The Big Bang

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ebony Nichols
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB La --  Born from the tragedy of 9-11, the Transportation Security Administration is responsible for screening all passengers and luggage before they board any aircraft. The screeners send passengers bags through an x-ray machine to ensure no prohibited or dangerous items are put on board the aircraft. 

Chief Master Sgt. Martin Wright, 917th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight superintendent and bomb appraisal officer for Shreveport Regional Airport, conducted a TSA explosive safety training demonstration here Saturday, July 12, for a group of airport transportation security officers. 

Staring at an x-ray screen at the airport, and watching bag after bag of shoes, laptops, clothes and other items that most people travel with can get a bit mundane. It is easy to become lackadaisical and run the bags through the machine without searching for any anomalies. 

The dangers became all too real for the TSOs who attended the demo after they witnessed the damage a one and a half block of C-4 can cause. 

Typical training for the TSOs includes visual aids in explosive detection. Saturday's demo took them a step further, offering a hands-on approach that is otherwise unavailable. 

"Knowing what improvised explosive devices are capable of is one thing, but seeing firsthand the power they hold, may keep the TSO more vigilant when screening luggage," said Chief Wright. "I wanted the TSOs to be able to associate the power of explosives with their jobs, and how important it is to identify potential threats." 

The attending TSOs had the opportunity to peruse a vast array of IED components, land mines, ammunition, grenades, and other hazardous material. Observing and touching these prohibited items could prove helpful in familiarization and recognition of these items when screening luggage, according to Chief Wright. Screeners were eager to participate. 

"After six years with TSA and learning about IED components, seeing pictures is one thing, but seeing the actual damage is fascinating," said Glenn Gappo, Shreveport Regional Airport TSO. "Being prior Air Force and stationed in the Middle East, I saw IEDs firsthand, but never knew what would happen after discovery and action." 

"I want a firsthand look at what we're dealing with on a daily basis," said Kianca Birdlow, Shreveport Regional Airport TSO. "I need extensive knowledge of explosives: what they do, and what they look like. 

Once the officers browsed the museum of IED components and visualized what they may look like sliding through the x-ray machine, the group went to the range for various IED and initiator demonstrations. 

Standing 300 feet away from each demonstration, the TSOs were able to detonate several of the IEDs. With each demonstration, they were asked to imagine the powerful force from the detonations happening at the airport or on board an aircraft. The results would be catastrophic, which makes complacency impossible and vigilance paramount.
The final demonstration was a one and three quarter pound block of C4 detonated by remote control. That thunderous boom left all in attendance with looks of awe and 
renewed how valuable the training had been. 

"I get tired of reading about them (IEDs) and seeing pictures," said Tracy Nelson, Shreveport Regional Airport TSO. "Being able to actually touch it (components) and see what it can really do taught me much more than a book could."