EOD encourages UXO safety, vigilance Published Nov. 17, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. Darnell T. Cannady 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. forces started bombing Okinawa in October 1944 during the invasion of Okinawa in World War II. Out of the countless ordnance fired onto the island of Okinawa, some did not explode and has remained dormant in the Earth for years. Because there is a chance of running into unexploded ordnance while living here on island, there are precautionary steps that should be followed. "U.S. Forces and the people of Okinawa work and live on a WWII battlefield," said Senior Master Sgt. Loren Green, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight chief. "With an estimated 1 million UXOs still in and around the island, the remnants of the battle exist around all of us each and every day." The best course of action if a UXO is found is to mark the area and call the proper authorities. "My teams are trained to handle and dispose of UXOs while simultaneously limiting any potential dangers to the base community or local populace," said Green. "Simply put, there is absolutely no reason to risk your life, or the lives of your friends and family, by handling UXOs." Another element to keep in mind is backing away and maintaining distance. "Most UXOs are extremely sensitive to Electromagnetic Radiation. Electronic devices such as cell phones, pagers, and Palm Pilots should not be used around UXOs," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Keeter, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team leader. "After marking the site, back at least 100 feet away from the area first, and then report." One of the most important things to remember is to never touch or disturb an UXO. "The amount of deterioration of UXOs on the island varies widely, and many are hazardous items with sensitive fusing that have been in the ground for 70 years," said Keeter. The EOD units on the island serve as first responders to UXO incidents. They respond immediately to any UXO call and aim to rectify the site as soon as practical. Keep in mind that response times are aided when the UXO is properly reported, the individual provides contact information to the command post and remains at the scene for questioning upon EOD's arrival. Upon arrival, the responding EOD team will use a variety of tools and techniques to remove the hazard while mitigating any threat to the public and infrastructure in the area. All UXOs located on-base are the responsibility of Okinawa's U.S. forces and you should contact the following EOD units based on the location of the UXO: · The 18th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight (18 CES/CED) located on Kadena AB is responsible for UXO response on all Army and Air Force installations and can be contacted through the Kadena Command Post, 634-1800. · If a UXO is encountered on a Navy or Marine Corps installation, contact either Camp Foster or Camp Hansen Provost Marshall Office to request EOD assistance. · Contact the Japanese police if a UXO is found off base. The Japanese Self Defense Force has an EOD program that protects the local population when instances are reported off base. With all reports, make sure to include your name, telephone number and provide a brief description of the item in question. "The important thing to remember here is not to hesitate to call any of the agencies for UXOs found on or off base," Keeter said. "Once the incident is reported, the tasking authorities can determine the unit responsible for response." Pay attention to the surrounding areas and know what to do if one is discovered. "The island is teeming with EOD technicians, and we all love doing our job," Keeter said. "If you choose to ignore warnings and handle UXOs, it could be the last bad decision you ever make."