From Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs
ASAN, Guam (NNS) -- Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile
Unit 5 Det. Marianas conducted a controlled burn of a Japanese sea mine on the
morning of May 9.
After Joint Region Marianas received a request for assistance
from Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. Eloy S. Inos, six EOD
technicians flew from Guam to Saipan May 7.
Detachment Officer in Charge Lt. Nick Matics and Senior
Chief (EWS) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Warfare Specialist Brian Fitzgerald
investigated the sea mine and identified it as a World War II Japanese Type 93
JB sea mine containing 220 pounds of explosives. Due to the sensitivity of the
mine, Matics and Fitzgerald advised the local government that it was unsafe to
transport and advised local agencies that a controlled burn was the safest
method to deal with the mine in its location.
Over the next 24 hours, the team worked with the support of
the government and local agencies to set up barriers around the mine in order
to protect personnel and property in the event that the explosives detonated
during the operation.
On the night of May 8, after all physical protective
barriers had been set, local law enforcement evacuated the immediate area. At
3:40 a.m. the next morning, the EOD technicians conducted a controlled burn of
the sea mine. After confirming that it was safe to transport, the team prepared
the mine for movement to a predetermined location where they conducted a final
disposal of any remaining hazards.
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