Holloman Air Force Base N.M. -- The U.S. Border Patrol contacted the Holloman Air Force Base Command Post about a possible Unexploded Ordnance on Jan. 5, 2017.
Holloman AFB’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight responded.
“We received a phone call from two motorcyclists about a possible UXO,” said Kenneth Greenough, a border patrol agent. “Once the scene was investigated, we contacted the Holloman AFB Command Post to alert EOD of a potential UXO.”
A three-person EOD team responded in 30 minutes, and were in-route to the scene, after the call was received. EOD is responsible for any military ordnance found and can be asked to support any explosive incident in the local area if civilian authorities require assistance or don’t have the assets to handle the hazard.
“When a suspect item or UXO presents hazards to Holloman Air Force Base, and Otero County personnel and property, a quick response time is key in order to get to the scene as efficiently as possible,” said Master Sgt. Robert Shuman, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD quality assurance manager.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal units are the subject matter experts responsible for rendering safe explosive hazards from conventional, biological, chemical, and nuclear ordnance or munitions. Regardless of the threat, EOD responds to explosive hazards and mitigates the associated danger.
“We are happy to work with Holloman AFB,” Greenough said. “This joint partnership helps both units accomplish the mission.”
While working with other government agencies is a normal practice for EOD, they continue to train with the border patrol to increase their efficiency and safety when responding to explosive hazards.
The incident lasted two hours from the initial call to mission complete. The potential UXO that was called in was a used firework, resembling a hand grenade.
“This call represents a successful response by Team Holloman to support our local community and other governmental agencies,” Shuman said.