MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- KABOOM! A loud explosion resonates throughout the park as tire fragments and debris fly through the air. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marine walks up to the once beautiful park, now stained with blasted litter, and makes sure the explosive site is rendered safe.
As part of Exercise Active Shield, Station Marines participated in a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) scenario together with Japan Ground Self Defense Force 46th Infantry Regiment at Gunn Park here, Dec. 14.
“The exercise gave Station first responders, like the Provost Marshal’s Office and EOD, joint training with the JGSDF in a vehicle borne IED scenario,” said Chief Warrant Officer Wesley C. Williams, Station EOD officer and native of York, Pa. “It is not a very likely scenario in Iwakuni, but it is possible.”
The scenario began when an unidentified vehicle penetrated MCAS Iwakuni’s North Gate. PMO pursued the vehicle with security support from JGSDF.
“There is an obvious language barrier between us (Station Marines) and the JGSDF,” said Cpl. Joseph Singleton, PMO K-9 handler and native of Mount Pleasant, N.C. “But we train together so much we know each other’s tactics.”
The car stopped at Gunn Park and the assailants were then arrested by military police, as JGSDF provided security.
After the assailants were arrested and interrogated, PMO discovered that there was an IED in the trunk of the vehicle, and EOD was quickly called in.
Once on scene, EOD sent in a remote ordnance neutralizing system, Andros robot, to probe the vehicle and see what type of explosive device was waiting to be uncovered.
“In a situation like this, the robot is the first tool we use,” said Staff Sgt. Matthew Bateman, EOD technician and native of Los Angeles. “If something goes wrong, the robot gets hurt, not us.”
“Driving the robot is like driving a big remote control car, except your watching it on a television screen,” added Bateman.
The robot discovered an IED in the trunk. EOD proceeded and breeched the vehicle with an explosive charge.
“Using live explosives to breach the trunk makes the training very realistic,” said Bateman. “It gives everyone involved in the exercise a better appreciation of the training.”
After the vehicle’s trunk was breached, EOD sent in the Andros robot yet again to make sure everything was safe.
The robot probed the site, Bateman went in wearing a 85-pound bomb suit to check the IED in the charred up trunk and also search for secondary IEDs.
“Wearing the suit is very hot and cumbersome,” said Williams.
“The suit is also very heavy,” added Bateman. “When you are approaching the IED, you have to keep your mind in the game.”
The exercise ended when EOD investigated the explosive site and found that the IED was disabled, due to the charge.
“The exercise was a success,” said Williams. “PMO worked well with the JGSDF providing security, as EOD focused on the IED and rendered the site safe.”