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Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron and Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, are finding safer techniques to train and disarm explosives. Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians aboard the Air Station participated in their first field exercise of the new year, Jan. 9.

Photo by Pfc. Samantha Torres

Bombs away: EOD trains for IED threats

16 Jan 2015 | Pfc. Samantha Torres Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron and Marine Wing Support Squadron 273 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, are finding safer techniques to train and disarm explosives.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians aboard the Air Station participated in their first field exercise of the new year, Jan. 9.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians are responsible for the Tri-Command area as well as the four surrounding counties. They also support local authorities in situations ranging from bomb threats to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear incidents.
The exercise involved executing a percussion actuated neutralizer, or PAN, on different Improvised Explosive Device targets.
“Sometimes you don’t always have all the factors of an IED, so scenarios are set up for different types of shots for different targets,” said SSgt. Timothy Golden, an EOD technician.
The PAN is a method that can be used in many situations. It destroys the power source of an IED, making it safer to investigate the explosive.
“It does more than just render IED safety. That is its primary purpose, and that’s why we’re out here today,” said Golden.
Safety is an important aspect of the military, and finding safer ways to train with something as sensitive as explosives is a neverending mission.
The exercise also helped the Marines better define the roles and missions in the event they have to respond to an actual threat.