Soldier of Fortune Magazine The Journal of Professional Adventurers
by Jose Campos
In the shadow of Japan’s Mount Fuji, Marine explosive ordnance disposal technicians trained with live ordnance, refining the precision stand-off techniques used to safely neutralize dangerous munitions.
The rocket motor lay on the range at Camp Fuji, waiting to be destroyed. Marine explosive ordnance disposal technicians regarded it with the distance, precision and control required to neutralize a live munition safely. Every movement was deliberate, from positioning the team to setting the final shot that would end the threat.
At Camp Fuji, Japan, Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni sharpened those skills during a live demolition training exercise designed to prepare them for the unpredictable realities of the field. Working in rugged terrain beneath the shadow of Mount Fuji, the EOD specialists rehearsed the deliberate process of identifying, handling and neutralizing hazardous munitions while refining techniques that can save lives when seconds matter.
The training centered on the controlled firing of a five-inch rocket motor and the use of the M110 semi-automatic sniper system as part of Stand-off Munitions Disruption, a technique that allows technicians to disable dangerous ordnance from a safe distance rather than approaching it directly. Every movement emphasized precision, patience and discipline over speed.
The dense forests surrounding the Combined Arms Training Center added another layer of complexity. Thick vegetation can conceal hazards, restrict visibility and complicate movement, forcing EOD teams to adapt to conditions similar to those found in many operational environments throughout the Indo-Pacific.
For explosive ordnance disposal units, exercises like these are less about dramatic explosions than about mastering the quiet moments beforehand. Success is measured by careful planning, accurate shot placement and the ability to solve complex problems without unnecessary risk.
Exercises like the Camp Fuji range are where confidence is earned before the mission begins. Every controlled shot, every disrupted munition and every problem solved in the field builds the experience every EOD technician depends on when the stakes are real.
Jose Campos writes frequently for Soldier of Fortune.
