Thursday, February 5, 2015

US Navy EOD team aids PHL military in safe disposal, detonation of WW II bomb

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 6): US Navy EOD team aids PHL military in safe disposal, detonation of WW II bomb

A US Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team has assisted its counterparts in the Philippine military on the safe disposal and detonation of a 500 pound World War II-era bomb unearthed in Butuan City last year.

This was disclosed by the US Embassy in Manila Friday morning.

The bomb was recently discovered by a construction crew digging the foundation for a new school in the heart of Butuan City.

Philippine National Police personnel in the area moved swiftly first to safeguard the area and then to excavate the bomb and transport it outside of city limits as a precautionary measure to protect the civilian population.

After careful deliberation between PNP, Philippine Army, and Philippine Navy EOD units, a request for assistance was submitted to the Joint US Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) at the US Embassy for assistance in determining the condition of the bomb.

On Nov. 17, JUSMAG deployed a two-man US Navy EOD team to liaise with Philippine counterparts and determine the appropriate course of action to dispose of the bomb.

The US Navy EOD team concluded, in conjunction with joint Filipino EOD units, that the bomb was armed and could pose danger to the local community if not properly disposed.

The US Navy EOD team recommended that the bomb be carefully transported to a rock quarry 2.5 km from its initial location where it could be safely detonated.

Over the course of the next two months, the JUSMAG EOD liaison officer, Lt. Jason Cocca, coordinated with the PNP, NAVSOG, and ASCOM EOD units to make preparations for the disposal using locally-procured tools and materials.

On Jan. 28, a four-man US Navy EOD team from EOD mobile unit five assisted the joint Filipino EOD team to safely detonate the WWII-era device.

“[The safe detonation] of this WWII remnant, was a huge success for Butuan City and the Philippines as a whole. Our EOD counterparts were able to protect personnel and property by eliminating an explosive hazard. It’s the quintessence of the EOD mission and our partnership,” Cocca said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=733081

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