Explosions prepare Airmen for inspection Published Oct. 16, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Derek VanHorn 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal members from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., traveled here to conduct Ground Burst Simulator and smoke grenade training for base personnel in preparation for an upcoming Readiness Inspection scheduled for next May. Two instructors, Tech. Sgt. Michael Burnett and Staff Sgt. Haven Cherry of the 5th Civil Engineering Squadron, made the 3 ½ hour drive to Grand Forks Oct. 16 and kicked off training with Burnett leading a briefing covering safety and operation instructions involving the M-18 smoke grenade and the M115A2 GBS. Following the brief, the eight participants - mostly Exercise Evaluation Team members for the base's planned inspection -- headed over to Building 517 on base to execute demolitions where each member detonated both smoke grenades and GBS devices. Burnett, NCO in-charge of EOD quality assurance with the 5th CES, said he and his team provide this type of training on average about once a month, mostly for inspection preparation and pre-deployment training. "This hands-on training provides the real time feel of artillery attacks as opposed to someone yelling 'bang' and reacting to that," Burnett said. With EET members legally qualified on these two devices, base personnel can expect a heightened sense of realism come exercise time, said Master Sgt. William Emmons, 319th Air Base Wing weapons safety manager, who coordinated the training here.