The editors assume no responsibility for the
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The opinions contained in such materials are not
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nateoda.com
The VA in Boston has
a research program
called Tracts where
they have gathered
together hundreds of
veterans of Iraq and
Afghanistan to
research on the
effects of things such
as post-traumatic
stress disorder and
traumatic brain injury.
(USA NEWS, USA
TODAY).
U.S. Marine Sgt.
Anthony Zabala of 1st
Combat Engineering
Battalion of 2nd
Marine Expeditionary
Brigade runs to safety
as an IED explodes in
Helmand province on
July 13, 2009.(Photo: Manpreet Romana, AFP/Getty Images)
VA scientists have
discovered signs of
early aging in the
brains of Iraq and
Afghanistan war
veterans caught near
roadside bomb
explosions, even
among those who felt
nothing from the
blast.
Years after coming
home from war,
veterans are showing
progressive damage
to the brain's wiring,
according to a study
published online
Monday in Brain, A
Journal of Neurology.
Image showing areas of damaged wiring in the brain for troops exposed to a blast. (Photo:
VA)
"Generally as we age, the connections (in the brain) deteriorate. But with those people with
blast exposure it appears as though it's happening faster," said Benjamin Trotter, a biomedical engineer with the Department of Veterans Affairs and lead author of the study.
Regina McGlinchey, a Harvard Medical School professor of psychology, VA scientist and
study co-author, said the concern is that "what we generally see in older people in terms of
declines in executive function, memory and planning would be happening at an earlier age."
Equally troubling is the lack of awareness of a blast injury. Many veterans studied said they
never felt concussion-like symptoms such as dizziness, headaches or loss of consciousness.
Others complained of those symptoms, but eventually saw them go away and military
doctors concluded they had fully recovered.
Yet in both cases, brain scans years later showed signs of degeneration and early aging.
If symptoms of Alzheimer's disease or other dementia-like illnesses appear five or 10 years
earlier in a large group of people, "this would have tremendous consequences for society,"
said William Milberg, a Harvard Medical School professor of psychology, VA scientists and
study co-author. "We would have to figure out on a much larger scale ways of taking care of
people."
The results expand on VA research published in November that reported a lack of
communication between areas of the brain according to scans taken of troops who had been
within 30 feet of an explosion.
"The most important
message of these
two studies is that
they show for the
first time in a large
cohort of (Iraq and
Afghanistan)
veterans that
exposure to
explosions in combat
affects the brain
whether or not the
soldier showed
symptoms of a
concussion at the
time of the
explosion," Milberg
said.
Dust kicks off the
ground during an
operation by U.S. Army soldiers attached to the 2nd platoon, C-Coy. 1-23 Infantry base in
Afghanistan in 2012. (Photo: Tony Karumba, AFP/Getty Images)
An estimated 2.7 million Americans served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 1.9 million are
now veterans, about 60% of whom have or are receiving VA treatment, according to the
agency.
An undetermined number of Americans were exposed to up to 47,000 IED bomb attacks in
Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the U.S. military's Joint Improvised Explosive Device
Defeat Organization.
More than 3,000 troops were killed
by IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan and
10 times that number required
medical treatment.
Many troops wearing body armor
and traveling in armored vehicles
reported getting "blown up," or
surviving bomb blasts that occurred
close by. Many veterans say that
over the course of several
deployments the number of
explosions they survived rose into
double digits.
Staff Sgt. John. R. Cove, II, of Leicester, Mass, talks with physicians Regina McGlinchey and
William Milberg outside the VA hospital in Boston. (Photo: Mary Schwalm, for USA TODAY)
John Cove, 41 — an Army reservist from Leicester, Mass., who served a year in Iraq —
suffered a concussion during a 2008 training exercise in the U.S. when a simulated bomb
exploded just a few feet from him. "You could say I was dazed and confused, walking around
kind of blurry-eyed," Cove said.
He is among 450 veterans and service members in the New England area who agreed to
participate in the VA's study on traumatic brain injury and stress disorders, from which data
were collected for the study released Monday.
Cove said the results of the study are sobering for soldiers like him who have been impacted
by a blast.
"I kind of figured eventually I'd get to the point where I'm not going to remember much, cause
I'm already starting to have memory loss," Cove said. "I get angry. I get frustrated. I have
outbursts. I'm on medication to help me with my moods."
The VA
Is Killing
American
Veterans and
NO OneADVISOR.
Seems to Care
Stuart
A. Steinberg
–VETERANS
BENEFITS
When we were all blown away by the magnitude of the problems at the Phoenix VA Medical Center, I,
somehow, missed a similar, and equally deadly, situation occurring at the Dorn VA Medical Center in
Columbia, South Carolina. In fact, the Dorn debacle occurred more than a year prior to the Phoenix
situation becoming publicly known.
In short, veterans died because of the gross negligence and cover-up perpetrated by VA officials about the
gastroenterology clinic at Dorn over their backlog on requests for appointments—some 3,800—at least 700
of which were for “critical” situations. Even though Congress appropriated emergency funds--$1,029,700—
to alleviate this problem, particularly for known cases of potentially terminal illnesses, no effort was made
to address the problems that resulted in at least six, possibly more than 20, deaths of veterans who were
either misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed soon enough. In fact, CNN discovered that of the more than $1
million in emergency funds to deal with this problem, only a third of these funds were used to pay for care
for veterans on the waiting list. No one, least of all the VA, has explained where the rest of this money was
spent. And, oh yeah, apparently only CNN ever saw fit to publish stories about the Dorn situation.
Let’s be clear—between Dorn and Phoenix, as many as 60 veterans died while waiting for care. The
investigators of the Dorn situation found that of 280 GI cancer cases they looked at, at least 52 were
“associated with a delay in diagnosis and treatment.” Even though Dorn knew as early as May 2011 about
the problems of delays in diagnosis and treatment in the GI clinic, absolutely nothing was done to cure
these problems until a VA internal investigation and a VA IG investigation, both occurring in 2013. That’s
right—it took two years before any sort of investigation was done and, to this day, it appears that nothing
has changed.
There were two investigations of this despicable, criminal situation at Dorn. The first, published on March
25, 2013, was by an Administrative Investigation Board, made up of five VA medical people from five
different healthcare systems. The second investigation was done by the VA’s Office of Inspector General,
and was published on September 6, 2013. I have read both of these reports over and over and have come
to the conclusion that they are both completely full of crap and never actually addressed the issue of VA
employees’ actions that resulted in the deaths of veterans.
In the report by the Administrative Investigation Board, they specifically asked this question: “Did any
actions or inactions in connection with the management of the GI clinic contribute to adverse patient care
outcomes?” In the conclusions to this section of the report, that question is never answered, or even
addressed. This purported investigation—which never investigated the causes of the deaths of veterans—
is a deliberate, fallacious action that deserves nothing short of complete contempt. In the so-called “Facts”
segment of this question, there are nine “facts” stated. That’s right, there were only nine facts needed to
address a situation leading to the deaths of American veterans. In fact—no pun intended—“facts” 3 and 9
are the same and made by the same person. What the hell? Did no one read this pile of garbage before they
published it? In the 30 pages comprising both reports—that’s right, 30 pages in what should have been a
death investigation—no actual findings were ever made about who and what caused the deaths of,
possibly, more than 20 veterans.
In July 2011, a hospital physician sent a warning to hospital administrators that the backlog for GI
appointments had reached 2,500, and patients were waiting eight months—until February 2012—for
appointments. By December 2011, documents recovered by CNN show that the backlog at the GI clinic at
Dorn had grown to 3,800 patients and this was noted in another warning email from a VA physician. In the
September 2013 IG report, the IG affirmed the details of the delays at Dorn in stark language, stating that
at least 700 of the delays for appointments or care were “critical.”
The VA Is Killing American Veterans and NO One Seems to Care
Dorn and Phoenix are not the only VA medical facilities where the gross negligence of this warped system
has caused the deaths of American veterans. Shortly before the November 20, 2013, CNN story about Dorn,
the VA acknowledged that there have been concerns about the delay of care at other VA facilities. At the
Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, at least three veterans died as a result of delayed
care. Internal documents that CNN reviewed show that Norwood had a waiting list of 4,500 patients.
Investigations into lengthy delays in care were also conducted at Atlanta, North Texas and Jackson,
Mississippi, medical centers.
It also turns out that although Dorn and Phoenix brought these disgusting problems to the forefront in 2013
and 2014, this problem is not new and both the VA and Congress have known about these issues for years
and done absolutely nothing to change them. A December 14, 2014, Healthcare Inspection at Dorn showed
that only two of the 12 problems that were identified as being responsible for the delays had been
addressed. This follow-up report of the problems at Dorn was, apparently, asked for by both the Senate and
House Veterans Affairs Committees and yet, almost six months later, the other ten recommendations remain
unresolved. No one has been fired, and no one has been charged with crimes related to the deaths of
dozens of veterans. Worse, even when they (VA) do take small steps to fix problems, the VA typically just
ignores Congress, and Congress never does anything to punish them or even to hold them accountable.
According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), “Long wait times and scheduling policy and
process have been persistent problems for the VA, and both the GAO and the VA IG have been reporting on
these issues for more than a decade.” More than a decade—and nothing meaningful has been done to
resolve (SHOW RESPONSIBILITY OR ACCOUNTABILITY even to CONGRESS LET ALONE THE PEOPLE AND
VETERANS) these problems. Worse, the VA investigations keep claiming that the delays and subsequent
cover-ups are caused, not by gross negligence, but are simply the result of a lack of staffing—not enough
nurses, not enough doctors. (YET THE PATIENT RATIOS AT VA FACILITIES ARE THE SAME AS NON VA).
GAO has been reporting to Congress about the delays for years and they have told Congress over and over
that GAO staff have found evidence that VA hospitals have tried to cover up wait times, fudge numbers and
backdate delayed appointments in an effort to make things appear better than they are. Can there be any
question that, but for whistle-blowers at Phoenix and Dorn, we might still not know about these problems?
Although I expect that these problems of DVA malfeasance will continue until Congress forces the issue, I
also don’t believe that will ever happen. Congress loves to run its mouth when praising veterans and our
fighting men and women, yet, in the end, that’s all it does—runs its mouth.
Stu Steinberg-Veterans Benefits Advisor
EDITORIAL: I intend to send a copy of this to my local news stations investigative reporters and elected
officials in my area. Maybe to the administrators of the medical and nursing schools. Who are the fall guys
for the administrator demanding bonuses, “It’s all those other people”?
MIKE NICHOLS
Auction item EOD
WINE.
Auction item 8ft x 10ft
crocheted afghan,
100,000 stitches, 300
hours.
David Tipton
-Adjutant, VNEODVet Chapter
It is time for members to start making their reservation for the next NATEODA convention.
This year we plan to meet in Las Vegas, Nevada from Sept 2 thru 5 Sept 2015 at the Tuscany
Suites Hotel and Casino. The hotel is located at 255 East Flamingo just a few blocks from the
famed Las Vegas Strip. You may make your reservations by contacting the website
www.tuscanlv.com or direct phone number 702-893-8933 or toll free 1-877-TUSCAN1.
Use promo code NATEODA OR 13N9QM for special rates.
There are many RV parks nearby and there is even room to park in the hotel parking lot
without any hookups. The Circus Circus KOA is one the best in the Las Vegas area.
Near the hotel is a new Las Vegas attraction known as “The Linq” where there are many clubs,
restaurants and of course America's largest observation wheel known as the HIGH ROLLER.
Visit www.caesars.linq.com for more information.
If you have not visited Las Vegas in a few years or more you will be amazed by the growth
and new attractions. It would be wise to spend a few extra days before or after the convention.
You may contact the hotel concierge to book outings of adventure on your own.
Early arrivals on the first of September and be greeted in the lobby by convention
staff to receive your convention package and ID Badge. On the morning of the second of
September we will begin the convention promptly at 10:00am. The commander's reception
will be 5:30 pm that night. Other convention agenda will be decided later and placed in
the convention package.
EOD Vietnam Vets will have their meeting Friday morning with a small silent auction.
The Gala will be Friday evening with photographs beginning at 5:00 pm and dinner and
auction to follow. Our Keynote speaker will be Air Force retired Col. Denny Weddle.
On behalf of Commander Glenn Cobbs and the convention staff we hope to see all of
you this September in Las Vegas.
Convention Host
Dave Tipton
dctipton@cox.net
702-283-9131
2015 NATEODA Convention Schedule
Hosted by Dave Tipton and Dick Takahashi
Held at the Tuscany Suites and Casino
255 E. Flamingo Road Las Vegas, Nevada 89169
TELEPHONE 702-893-8933 FAX 702-947-5994
WEBSITE www.tuscanylv.com/
Promo Code: NATEODA
Room Rates: $69/T-TH $109/F
Convention Schedule
September 1, 2015 (Tuesday). Early arrival, sign in and meet and greet others attendees.
September 2, 2015 (Wednesday). Meeting begins at 10:00 am. Coffee, tea and water, and light
pastries, will be available.
10:00AM: Ladies will board a bus for a shopping tour and lunch. Additional cost to be determined.
3:00PM. Board meeting.
5:30 PM. The traditional Commander’s reception, with cash bar and hot snacks.
September 3, 2015 (Thursday).
Board Meeting continues and or others at 10:00AM.
Thursday evening: A City Lights Tour is planned with Vegas Vance Tours LLC. Cost is $30.00 per
person. Dinner this evening is on your own.
3:00PM. Board meeting.
September 4, 2015 (Friday). Morning meetings continue, including EOD Vietnam Vets, and during
the afternoon, if necessary.
Nellis AFB EOD will demonstrate their response vehicle and robot.
3:00PM. Board meeting, if necessary. After the structured meetings, the hospitality suite will be
available to all.
Friday evening will be the traditional gala, filled with food, fun, awards and auction.
Guest speaker will be Denny Weddle, Air Force pilot in Vietnam with the “River Rats”. He will talk
about life after the military and being a successful professional.
There will be a traditional change-of-command ceremony.
September 5, 2015 (Saturday). Morning departure for home.
After the structured meetings, the hospitality suite will be available to all.
if you haven't been to Las Vegas before you could extend the experience by coming in early or
staying late for a day or two to see some extra sites. Our hotel has a concierge that can help you
with any tour contact at www.tuscanylv.com/. Within walking distance from our hotel there are
too many restaurants to mention. Website for Grand Canyon tours is
www.maverickhelicopter.com/ or you can visit www.vegas.com/ and for the Beer Garden around
the corner from the convention
www.hofbrauhaus.lasvegas.com/ .
2015 NATEODA CONVENTION
Tuscany Suites and Casino, 255 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, Nevada 89169.1‐702‐893‐8933,
www.tuscanylv.com , use Promo Code 13N9QM
Name of Member: ________________________________ Number in my party: ______
Street Address: _____________________________________________________________
Municipality: _______________________ State: ________ ZIP Code:________________
Phone Number: _________________________________ FAX:____________________________
E‐Mail Address:_____________________________________________________
Name (or nickname) FOR badge: _____________________________________________
Names of others in party: __________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
The convention hotel will be reserving _________ room(s) for my party.
If you require an RV site, please check the suggestions below:
1. Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort, 3‐5 mi from hotel. Tele: 702‐260—2000.
2. Circus Circus RV Park, 1 mi from Hotel. Tele: 1‐800‐634‐3450.
3. RV pull‐through area w/no hookups or electrical connections at Tuscany
Hotel.________________
Registration Fee: $150.00 times the number _____ in my party = ________
Available Tours: If you are planning on going on tour, include number and fee with registration.
___ City Lights Bus Tour: 6:30 – 9:00 pm with Guide $30.00 per person, with a stop for
photographs _____.
___ Ladies Shopping Tour: at Factory Outlet 9:45 am – 2:00 pm with lunch $36.00 per person
Grand Total Submitted ________.
Shuttle
bus service is available from Airport to Las Vegas Strip for $19.00 & will stop at hotel for drop
offs.
Make sure
registration form with check or money order (Pay Pal) also available reaches Adjutant no later
than 1 Aug 2015. Frank A. Martinez, 19124 46th Ave W. Lynnwood, WA 98036‐4640.
REMEMER Make Your Reservations with the Hotel Soon!
www.tuscanylv.com, use Promo Code 13N9QM
2015 NATEODA AUCTION DONATION FORM
At this year's NATEODA Convention, we will have a live auction and raffle at the Friday
banquet. We are asking for donations of items with a value of at least $25.00 for this
auction. Proceeds generated by these activities will be used to assist funding of next
year’s convention. This enables us to subsidize some of the cost and hold down expenses
to attendees. Your support as usual is very much appreciated.
If you are interested in donating for our live auction, please fill out the form below and mail
it to David Tipton. If you are planning to attend the convention in Las Vegas, NV, please
bring the item or items to be donated with you and turn them in when you register. If you
are not attending, or do not wish to carry the item with you, please mail the item and this
form to:
David Tipton
2988 Via Della Amore
Henderson, NV 89052
Item(s) to be donated: ______________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Quantity: __________________ Estimated Value: ___________________
Brief Description of Item(s): ___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
(If your item is handmade, of historic nature, or of special significance, please let us
know.)
Please don’t delay. Send in the form so it will arrive no later than August 18,
2015.
Mail items for auction to:
Dave Tipton
2988 Via Della Amore
Henderson, Nevada 89052.
SOME OF THE SHOWS DURING THE CONVENTION
September 2015
Olivia Newton-John 9/1 - 9/12
Air Supply 9/4 - 9/6
Celine Dion 9/2 - 9/12
Ron White 9/5 - 9/6
Russell Peters 9/6
TERRY FADER
September 1 Tuesday ,7:30PM
September 2 Wednesday ,7:30PM
September 3 Thursday ,7:30PM
JEFF DUNHAM
September 2 Wednesday ,7:00PM
September 3 Thursday ,7:00PM
September 4 Friday ,7:00PM
September 5 Saturday ,7:00PM
September 6 Sunday ,3:00PM
BLUE MAN GROUP
September 1 Tuesday ,7:00PM 9:30PM
September 2 Wednesday ,No Performance
September 3 Thursday ,7:00PM 9:30PM
September 4 Friday ,7:00PM 9:30PM
September 5 Saturday ,7:00PM 9:30PM
September 6 Sunday ,7:00PM 9:30PM
Fort Lee Students Learn How To
Handle Explosives
Shelby Mertens
Staff Writer
Posted Jan. 20, 2015 @ 2:01 am
FORT LEE — Ever wondered how explosive
devices are handled and destroyed? The
students in Fort Lee’s Explosive Ordnance
Disposal course, part of the post’s Ordnance
School, learn how to safely identify and dispose
of explosive devices in a highly challenging course.
The students do not handle real explosive devices, but they are equipped with
the basic knowledge of explosives in the introductory course at Fort Lee that
prepares them for advanced training. After students successfully complete
phase one, they are then transferred to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for
additional training. Once students complete the second portion of the training,
they can then join EOD units across the country
and world. The EOD supports missions for
the U.S. Secret Service, State
Department and other federal agencies.
“EOD is really the go-to people for anybody in
the Army and of course it’s an all services deal,
(serving) Marines, Navy, Air Force, everybody’s
got EOD,” said Sgt. First Class Craig Cohen,
instructor of the phase one EOD course. “So if
you have an explosive, on the battlefield,
stateside, wherever it may be, we’re the people
to call for it (for) any kind of explosive.”
Fort Lee’s EOD training is seven and a half weeks long and students are
evaluated in a variety of ways, including written tests, hands-on tests and at the
end a combination of both. The course is
split up into eight modules, from A to H.
“For this course we have to consider
everybody at a zero-level base
knowledge so we have to start from the
ground up, we have to build some sort of
foundation of basic terms, some history,
some basic tools and generally the
basics of what we do so realistically,
this is just the building block of the
foundation of the actual job itself,” Cohen
said.
The students are issued iPads and are
provided with training aids such as
identification guides and videos.
For hands-on testing, Cohen said in module B, students must assemble an
explosive charge from the point of initiation — the safe area — to the point of
detonation, which is at a simulated distance away.
The EOD course has a 50 percent failure rate, one of the highest among military
occupational specialities.
“It really is difficult,” Cohen said. “Ninety-nine percent of the people are going to
have no idea what they’re dealing with so you have to, through testing and the
ISAP (Student Assessment Plan), we have to determine who has the best chance
at finishing the school completely all the way through Eglin.”
9-footmissile passenger seat in a convertible in SouthFlorida
Fallout for Wounded Warriors — Part II
Posted by Alex Graham on December 27, 2013
Any time you have a conflagration of public opinion about a charity, many will rush in from
both sides of the controversy angrily proclaiming its innocence or perfidy. We seem to have
a similar situation brewing here about the Wounded Warriors Project.
But first, I would like to take a moment to introduce you to the makings of the ‘perfect
charity’. In order to gain the trust of Veterans and the cache of respectability, you must
inveigle a certain number of brand-name celebrities or notable persons to front for you.
Legitimacy is everything to pick-rocketeers and the WWP apparently is no different.
The big name players include former Acting VA Secretary Gordon H. Mansfield (VASEC
2007) and former VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi (VASEC 2001-2005 Acting VASEC 19921993).
Anthony Odierno, son of Gen. Ray Odierno, was drafted to throw in some name familiarity as
well. The rest of the bit players read like a who’s who of former VA upper management and
former military procurement rainmakers.
The long and the short of this is that while they all may profess to be pro Veteran, the
monetary bottom line is always the common denominator. Here, as with the latest revelations
over the exorbitant wages being paid to the Big Six in Veterans Service Organizations,
money is King. Dean Graham sent me the latest cheat sheet and Form 990 (59 pages) this
morning where the WWP lists the high cost of martinis as an excuse for their abysmal
performance in distributing cash.
The flaw in this system is endemic as it is at the American Red Cross and other similarly
situated 501(c)(3)s. Too many chiefs getting paid ungodly high wages and thousands of
Indians slaving for free-oblivious to what is going on above them.
In this post I put up in April 2013, I bemoaned the fact that any Veterans organization would
petition its membership for donations under the auspices of helping fellow Veterans to pay
their CEOs so lavishly. I suppose if you view it myopically, some of the VSO hierarchy are
Veterans and may even be disabled within the tortured meaning of the word. In that case,
taking a $250 donation for a life membership at the DAV to help fund the salary of CEO Arthur
Wilson is a noble endeavor. Here are annual salaries devoid of the medical/transportation
perks.
DAV-Arthur Wilson
2011 wages
$353,519.00
VFW- Lawrence Maher
2011 wages
$238,513.00
Am Leg- Daniel Wheeler
2011 wages
$232,177.00
Perform due diligence and do not let your heart be swayed by the words of a few true
believers who are too lazy to investigate. Donating is not hard. Donating wisely is.
P.S. And the list of miscreants continues to be mailed in. Member Pop Smoke sends us this
on Goodwill Industries. $1million for being a Regional Director while the lowliest worker in
the back room is making 22¢ an hour? Yes you read that right. 22/100 of a dollar an hour.
How do they sleep at night?
EOD, NASA takes a blast at the past
Posted 6/11/2015 Updated 6/11/2015 by Jet Fabara
412th Test Wing Public Affairs
6/11/2015 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- How do you dispose of more than 30 years
of expired explosive aircraft equipment in less than one minute? While some may say "very
carefully," the real answer at Edwards is with the help of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Team.
Since a growing number of explosive ejection seat items had been in storage at NASA's
Armstrong Flight Research Center Life Support shop over the years and needed to be
disposed of, the NASA shop sought out the assistance of the 412th Civil Engineer Group EOD
team to dispose of these items June 8 at the Open Burn/Open Detonation range.
"Today we disposed of approximately 500 pounds of NASA ordnance that they've been
stockpiling for 30 to 50 years belonging to aircraft like the SR-71, to include some
experimental planes," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Severe, 412th CE EOD Quality Assurance
Section. "They weren't able to ship a lot of the equipment since it would cost their team about
half a million dollars in transportation. So it was far cheaper to involve us, and a lot more
convenient."
"We had a lot of old ejection seat pyro-cartridges and rocket engines from our aircraft
programs. The need to dispose of these items started because we had some old Stanley
YANKEE Extraction System rockets that were too old to ship back to depot so we had to look
for local disposal methods and that's where EOD said they could help," added Travis Gidner,
NASA AFRC Operations Life Support.
While Gidner noted that a lot of people usually wonder about the historic value of the items,
he said that due to its volatile nature, it wasn't safe and feasible to keep the items.
"The reason we had to dispose of it is because of the explosive content that's contained
within each item. We have stuff dating back to A-1 Sky Raider seats all the way up to our F16, F-18, B-52 and T-38," Gidner said. "Even though there is a value, historically, to these
items, pyro-cartridges usually don't last and will usually degrade over time. There's also the
possibility that it may become unstable over time and that's what happened to the YANKEE
rockets. They weren't safe to transport anymore, so we had to get rid of them here."
Although Gidner said they brought out a good portion of items that NASA had stockpiled, this
was just the first of two detonation and disposal events due to limited range time.
"When we contacted EOD, they came out, inventoried and photographed everything. The
process took approximately six months, but they gathered the size and weight of everything;
this way they could plan how much C-4 they should use," said Gidner. "Due to our range
time, we had to sort out the biggest items we needed disposed of and planned for a future
disposal event.
"According to Severe, the EOD team used approximately 412 pounds of C-4 explosive.
"This was definitely a first with NASA. Although we had to go through an extensive process,
which involved writing up memorandums, between NASA, EOD and the base, it was a
valuable experience for our young EOD technicians as well," said Severe.
Two 412th Civil Engineer Group Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians prepare to
position a crate that will contain and dispose of expired explosive aircraft equipment during
a detonation and disposal event June 8 at the Open Burn/Open Detonation range. Since a
growing number of explosive ejection seat items had been in storage at NASA’s Armstrong
Flight Research Center Life Support shop over the years and needed to be disposed of, the
NASA AFRC Life Support shop sought out the assistance of the EOD team to dispose of these
expired and potentially volatile items. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)
Technical Sgt. James Bennett, 412th Civil Engineer Group
Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician and NCOIC of
Administration and Technical Orders, unpacks C-4 explosives
during a detonation and disposal event June 8 at the Open
Burn/Open Detonation range. The EOD team used approximately
412 pounds of C-4 explosive to dispose of approximately 500
pounds of NASA ordnance that had been stockpiled for 30 to 50
years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jet Fabara)
Two 412th Civil Engineer Group Explosive Ordnance Disposal
technicians prepare to dispose of approximately 500 pounds of
potentially volatile expired NASA ordnance June 8 at the Open
Burn/Open Detonation range. Since a growing number of explosive ejection seat items had
been in storage at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Life Support shop over the
years and needed to be disposed of, the NASA AFRC Life Support shop sought out the
assistance of the EOD team to dispose of these expired and potentially volatile items. (U.S.
Air Force photo by Jet Fabara) Steve Speandorf,
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center explosive
safety officer, starts laying out an expired rocket engine
during a recent detonation and disposal event June 8 at
the Open Burn/Open Detonation range. NASA AFRC
partnered up with the 412th Civil Engineer Group
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team.
The detonation and disposal was of approximately 500
pounds of NASA ordnance that had been stockpiled for
30 to 50 years June 8 at the Open Burn/Open Detonation
range. The 412th Civil Engineer Group Explosive Ordnance Disposal team used
approximately 412 pounds of C-4 explosive during the detonation and disposal event. (U.S.
Air Force composite photo by Jet Fabara)
303rd EOD Battalion receives new route
clearing vehicles
Soldiers from 74th Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Company, 303rd EOD Battalion, 8th Military
Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment
Command, perform preventive maintenance
checks and services (PMCS) on the new Mine
Resistant Vehicle, also called the...PANTHERS
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - When you
think of a panther, usually the characteristics of
a sleek, agile and quiet stalker of prey come to mind. However, sleek and agile are not what
the new Mine Resistant Vehicles, also called the Panther, inspire.
Weighing in at 60,000 pounds with a height over 11 feet tall and nearly 30 feet long, these
Panthers are hulking giants.
In fact, these Panthers are not meant to be sleek; rather its design serves a greater purposeto withstand the blast from an improvised explosive device.
The Panthers are route-clearing vehicles with thick armor plating that allows explosive
ordnance disposal Soldiers to clear roadways under safer conditions. The Army began
fielding the vehicles last year and finally after months of waiting, Soldiers from 303rd EOD
Battalion, 8th Military Police Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, received hands-on
training April 30, after over a dozen new Panthers arrived at the battalion, here.
Like any new piece of equipment, professional training by the equipment's expert must be
given. Training the EOD Soldiers on the Panthers began in the classroom, as new equipment
training (NET), instructors from U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command
(TACOM), educated the Soldiers in a weeklong block of instruction.
"After the 40 hours of training, they will become the trainers for their company," said Gaines
Stevens, a NET instructor with TACOM.
Spending the first few days in the class room, Staff Sgt. William Hattersley, team leader, 74th
EOD Company, paid special attention to the vehicle's automated capabilities.
"There's a lot more switches and turning them on in the wrong order can actually hurt the
vehicle in some cases," Hattersley said.
After spending nearly an hour performing a preventive maintenance checks and services
(PMCS), Hattersley and his team were ready to learn how to drive the Panther and take the
vehicles out on maneuvers.
As the Panthers rumbled down the road, a distinct
humming could be heard from a distance that grew
louder as the vehicles drew closer, making everyone
around very aware of its presence.
"Hearing protection is mandatory to operate these
vehicles," Stevens said referring to the noise level.
After driving the Panther for a couple hours,
Hattersley said that despite all of its automated
capabilities, the biggest hassle for him is learning to
maneuver around inside the vehicle.
Hattersley said, "Training with these vehicles is
going to take some adjustment."
EOD in Libya, Syria
and the Caucasus:
New Speakers at
NCT eXplosive
Europe 2015 By Portal
Team | June 5, 2015 0 Comments
Taking place from September 22-24 in
Belgrade, Serbia in cooperation with
the Serbian Mine Action Centre, NCT eXplosive Europe 2015 will not only be the place to be
for meeting major demining stakeholders in the Balkan this year – it will also enlarge its focus
on current conflict regions in the Caucasus and the Middle East. Besides countries such as
Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo visiting the event with
delegations, a list of major Humanitarian Demining Organizations confirmed to present their
regional activities at the conference, including:
Roman Tursic, Head of Libya and Afghanistan Implementation Offices, ITF
Andrew Moore, Desk Officer Balkans & Caucasus, HALO Trust
Darvin Lisica, Regional Director Southeast Europe, Norwegian People’s Aid
Iztok Hocevar, Programme Manager, Humanitarian Mine Action in Lebanon, Dan Church Aid
Samuel Paunila, Advisor, Ammunition and Operation Efficiency, GICHD
Together with representatives from 12 countries, they will give an overview of specific ERW
and UXO disposal missions including Libya, Lebanon, Mali, Turkey, Syria and Georgia.
Obviously, NCT eXplosive Europe 2015 will also give in-depth insights in current demining
strategies, procurement plans and capabilities in the Balkans given by representatives from
regional Mine Action Centers.
In addition, the event will include a live EOD exercise taking place on September 22 and an
in-depth analysis of IED and terrorist related threats to public security, military personnel
and critical infrastructure in Europe. Respective presenters at the event include:
Colonel Helmut Heck, Director, C-IED Center of Excellence, Bundeswehr Joint Forces
Operations Command, Germany
Joerg Hillmann, Capability, Armament & Technology Directorate, Head of Unit Land and
Maritime Domains, European Defense Agency
Phil Cordaro, Defeat the Device Branch Chief, NATO C-IED Center of Excellence
Arno Pugonen, Chief of Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Estonian Rescue Board
Rob Martens, EOD Battalion Commander, Ministry of Defense, the Netherlands
In order to get regular updates on the full speaker line-up, the conference program and the
live demonstration, visit our website www.explosiveeurope.com or contact our team via
eventsteam@ib-consultancy.com. We look forward to meeting you in Belgrade!
KFOR EOD TEAMS SUPPORT KOSOVO POLICE
28th January 2015. Yesterday, a demolition operation was conducted by KFOR Explosive
Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams together with the Kosovo Police EOD Unit at the KP
demolition Range on Mt. Goles in Lipljan/Lipjani municipality.
The explosive ordnance disposal operations lasted a few hours during the day and all the
planned activities were successfully accomplished. The operation resulted in the destruction
of several weapons and ammunition seized by KP.
Before the beginning of the demolition operation, KP members established a cordon to
secure the area of the disposal, while a KFOR medical team was present to perform medical
support to the units involved.
The KFOR´s support activity to Kosovo Police was provided in order to contribute to a safe
and secure environment in Kosovo. It was also an opportunity to increase the collaboration
regarding weapons and ammunitions disposal between KP and KFOR EOD teams and to
share demolition techniques.
EOD and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) teams are valuable KFOR assets;
their main mission is to disarm Unexploded Ordnance and to support KP and Kosovo
Security Force (KSF) throughout Kosovo in order to ensure a safe environment for all the
people of Kosovo.
Final Roll Call
By SGM Mike R. Vining, USA (Retired)
Henry Robinson Adams, CAPT, USNR Retired, age 90, of Redwood, California, passed
away on 7 February 2015. Henry was born on 9 July 1924, in Riverside, California. He
served as a Merchant Marine and US Naval Officer, a teacher, and a rancher. Henry
joined the US Maritime Service on his 18th birthday in 1942. During his first tour at sea,
his ship was torpedoed by the enemy and sunk. He was one of eight survivors. He
traveled the world while in the Merchant Marines. His journals and stories from this
period of his life are fascinating, and include handling of the ships' medicine chest and
false imprisonment twice in the Middle East. His awards for his merchant marine service
include American Victory, Philippine Liberation, Pacific, Atlantic, and Caribbean service
during WW II. In 1953, he was called to active duty in the Navy on the attack transport
USS PICKAWAY (APA-222) from 1953 to 1956, as first lieutenant and navigator. In 1956,
he was transferred from Amphibious Force Pacific to Explosives Ordnance Disposal
(EOD), and served as an EOD and diver officer at the U.S. Naval Weapons Station in
Concord, California for three years. His final tour of active duty was as
Instructor/Supervisor of the Nuclear Weapons Disposal School in Indian Head, Maryland.
He requalified as a SCUBA and second class deep sea diver every year from 1957 to
1977. In 1961, he left active duty, and was affiliated with Harbor Defense, Unit 12-1, San
Francisco, California. This was later redesignated as Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare
1820, San Jose, California. Henry served as a commanding officer of this unit from 1968
to 1971. When he retired at age 53, he was the oldest qualified diver in the Naval Reserve,
of which he was justly proud. Navy awards included Korean War and American Defense.
A Celebration of the life of was held at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1106 Alameda de las
Pulgas, San Carlos, CA 94070. Memorial donations can be made to World Vision, 888511-6401, source code 105429679.
Max Ray Beckham, GMCS, USN Retired, age 79, of Isle of Wight, Virginia, passed away
Sunday, 8 February 2015. Max was born in 1935, in Cairo, Georgia. Formerly of Newport
News, Virginia, Max has been an Isle of Wight, Virginia, resident since 1982. Max was a
US Navy veteran during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam, where he served for two tours
and was an Explosive Ordinance Disposal officer and diver. Max also taught EOD in
Indian Head, Maryland. After his Naval Honorable Discharge, Max worked at the Surry
nuclear power plant as a Health Physics supervisor for 17 years. Max was interred in
Albert G. Horton Veteran Memorial Cemetery, Suffolk, Virginia. The family suggests
memorial contributions to Heartland Hospice, 150 Barnett’s Way, Suite #220, Suffolk, VA
23434.
CW2 Sterling Gordon, USA Retired, age 83, of Jamaica, New York, passed away on 12
February 2015. Sterling was born 19 September 1931, in Gary, Indiana. Sterling enlisted
into the United States Army in 1950. In 1951, Sterling graduated from Explosive
Ordinance Disposal School. Sterling was sent to Korea in 1954, and also served in the
Vietnam War. Sterling retired from Army on 29 August 1970. Sterling was a Project
Manager for the City of New York Human Resource Administration. His awards include
the Air Medal and the Bronze Star Medal. Sterling was NATEODA member #1236.
Final Roll Call
MSG Carl E. Morgan, USA Retired, age 84, of Pepperell, Massachusetts on 7 March 2015.
Carl was born on 15 December 1930, in Maysville, Kentucky. Carl joined the U.S. Army
and served his country for 21 years, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant. He was a
Korean War Conflict veteran and Vietnam War veteran, served overseas in Japan as
Military Police, and was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist. After retiring from
the military, he continued working as a civilian for 20 years in the Military Morale Group at
the Fort Devens Bowling Alley and the Fort Devens Golf Course, Massachusetts. Carl was
NATEODA member #1251. Carl was interred in Massachusetts Veterans Memorial
Cemetery, Winchendon, Massachusetts on 13 March 2015. In lieu of flowers, donations
may be made to the American Heart Association, 10 Speen Street, 2nd Floor,
Framingham, MA 01701, or the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston,
MA 02241.
MSgt Bradley Karl Gauss, USAF Retired, age 62, of Laramie, Wyoming, passed away on
18 March 2015. Bradley was born on 27 July 1952. Bradley was a MSGT USAF EOD and
retired after 21 years. He was a licensed private single engine pilot and a licensed
airframe power plant mechanic. He was a lover of nature and a great outdoorsman.
Bradley was formerly of Las Vegas, Nevada.
MSgt Charles H. "Chuck" "Mac" McClenahan, USAF Retired, (1946 - 2015), age 68, of Fort
Walton Beach, Florida, passed away on 3 April 2015. He was a member of Air Force EOD
MasterBlasters.
Chuck's Obituary: http://www.sharonherald.com/obituaries/charles-chuck-h-macmcclenahan/article_918cdaf6-3861-5250-96ca-5dcbff410f44.html
Steven M. Berlin (1950-1984): http://www.findagrave.com/cgibin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=58810444
Sherwood Franklin "Sonny" Gaddy (1937-2011): http://www.findagrave.com/cgibin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=95367238
Richard E. Hallbeck (1930-2002): http://www.findagrave.com/cgibin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=48959397
Neal D. Magnusson (1937-2003): http://www.findagrave.com/cgibin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8229424
Robert W. Riley (1937-2009): http://www.findagrave.com/cgibin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=45418746
Seeking information on William F. Russell, who served in the 42nd and 170th Ord Det
(EOD), deceased June 1972, age 36.
Seeking information on Pappy Moore (need full name). I was informed he passed away
sometime between October 1971 and April 1974. Pappy Moore was the senior supervisor
at Stallion Range Center, New Mexico. He was awarded the soldiers medal for pulling two
enlisted men out of the Quang Tri ASP while it was burning/detonating.
If you know of an EOD veteran or spouse that has passed
away, please email me at: sgmmvining@gmail.com
You are not forgotten.
If you know of an EOD veteran or spouse that has passed away, please email me at:
sgmmvining@gmail.com
You are not forgotten
Final Roll Call
MCPO Frank Anthony Santino, USN, Retired, age 80, on Albuquerque, New Mexico
passed away on 5 March 2015. Frank was born on 19 December 1934, in Montrose,
Michigan. Frank served in the U.S. Navy as an EOD Tech and a deep sea diver for 30
years. After retiring Frank worked at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, New Mexico. Frank
was laid to rest at the South Park Cemetery, Roswell, New Mexico.
MSgt Charles H. “Chuck or Mac” McClenahan, USAF Retired, (1946 - 2015), age 68, of
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, passed away on 3 April 2015. Mac was born on 8 October
1946, in New Castle, Pennsylvania and grew up in Grove City, Pennsylvania. Twenty of
his 22 years in the Air Force were in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), retiring in 1986
as a master sergeant with Air Force commendation medal W/5 oak leaf clusters.
Seventeen of those years were spent at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) making Fort Walton
Beach, Florida his home of 45 years. Robbie the robot, a vehicle made from a
snowmobile from the salvage yard that disarmed bombs remotely was the beginning of
his long career of “out of the box thinking.” In 1987, he began his civil service career
developing 17 items that were placed into the inventory as well as assisting in the
development of six others, including the MOAB (Mother Of All Bombs or Massive
Ordnance Air Blast, GBU 43/B) bomb. His “Gunship in a Box” was his latest contribution.
He held three patents with the Air Force and one of his own. He was a charter member of
Air Force EOD Master Blasters. Mac was interred at Heritage Gardens Cemetery,
Niceville, Florida, on 10 April 2015. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be
made to the EOD Scholarship Warrior Fund, in care of EOD Warrior Foundation.
Donald Rodney “Duckie or Paddlefoot” Jones, USA, age 68, of Blaine, Minnesota passed
away on 20 April 2015. Donald was born in Duluth, Minnesota on 24 February 1947.
Donald was a service connected Vietnam Veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1963
to 1971. According to Donald’s obituary he served in Explosive Ordnance Disposal.
Donald held many titles in his life; cab driver, motor coach driver, mechanic, car
salesman, landlord, over-the-road truck owner and operator, realtor, bus driver, small
business tax preparation specialist. As a realtor Don was a part of the National,
Minnesota State and St. Paul Board of Realtors and the Minnesota Street Rod
Association. Memorial service was held on 27 April 2015, at Willwerscheid Funeral and
Cremation, St. Paul, Minnesota. Donald was laid to rest at Fort Snelling National
Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Kinever Carmel Sanford, Sr., (1923-1999) has two Find-A-Grave profiles at two different
cemeteries (Simcoe United Methodist Cemetery, Simcoe, Alabama and Holly Pond
Cemetery, Holly Pond, Alabama). The other odd thing is that his headstone has the
Master EOD Badge upside down! In what units in Vietnam did Sanford serve?
CWO4 Charles David Alderman, USN Charles was killed on 21 May 1946 and is listed on
the EOD Memorial.
Jim Ferris
Seeking information on William F. Russell, who served in the 42nd and 170th Ord Det
(EOD), deceased June 1972, age 36.He has two Find-A-Grave profiles at two different
cemeteries (Simcoe United Methodist Cemetery, Simcoe, Alabama and Holly Pond
Cemetery, Holly Pond, Alabama). The other odd thing is that his headstone has the
Master EOD Badge upside down! In what units in Vietnam did Sanford serve?
SGM Mike R. Vining, USA (Retired)
Follow up Operation EAGLE CLAW
I was recently interviewed on Operation EAGLE CLAW, the Iran Hostage Rescue Mission,
24 - 25 April 1980, by Rob Walker of BBC. The ten-minute interview was aired on BBC
Witness Program on 24 April 2015. The Witness Programs are a ten-minute snap shot of a
historical event. The 24th of April was the 35th anniversary of the rescue attempt.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02pc4xr
Eight members of the Operation EAGLE CLAW lost their lives at Desert One, Iran:
1st SOW Air Force personnel: MAJ Richard L. Bakke, age 34, Long Beach, CA, MAJ
Harold L. “Hal” Lewis, Jr., age 35, Mansfield, CT, MAJ Lyn D. McIntosh, age 33, Valdosta,
GA, CAPT Charles T. McMillan II, age 28, Corrytown, TN, and Tech. Sgt. Joel C. Mayo, age
34, Bonifay, FL.
Marine Air Group 26, Marine personnel: SSgt Dewey L. Johnson, age 31, Jacksonville, NC,
SGT John D. Harvey, age 21, Roanoke, VA, and CPL George N. Holmes, Jr., age 22, Pine
Bluff, AR.
The photo used on the BBC website was taken at the Intermediate Staging Base (ISB),
Wadi Kena, Egypt,
Dennis E. Wolfe, Durwin D. "Drew" Dengerud, Lawrence N. "Larry" Freedman, William L.
Welsch, and Mike R. Vining.
SGM Lawrence N. "Larry" Freedman, USA Retired was killed in Somali on 22 November
1992.There were two other EOD techs on the mission; SGM Dennis E. Wolfe, USA Retired
and SGM Irvin J. Banta III, USA Retired.
Dennis Wolfe will be co-hosting the 2016 NATEODA Convention in Fayetteville, North
Carolina, along with Bob Leiendecker.
Give them both a hearty handshake, thank you and maybe even a drink.
Bomb Delivery by Lowest Bid?
US Army is testing ray-gun rifle attachment
Apr 23, 2015
Brittany Hillen
In the near future, the Army could be getting a futuristic weapons upgrade: ray guns.
The electric guns are said to be in testing right now by the United States Army, and their
purpose would be to disable electronics when soldiers are out on the battlefield. Though
they’re futuristic in nature, they don’t look like cheesy ray guns from classic sci-fi
movies. Rather, they’re standard M4 rifles with antennas jutting from the barrel, with the
entire attachment being called the “Burke Pulser”.
According to Defense One, the Army is testing so-called “electricity guns” that feature
two antennas that jut from the barrel and spread open into a musket-esque shape. The
contraption was detailed by US Army Armament Research’s electronics engineer James
E. Burke, who recently spoke about the weapon. You can see an example of what it looks
like in the slide below.
The Burke Pulser features two antennas and a piezoelectric generator, primarily, the
latter of which is involved in harnessing the energy that results when the rifle is fired.
That energy is converted into electrical pulses. There’s a blast shield of sorts on the
Pulser, which protects the soldier who is firing the weapon.
The Burke Pulser is said to attach to an M4 rifle the same way a standard-issue
suppressor does. With it, soldiers in the field could disable electronic devices they come
across, such as IEDs with Bluetooth components. Should the attachments be developed,
they would cost under $1000/ea to produce on the mass level.
SOURCE: Defense One
BOMB SQUAD ROBOT DELIVERS PIZZA, SAVES A MAN'S LIFE
DISARMING THE SITUATION
By Kelsey D. Atherton Posted April 17, 2015
Northrop Grumman Andros F6A Robot Kelsey D. Atherton--Sometimes, a kind hand
holding out a pizza is enough, even if that hand is attached to the mechanical arm of a
bomb squad robot. On Monday, California Highway Patrol responded to a man standing
with a knife on a San Jose highway overpass. After a five-hour standoff, the man left
alive, thanks in no small part to the bomb squad robot.
Police robots are traditionally used to inspect and, if need be, disable explosive
devices. But they can also be disarming in other ways. Once it became clear to police
that the man was armed and at risk, rather than confront him with officers they sent out
a robot with a phone and a pizza.
Sergeant Chris Sciba of the San Jose Police Department told IEEE Spectrum reporter
Tekla Perry: [Because] delivering food is a way of encouraging someone to do
something we want them to do, we sent pizza with phone. We [instructed the subject]
that if he wanted the pizza released, to pick up the phone. The robot was holding the
pizza, it released the pizza once the subject picked up phone to talk to negotiators. It
took several hours for the robot to get there, but about an hour after the robot (and the
pizza) arrived, the man dropped his knife and calmly walked away from the overpass.
Defusing a Bomb in VR Is a Blast
The high-pressure world of bomb defusing is not for me.
I don’t have the stomach for it, nor do I have the eyes (I’m color-blind). Thankfully, advances in virtual reality have
allowed me to experience the thrills of snipping the blue wire without stressing out over the potentially disastrous
consequences.
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes" is an
independent game in development by a tiny team at Steel Crate Games (to be released
later this year). Playing requires a minimum of two participants. One player straps on a VR
headset (Oculus and Gear VR support are planned) and is placed in a virtual room
containing a bomb and filled with complex traps and symbols. It’s a bit like stepping into a
scene from a James Bond flick, complete with a giant digital clock, counting down
dramatically. The objective? Defuse the bomb in time.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of ways to set off the bomb and just one right way to
defuse it. That’s where player two comes in. The helper bee wears no VR headset and has
no screen to look at. Instead, player two is given a large three-ring binder containing
dozens of printed pages detailing exactly how one might defuse this bomb. Suddenly, the
clock starts ticking and the yelling commences. The player unlucky enough to be staring
at a bomb needs to describe what he is looking at to the player with the giant binder, who
must then find the corresponding page in the massive tome. For instance, you might have
to describe a series of vertical wires connected to LEDs. It’s up to player two to figure it
out, find the right page, and tell you how to defuse it.
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/defusing-a-bomb-in-vr-is-a-blast-12818536639.html
http://www.keeptalkinggame.com/
Mike R. Vining, SGM USA (Retired)
Sgt. Dan Parrett, of the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office bomb squad, looks for evidence
during an exercise scenario where a bomb exploded in a bus, Wednesday at Camp
Blanding. Will.Dickey@jacksonville.com.
As battle lines blur in the war on terrorism, with attacks — both thwarted and realized
happening in the United States, military and law enforcement bomb squads are joining
forces to share expertise in exercises like the Raven’s Challenge taking place this week at
Camp Blanding. The exercise, funded by the Army and led by the Bureau of Alcohol
Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, aims to increase the ability of military explosive
ordnance disposal [EOD] units to work together with federal, state and local bomb
squads.
Throughout the year, the exercise will take place in ports, abandoned airports and
unfinished nuclear plants. “The exercise is invaluable,” ATF special agent Tom Mangan
said. “It serves as a great platform for continuity where we’re addressing and attacking
real-world scenarios, real-world devices that are actually seen in theater by the military or
also domestically and internationally by our public safety bomb squads or federal
explosive ordnance detachments as well.” Both sides are learning from each other and
can sometimes find themselves working together in the real world.
RAVEN'S CHALLENGE: Bomb Squad Practice at Camp Blanding
It’s not highly publicized, but civilian agencies do call upon military EOD units for help.
In some scenarios, local police jurisdictions don’t have bomb squad assets and they will
request military assets to come in and handle explosive devices in their community,”
Simpson said. TSA transportation security specialist, and former Army EOD technician,
Pete Flores described how that can work in counties with little or no bomb squad assets. “If
[military units] were to be requested by a local department, they have to operate under that
umbrella or jurisdiction of that local police department,” he said. “Some states and counties
have what they call MOUs, or memorandums of understanding. When they request military
support, they have to go through a certain process.”
One scenario, which many of the exercises in Raven’s Challenge emulate, is multiple
bombs or IEDs in a single jurisdiction. “A lot of the departments aren’t full-time,” he said.
“Some of the teams can be four or five people, so if you have multiple IEDs in a county or a
city, one team is not going to be able to do it. An event that can bring in military teams to
assist a local police department — common in Florida — is when old military ordnance
washes up on the beach.
Sgt. Chris Cicio of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad said that happens from
time-to-time in his community. “We get a lot of WWII stuff that washes up on St. Lucie
County shores,” he said. “The forerunners of the Navy SEALS trained there for the invasion
of Normandy. Well, every once in a while, you’ll get someone out there with their metal
detector and they’ll dig up something behind a condominium. Of course, different
considerations have to be taken into account in a beachfront community in Florida than
blowing an IED in place in the Middle East.
“We’d love to put a pound of C-4 on it and make it go away, but when it’s right behind a
condominium with a glass façade you can’t do that.”
Each side, whether military or civilian, brings their own areas of expertise. “The amount of
time that those military EOD units had [on the battlefield] and hands-on, it many times
dwarfs the number of IEDs and bomb calls that the state and local bomb squads see,”
Mangan said. Many military members taking part in Raven’s Challenge were veterans of
Iraq and Afghanistan, where calls to disarm or destroy an IED took place on a daily basis.
However, civilian bomb squads deal much more in crime-scene investigations and evidence
preservation. “One of the joint scenarios deals with a search warrant,” Cicio said. “We’ve
done hundreds of search warrants, they haven’t.” Members of a bomb squad have to scour
the search warrant and find exactly what they’re looking for, he said. In the case of a crime
scene, anyone examining the aftermath has to have a keen eye for microscopic detail.
“You might be looking for a specific type of 9-volt battery and you have to know what all
those components are in that battery because you might find those pieces,” Cicio said.
“You have to know that when you look at that little-bitty piece of that battery that it’s a
component of that battery.
“The [civilian] schools are pretty in-depth to be able to recognize timers and circuit boards
that are blown apart.” Raven’s Challenge put the units through 15 different drills, ranging
from collapsed buildings to suicide bombers on public buses — scenarios the U.S. has
already seen. The teams are there to prepare for the worst. The military teams have seen
things in theater and outside of the country that hopefully we won’t see — but we probably
will start seeing here at home.
Clifford Davis: (904) 359-4103, Jacksonville.com.
EOD
INTERNATIONAL:
U.S.,
SPANISH MARINES COMPLETE
INTEROPERABILITY EXERCISE
S
By Sgt. Paul Peterson, 10054
Spanish and U.S. Marine explosive ordnance
disposal technicians monitor a bomb
disposal robot during a training exercise in
Sierra Del Retin, Spain, May 5, 2015. EOD
technicians from Special-Purpose Marine
Air-Ground Task Force Crisis ResponseAfrica joined their Spanish counterparts and
completed a three-day training operation, which included live-demolition operations. (U.S.
Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul Peterson/Released)
U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Brian Smith, an explosive
ordnance disposal technician from SpecialPurpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis
Response-Africa, puts on a lightweight Spanish
Marine EOD protective helmet in Sierra Del Retin,
Spain, May 5, 2015. Smith and other EOD
technicians from SPMAGTF-CR-AF joined forces
with their Spanish Marine counterparts to share
their techniques and procedures and build upon their ability to work together during future
operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul Peterson/Released)
EOD International: U.S., Spanish Marines complete interoperability exercise
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Travis Vuocolo, right, an explosive ordnance disposal technician from
Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, shows Spanish
Marine EOD technicians the results of an ordnance x-ray they took during a training exercise
in Sierra Del Retin, Spain, May 5, 2015. The two groups worked side by side for three days
during a training exercise designed
to enhance their interoperability.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt.
Paul Peterson/Released)
EOD International: U.S., Spanish
Marines complete interoperability
exercise
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Andrew
Cooper, an explosive ordnance
disposal technician from SpecialPurpose Marine Air-Ground Task
Force Crisis Response-Africa,
places an explosive charge during ordnance
disposal training with Spanish Marine EOD
technicians in Sierra Del Retin, Spain, May 5,
2015. The two groups demonstrated their various
ordnance disposal techniques for different types
of munitions during a three-day training exercise
at the range. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt.
Paul Peterson/Released) EOD International:
U.S., Spanish Marines complete interoperability
exercise
U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Brian Smith, left, an explosive ordnance disposal technician from
Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, discuss their
various ordnance disposal techniques with a Spanish Marine EOD technician in Sierra Del
Retin, Spain, May 5, 2015. The two groups joined forces for the three-day bilateral training
exercise, which was designed to enhance their ability to work as a unified team during future
operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paul Peterson/Released)
EOD International: U.S., Spanish Marines complete interoperability exercise
A Spanish Marine explosive ordnance disposal
technician detonates a charge on a range with
U.S. Marine EOD technicians in Sierra Del Retin,
Spain, May 5, 2015. The two groups worked side
by side during a three-day training exercise
designed to hone their ability to conduct bilateral
operations in the future. (U.S. Marine Corps photo
by Sgt. Paul Peterson/Released
But for the U.S. Marine EOD technicians with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force
Crisis Response-Africa, their brothers among the Spanish Marine Corps come from an even
smaller, but equally select fraternity.
The two groups spent weeks communicating with
each other and discussing how they conduct
operations within their respective services. They
coordinated a training plan that could benefit
both groups and joined forces to take part in the
2nd Battalion, Spanish Marine Brigade’s live-fire
field exercise in Sierra Del Retin, Spain, May 4-6.
The opportunity was a unique chance to explore how technicians from a partner nation
approach the explosive ordnance field, said Gunnery Sgt. Carlos Villarreal, an EOD
technician deployed with SPMAGTF-CR-AF in Spain.
“It all falls back on being able to work together and learn each other’s capabilities to spread
that knowledge,” said Villarreal. “Any training is good training, but this allows us to glean as
much from this deployment as we can by gaining knowledge from another NATO ally. In the
future, as we continue doing this, it’s going to grow that interoperability.”
Five U.S. Marine and three Spanish Marine EOD technicians discussed how they conduct
operations and demonstrated their equipment and techniques during live-fire ordnance
disposal. The U.S. Marines also demonstrated their various methods for defeating
improvised explosive devices, drawing from their team’s extensive background with IEDs
from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Some of the procedures we do, they do with minor differences here and there, but most of it
is the same concept,” said Villarreal. “It lets us see how they operate, and they saw how we
operate. If there’s ever an opportunity for us to work together again in the future, we know
their capabilities, they know our capabilities, and we can combine those.”
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Travis Vuocolo,t, an explosive ordnance disposal technician from
Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, shows Spanish
Marine EOD technicians the results of an ordnance x-ray they took during a training exercise
in Sierra Del Retin, Spain, May 5, 2015. The two groups worked side by side for three days
during a training exercise designed to enhance their interoperability.
Vietnam Deepens Industrial Ties With France And India
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry 28 May 2015
Vietnam has deepened defence industrial ties with France and India as part of Hanoi's efforts to
secure technology transfers and develop indigenous capabilities.
State media in Hanoi reported on 27 May that senior officials from Vietnam's Ministry of National
Defence (MND) and the international development arm of the French Ministry of Defence's
Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) have agreed in meetings in Hanoi to explore further
areas of defence industrial collaboration and related technology transfers and training.
Two days earlier Vietnam's defence minister Phung Quang Thanh signed a similar agreement in
New Delhi with his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar.
According to Vietnam's state media, representatives of France's DGA outlined a commitment to
co-operate with Vietnam in modernising the country's armed forces through a programme of
industrial collaboration.
Army, Navy EOD Techs Participate in May Underway
Story Number: NNS150602-04Release Date: 6/2/2015 12:14:00 PM
By Walter T. Ham IV, 20th CBRNE Command Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- U.S. Army and U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal, or
EOD, technicians trained together at sea during the May Underway exercise.
Army EOD Soldiers from the Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico-based 21st EOD
Company "Blackjacks" trained with Navy EOD technicians aboard an Afloat Forward
Staging Base in the Atlantic Ocean.
"Joint EOD operations are extremely important to increasing and securing our greater
national defense posture," said Maj. Caleb A. Lewis, the commander of the 21st EOD
Company. "EOD at its very core is a joint endeavor."
The 21st EOD Company is part of the 71st EOD Group, 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical,
Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives). With Soldiers and civilians on 19 posts in
16 states, the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland-based 20th CBRNE Command
combats global CBRNE threats with joint, interagency and allied partners.
Lewis said the U.S. military EOD community is inherently joint because all EOD techs are
trained together at the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School, or NAVSCOLEOD, on
Elgin Air Force Base, Florida.
"It is here that the joint relationship foundation is created, one created and nurtured in an
eight month, academically rigorous course," said Lewis. "EOD technicians graduate
NAVSCOLEOD fully prepared to successfully execute their trusted mission set in a joint
environment."
Lewis said joint EOD relationships have paid dividends on the battlefield.
"These relationships have been played out time and again over the last fourteen years in
places like Iraq and Afghanistan," said Lewis, a native of Canandaigua, New York, who
has deployed to Iraq twice and Afghanistan once.
Who knows?
eXplosion conference.
Taking place in Kuala Lumpur on May 12-14 in
cooperation with the Malaysian Armed Forces,
the fourth NCT eXplosive Asia event welcomed
more delegates than ever before while hosting
the first ever regional EOD forum in Malaysia.
Highlighted by the Opening Keynote Address by
General Tan Sri Dato Sri (Dr.) Zulkifeli bin Mohd
Zin, Malaysian Chief of Defense, NCT eXplosive
Asia discussed C-IED and EOD related
challenges in prevention, training, response and
procurement in Asia.
In its fourth year, NCT eXplosive Asia assembled
more delegates than ever before. With a large
Malaysian delegation, and various international
representatives from more than 20 countries, this
year’s event was a more than worthy successor
of previous editions in India, Thailand and
Cambodia. Organized in cooperation with the
Malaysian Armed Forces, the event raised a lot of
interest in Malaysia itself, being the first focused
regional C-IED and EOD conference in the
country. As the event’s highlight, the Malaysian
Chief of Defense himself, General Tan Sri Dato Sri
(Dr.) Zulkifeli bin Mohd Zin, gave the Keynote
Opening Address of this year’s NCT eXplosive
Asia in front of representatives of the Malaysian
Navy, Air Force, Army, Police and other
Government Agencies.
Current IED related challenges in Asia and
worldwide
The development of NCT eXplosive Asia into the
largest and leading C-IED and EOD forum in Asia
during the last four years is paralleled to the
WE ARE STILL AT
WAR!
EOD Techs Strike In Protest Of ‘NoAlcohol’ Policy
Dick Scuttlebutt , May 4, 2015,News parody.
FORT BRAGG, N.C. — A Department of Defense-wide labor strike by
Explosive Ordnance Disposal soldiers began this week after
negotiations failed to achieve a repeal of the ban on storage and
consumption of alcohol in unit facilities, sources confirmed
The stalemate comes following a recent joint DOD directive ordering
all EOD formations to shut down and physically remove their unit bars
from day-rooms.
Meanwhile, EOD unit headquarters across the services have been
shut down due to an “Occupy”-like appropriation by foul-mouthed,
drunken bomb technicians sporting tattoos and genital piercings.
Leading the loosely-affiliated, and unimaginatively-named, “Techs for
Booze” coalition, which initially called for the strike, is Master Sgt. Ed
Zwick, an operations NCO and EOD Team Leader in 192nd Ordnance
Battalion (EOD) at Fort Bragg. Zwick spoke with reporters at a small
press event minutes after the strike officially began.
“Until recently, all EOD units had a bar right in the dayroom, which
was stocked with plenty of beer and liquor,” Zwick said. “And that
worked out great. But recently, Big Army started paying more
attention to us, and suddenly we couldn’t wear civilian clothes and
call each other by first name anymore. We had to start pretending to
be soldiers. And the worst part was that they came in and made us
tear out all our bars
Echoing Zwick’s concerns and elaborating on them was Gunnery
Sgt. Raymundo Perez, an EOD Marine at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He
agreed to speak briefly with reporters after leading his Marines in a
singalong of “We Shall Overindulge” while they executed some
regulation light swaying.
“Look at the Wall,” Perez said, referring to the EOD Memorial at Eglin
Air Force Base, Fla., “and tell me: where do the overwhelming
majority of our recent casualties occur? In theaters like Iraq and
Afghanistan, where they don’t let you get hammered. Coincidence? I
say thee nay.
EOD service members all over the world have joined in on the strike,
staging sit-ins at unit areas, singing protest songs, and playing Xbox.
Their refusal to work has led to many instances of training being shut
down and public areas being evacuated, since nobody has been
responding to render safe the ordnance and IEDs constantly being
discovered around the country.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff refused to comment directly on the matter,
but when confronted in a bathroom stall in the Pentagon’s E-Ring,
Army Chief Gen. Raymond Odierno did explain the DOD’s position
“Those assholes need to get with the program,” Odierno said.
“Drinking during lunch? Civilian clothes? Xv$%!b first-name basis? I
don’t give a shit how many of them get killed, and nobody buys that
bullshit about how ‘adherence to rules and regulations creates
patterns which can be exploited by bomb makers.’ That’s an excuse
to slack off. So they can go ahead and strike, and I’ll be happy to give
their mission — and funding — to the XV$%!b Chemical Corps. Now
can I have the damn toilet paper, please?”
Short URL: http://duffelblog.com/lcAWI .
(THIS IS VERIFIED BY TWO CASES OF BEER AND 2 BOTTLES OF
TEQUILA)
a nurse in in Vietnam
US Navy EOD Disposes of Japanese Sea Mine
zoom
US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 Det. Marianas conducted a
controlled burn of a Japanese sea mine on the morning of May 9.
After Joint Region Marianas received a request
for assistance from Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Eloy S. Inos, six
EOD technicians flew from Guam to Saipan May 7.
Detachment Officer in Charge Lt. Nick Matics and Senior Chief (EWS) Explosive Ordnance
Disposal Warfare Specialist Brian Fitzgerald investigated the sea mine and identified it as
a World War II Japanese Type 93 JB sea mine containing 220 pounds of explosives. Due
to the sensitivity of the mine, Matics and Fitzgerald advised the local government that it
was unsafe to transport and advised local agencies that a controlled burn was the safest
method to deal with the mine in its location.
Over the next 24 hours, the team worked with the support of the government and local
agencies to set up barriers around the mine in order to protect personnel and property in
the event that the explosives detonated during the operation.
On the night of May 8, after all physical protective barriers had been set, local law
enforcement evacuated the immediate area. At 3:40 a.m. the next morning, the EOD
technicians conducted a controlled burn of the sea mine. After confirming that it was safe
to transport, the team prepared the mine for movement to a predetermined location
where they conducted a final disposal of any remaining hazards.
The non-commissioned officer in charge of equipment,
104th Explosive Ordnance Flight (EOD), 104th Fighter
Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Mass.,
walks around the C-130 aircraft prior to “Safeing” it, May
13, 2015, Ramstein, Air Base Germany. He is an
emergency responder who will be qualified on “Safeing”
the C-130 aircraft, making him more valuable to the
104th Fighter Wing and New England area. (U.S. Air
National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Melanie J.
Casineau/Released)
104FW EOD members participate in C-130 emergency response exercise
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Two Airmen from the 104th Explosive Ordnance Flight
(EOD), 104th Fighter Wing, Barnes Air National Guard Base,
Westfield, Massachusetts, trained on a C-130 aircraft for an emergency response exercise
May 13 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
The aircraft training that the two Airmen participated in covered one of the five major
focuses that the Airmen have to train on every year for
EOD: weapons of mass destruction, chemical biological agent, improvised explosive device,
conventional munitions, and aircraft.
"At the 104th, I train on the F-15 aircraft; this is my first time training on a C-130 aircraft,"
said non-commissioned officer in charge of operations,
104th EOD. "This is important training because we are emergency responders and are now
able to respond to any emergencies involving C-130s in New England."
For example, "if Quonset, Rhode Island, a C-130 wing, is deployed and cannot take care of
the aircraft, we are now qualified to do it for them," he said.
The training that was done on the C-130 aircraft is called "Safeing," taking a system that is
armed and de-arming it, making it safe, he said.
EOD must eliminate all possible explosives.
"The three reasons we would 'safe' an aircraft are an accident, mishap, or crash," he said.
In an emergency situation in the states, the fire department would be the primary response
for egress if the pilot is unable to do it,
but EOD must be trained and capable of responding as a backup.
If there is no fire department on base or it is an international fire department, then EOD
would provide the primary response.
Overseas there is a higher likelihood that the fire department on base is not familiar with
American aircrafts, he said.
"I was overseas on a base that only had Polish aircraft and only a Polish fire department," he
said.
"When an American aircraft had an emergency landing on their flight line, they were not
familiar with the procedures to shut it down.
The only people who were familiar with the aircraft besides the pilot were us (EOD)."
The Airmen are now more qualified than they were before this deployment and more valuable
to their unit and the units around them.
Additionally, they are better trained and prepared for their next deployment alongside their
active- duty counterparts.
BOOKS BY MEMBERS OR ABOUT EOD
SERVICE, A NAVY SEAL AT WAR, by Marcus Luttrell: the author of LONE SURVIVOR
(NON-MEMBER)
NINE FROM ABERDEEN by Jeffery Leatherwood PHD
THIS IS WHAT HELL LOOKS LIKE by Stu Steinberg
XUK MAY by Gary Pool
NATEODA
NAVAL SCHOOL of EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL
HISTORY OF WWII BOMB DISPOSAL (CD)
By Bob Leiendecker
PUBLICATIONS AUTHORED BY MICHAEL WEBER
Books: “Grenades"
"Biological Weapons Biological Weapons and Employment of Biological Agents"
"Weaponization of Anthrax"
" Weaponization of BotX"
"Weaponization of Ricin"
"Managers and First Responders Emergency Response Guide to -Improvised Explosive
devices and Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices"
Papers
"Environmental Safety and Compliance in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations"
"Risk Assessment of Chemical and Biological Hazards in UN Peace Keeping Operations"
"Anatomy of a Hostage Rescue"
"Preparation of a High Value Person That May Become a Hostage"
"North Korean Spy Tunnels"
"Munitions Remnants Assessment: Strike in Gaza – November 2014"
"The Medical Surveillance Program Guide for the Explosives manufacturing Surveillance
Program"
"Data Assessment: Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Literature Review of Pentaerthritol
Tetranitrate (PETN)"
"Determination of the Potential to Detonate"
Approximately 13 MAGAZINE ARTICLES written using a cover name.
BY MICHAEL WEBER
Deputies detonate volatile chemicals discovered in Arden apartment
News 10 Staff, KXTV 6:51 p.m. PDT June 5, 2015
Investigation of chemical odor in Arden apartment complex
(Photo: News10/ KXTV).
212 CONNECT 2 TWEETLINKEDIN 1 COMMENTEMAILMORE.
Residents of a Sacramento apartment complex were able to return to their homes early
Friday morning after a suspicious chemical odor prompted an evacuation.
The Sacramento Sheriff's Department investigated the complex, located at 2226 Edison
Avenue near Howe Avenue, Thursday afternoon after an employee contacted them about
a strange chemical odor.
Authorities initially suspected the chemical odor's source could be a meth lab operating
inside an apartment unit. Because its resident was out of town, deputies obtained a
search warrant to enter the apartment.
Inside the apartment, deputies found two "volatile chemical compounds" in a container
that they say needed to be destroyed. As a precaution, the apartment complex was
evacuated and 1,700 nearby residents were notified to remain in their homes.
Explosives Ordnance Detail (EOD) transported the containers into a containment trailer
and detonated them.
Shortly after 1 a.m. Friday, the evacuation was lifted and residents were able to return to
their apartments.
When the renter returns home or is reachable, sheriff's department said EOD detectives
will handle the investigation.
Wheel covers available by special order through
“The Blasting Cabinet”.
Cindy Yates,
www.theblastingcabinet.com
wearyourjourney@gmail.com;
this one designed by GARY POOL.
FOR EOD JACKETS
CONTACT:?
1920 Spruce Drive, Erie, CO
80516-9734
Telephone: 303-828-3422 or Email at barbmcd8@earthlink.net
For NATEODA hats, pins, patches,
and belt buckles
Contact: James Paget, PO Box 567
Clinton, AR 72031
NATEODA INFORMATION AND OFFICIAL BUSINESS
NATIONAL EOD ASSOCIATION
For Membership, Address and other information changes, Tax-deductible donations,
meeting information, Commercial & non-commercial displays at meetings, and meeting site
proposals, contact: Frank A. Martinez, Adjutant, NATEODA19124 46th Avenue West,
Lynnwood, WA 98036-4640 Telephone: 425-697-4102
:frankntinam@frontier.com
please visit our website nateoda.com
My Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/followingorders Gift time is
coming.
There are some nice pieces of EOD jewelry
available.
My web site: www.followingorder.biz Contact me directly if you want to
purchase. The beads are $69 plus $6 shipping. I also have the Basic
EOD bead,
NATEODA
1104 Idlewood Ave.
P.O. Box 249 (Zip is 76098)
Azle, Texas 76020-3648
Azle, Texas
76020-3648
Non-Profit Or
US Postage Paid
Azle, TX
Permit No. 1