Co-operation with the Calgary Police Services
May 4, 2021 - Cpl Sybian McKay
From March 22 to 25, 3rd Canadian Division Support Group Detachment Wainwright Logistics Support Company Ammunition Platoon’s (Ammo Pl) Master Warrant Officer Bradley Hughes, Corporal Sebastien Arsenault and Cpl Sybian McKay provided expert counsel to the Calgary Police Services (CPS) during their explosive theory and disposal lessons, as well as learning about commercial explosives used in the mining and oilfield industries.
The members got to observe some CPS equipment demonstrations with CPS explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robot (tEODor), the bomb suit, disruptors (neutrex), x-ray machines and hydra jets. As well as learning along with the CPS processes, Ammo Pl provided a brief on military ordinance, specifically military ordinance identification.
Caption
L-R: Master Warrant Officer Bradley Hughes, Corporal Sybian McKay and Cpl Sebastien Arsenault
Photo by Sgt Nathan Masse-Foster
In addition to a classroom day, Ammo Pl spent a day on the range where they got to see the similarities and differences in disposal methods, as well as demonstrations of the equipment CPS uses, such as the power of a detonator on a whole chicken (not live); det cord and a shape charge on a propane tank; hydra jets vs vehicles; tannerite vs a vehicle; Explosive Cutting Tape (ECT) charges; and 20mm neutrex on a pipe bomb and more.
Overall the experience was extremely educational as well as a lot of fun. It was interesting to see all of the similarities in how the CPS does things in regards to EOD/improvised explosive device disposal. Ammo Pl members came away from the experience with new knowledge and a new drive for our work as Ammunition Technicians (Ammo Techs).
In the future, Ammo Pl hope to be able to continue co-operation like this with the police to maintain a good working relationship, as well as to offer other Ammo Techs the opportunity to learn from the wider ammo community.