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Fire in the hole!

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class BrieAnna Stillman
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C --  As the wind steadily blew and the branches rustled, Airmen assigned to Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, prepared for a “fire in the hole!” Boom! Sound filled the air, a shock wave pierced through their chests and a black cloud rose in the distance in a matter of seconds.

The 20th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal Airmen disposed of unexploded ordnance in Conway, S.C., April 4.

While building a new apartment complex over a now-defunct bombing range once used by deactivated Myrtle Beach AFB during World War II, construction workers found eight possible explosive hazards and four plaster-filled explosives.

“We take care of anything from hand grenades up to a nuclear weapon,” said Staff Sgt. Victor Martinez, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD journeyman.

EOD Airmen used 16 blocks of C4 to crack open and recycle all of the ordnance. C4 is an explosive material used to break down things such as UXOs. This ensures all hazardous ordinance are neutralized and any plaster-filled ordnance are safe and unhazardous.

Airman assigned to EOD have responded on multiple calls to dispose and recycle of any UXOs found on the construction site.

EOD personnel perform operations to protect personnel, resources, and the environment from the effects of hazardous explosive ordnance and improvised explosive devices.