Sappers helping Nauru to be safe
A team of ADF explosives experts worked with Government of Nauru authorities to dispose of two World War 2-era unexploded ordnance (UXO) recently discovered in a residential area.
CAPTION: Sergeant Matthew Watson and Sapper Daniel Almer from 20th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron prepare an unexploded ordnance for disposal during Operation Render Safe 25-B Nauru. Story by Lieutenant Emma Anderson. Photo by Sergeant Samuel Miller.
Led by Sergeant Matthew Watson, of the 20th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron (20 EOD Sqn), the contingent, including explosive ordnance disposal technicians and an advanced medical technician, deployed to Nauru on 24 March for the task.
“We identified two UXO – five-inch projectiles – one of which posed a significant risk to the community,” Sergeant Watson said.
“There was a high possibility that, if left in place, the UXO would function.
“In a residential area, this would be devastating.”
Sergeant Watson said 20 EOD Sqn was always ready to respond to support requests from partners in the South Pacific under Operation Render Safe.
“We were able to get our people here, in country, within three days,” Sergeant Watson said.
“That’s because we always have members online, ready to deploy for a short-notice disposal tasking like this.
“It’s important for the ADF to respond to requests like this because this is where people live – and they can’t live here with an explosive hazard right at their front door.
“We train day in and day out to do this.
“To be able to put that training into practice to help our Pacific partners is extremely satisfying.”
Operation Render Safe is the ADF-led commitment to removing the danger posed by explosive remnants of war in Pacific countries.
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