WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Base officials are accepting public comment on the proposed construction and operation of a range to train Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel here.

"It will be used for the proficiency training of EOD personnel and also for any emergency detonations of military munitions coming from communities around Wright-Patt," said Raymond Baker, chief of the quality branch with the 88th Air Base Wing's Environmental Management Division.

A draft Environmental Assessment evaluated four candidate locations on base for the training area. The proposed Skeel Avenue site is located on the northern boundary of Huffman Prairie in Area C of the base, just south of the existing airfield Hazardous Cargo Pads. Three alternative locations are also identified.

The planned construction is relatively simple and would include a 6-foot tall concrete wall barrier around the detonation area - where blocks of C-4 explosive ranging from 1 ¼ up to 5 pounds would be periodically detonated - and a safety clear zone extending out 500 feet, secured by fencing, Baker said.

Officials noted although Wright-Patterson has had either an Air Force or Army EOD capability for more than 40 years, the current EOD Flight has been stationed at the base since September 2007 and does not have a dedicated range to conduct Air Force-required proficiency training. At a temporary training area on base EOD specialists are currently limited to using the explosive equivalent of .50 caliber or 12-gauge shot gun cartridges, said Tech. Sgt. Micah Jobe, an EOD team leader with the 88 Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate

The new range will provide vital proficiency training for new and experienced EOD personnel who frequently deploy in support of joint warfighters, said Jobe. Wright-Patterson's EOD unit is currently authorized 17 Airmen, who typically deploy for six-month periods to places like Iraq and Afghanistan, where Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs are the number one killer of U.S. and coalition forces.

"This is a very perishable skill," said Jobe of the explosives training and techniques used by EOD personnel.  He added training is constantly being refined in response to the adaptation and creativity of insurgents. 

"This training ensures we stay safe and proficient with the explosives we use to disarm IEDs. It helps save lives, Jobe said.

According to the Environmental Assessment, training at the range could occur three days per week, up to eight hours per day. Most of the time involved is setting up and training with the explosive materials. The actual detonation takes less than a second.

The maximum number of detonations that would occur in a training day is one per hour or a total of eight, although training more typically would include just one detonation per week, Jobe said.

The range would also be used for emergency disposal of military ordnance found in the community. The Wright-Patterson EOD team's area of responsibility includes the local area and surrounding states and they have responded to some 40 calls for support from neighboring areas to dispose of "souvenirs" from previous conflicts, often found in the garages or basements of aging veterans.

The public is invited to review the draft Environmental Assessment and draft Finding of No Significant Impact/Finding of No Practicable Alternative at the Paul Laurence Dunbar Library, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, Ohio.

Written comments and inquiries on the draft EA and FONSI/FONPA should be directed to:

Mr. Raymond Baker
88 ABW/CEVY
1450 Littrell Road
Wright-Patterson AFB Ohio 45433-5209
(937) 257-0177