Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. -- Airmen from the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, and EOD representatives from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., and Fort Bliss, Texas performed a range clearance operation Oct. 30-31, 2017, on the Red Rio Range, north of Holloman AFB, N.M.
“We conduct range clearances at Red Rio bi-annually with other service EOD technicians,” said Tech. Sgt. Brandon Parrish, 49th CES EOD quality assurance manager. “The range office on Holloman requests that we clear the range of any potential explosive hazards. We do this because it allows the range office to conduct maintenance on targets and (ensure) that inert bombs are cleared so there is no buildup of bomb debris.”
EOD and range operations personnel work closely together to maintain the range for flying missions. The clearance mission is conducted not only to get rid of any explosive hazards to individuals on the range, but to also free the area of debris.
“It is important that we clear the range to better protect the environment,” Parrish said. “Although the metal used to enclose the explosive agent will corrode over decades, we do not want those materials being exposed and absorbed into the environment.”
EOD Airmen and soldiers spent Oct. 30 and 31 clearing the range and demolished what was found on the range Nov. 3. During demolition day, EOD technicians exploded any and all ordnance that could not be determined inert on the range. Inert bombs are cracked open to verify there were no explosive agents inside.
“We have to ensure that the bomb dropped was inert,” said Senior Airman Brandon Tran, 49th CES EOD technician. “We will crack open the ordnance by blowing it up. This way, range personnel can verify there is no explosive hazard to them or their operation.”