Base officials declare 'All Clear' after successful EOD operation

  • Published
  • 374 Airlift Wing/Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Base officials have declared 'All Clear' after an explosive ordnance disposal team from Yokosuka Naval Station neutralized an unexploded ordnance here at 2:41 p.m., 7 Dec.

The device, a WWII-era bomb with an estimated explosive weight of 110 pounds, was detonated one day after it was discovered at a construction site next to the base fitness center.

"I want to thank all of our emergency responders and the Yokosuka EOD team for their successful efforts to defuse the situation," said Col. Bill Knight, 374 AW vice commander. "Their skillful handling enabled an expedient and safe disposal operation."

Service members from throughout Yokota came together with the EOD team from Yokosuka to resolve the situation.

Airmen from the 374th Security Forces Squadron established and maintained a 500-foot cordon through the night, which then grew to 1,500 feet in preparation for the explosion.

Yokota Civil engineers supported the EOD team, providing materials and manpower in preparation for the EOD operation.

Throughout the incident, Airmen from the 374th Operations and Maintenance Groups worked to maintain Yokota's mission capability continuing airfield and airlift operations around the established safety cordon.

"I want to thank our base personnel for the patience and flexibility they showed throughout this event," Knight said. "I am also grateful for the hard work of our Japanese partners in the North Kanto Defense Bureau and the Yokota Defense Office, who labored to keep our off-base neighbors informed."