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XRT-Tinian detonates vintage bombs
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Posted on Apr 20 2005
World War II explosives that were recently collected on Tinian were destroyed at the island’s Pina Quarry Pit last April 15 to ensure the safety of residents.
The detonation was a dramatic end to weeks of careful recovery of World War II ordnance on Tinian by the island’s own Explosive Response Team, or XRT. Team leader and police officer Christopher Pascual, police officer Frank Santos, Ports police officer Ron Pascual, and trainee Ray Pangelinan rounded up the rusty and extremely dangerous bombs left over from the war.
Joining the occasion and assisting on the final day to detonate the ordnance were Naval Station Guam’s EOD Detachment Marianas Lt. Ken Kleinschnittger, Jed Anderson and Matt Christianson. Also in attendance were XRT Program Trainer John Scott, Saipan’s XRT Lt. Pete Leon Guerrero and his men, along with Saipan’s Emergency Management Office and Tinian EMO Joe Camacho. Men and women from Tinian’s DPS Fire and Police were also present.
Precautions taken were above par as fire trucks moistened a wide perimeter around the blast area prior to the igniting of explosives, then with all personnel taking their place in areas away from danger, the first set of ordinance was blown up using C-4 explosives, and a huge plume of smoke and dust was seen as far away as 20 miles.
After making sure that no fire had started because of the explosion, the green light was given for the second and the third.
Joe Charfaurus of the Tinian Mayor’s Office said special thanks go to all the personnel who made the safe collection and destruction of explosives on Tinian possible, especially to Tinian’s XRT group and their trainer John Scott, whose efforts made the island safe for all to enjoy. (PR)
