Academy cadets blast off with EOD Published July 23, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Air Force Academy cadets visited the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordinance Disposal training grounds July 10 here as part of their ongoing Operation Air Force Third Lieutenant Course. During the visit, the cadets learned the ways the military uses composition four, a type of explosive; ways of tracking it; and how to combat terrorist cells using the substance, as well as its sometimes-strange history. "I read in a Vietnam book that people used to cook with it," said Cadet 3rd Class Doug Parrish. Senior Master Sgt. Joseph Hrezo, 5th CES EOD superintendant, agreed with the cadet saying C4 was indeed used to cook with in Vietnam. However, given advances in heating technology, the use of such a volatile substance in cooking is no longer commonplace in the U.S. military. Sergeant Hrezo went on to talk about the tracking devices held within the confines of C4's composition. "Every C4 mix is loaded with microscopic tracking devices," said Sergeant Hrezo. "We do this so we can keep track of who is buying C4 anywhere in the world. It can be very useful in finding guerrilla groups in the Middle East." Staff Sgt. Michael Burnett, 5th CES EOD journeyman, showed the cadets how similar C4 is in comparison to putty. One can mold the explosive into any shape the job requires. He also explained how C4 will not set off due to friction or shock. The cadets all wondered why C4 explosions seem so big in the movies. "For shots in Hollywood, they use diesel or even coffee creamer to make a huge explosion with very little sound," said Sergeant Hrezo. "A C4 satchel charge of 20 pounds each in the wheel wells of a large truck will flip it over. However, a pound in the closed cab of a truck will make a huge explosion with plenty of noise." Sergeant Burnett gave his opinion on the cadet training program here. "The program gives them an opportunity to see a different career path," he said. Wrapping up their visit here, the cadets talked about their view of the operational Air Force. "People are so nice to other people here, regardless of their rank," said Cadet Parrish. "It is refreshing to see how mission-oriented it is here." "It was great having the opportunity to see what the Air Force is really like," added Cadet 3rd Class Andrew Buttitta. Capt. Nicholas Carter, 91st Missile Maintenance Squadron officer-in-charge of the electro-mechanical section, was the base's coordinator for the cadet program this summer. "Overall, the program has gone well," said Captain Carter. "It has been a jam-packed summer for us here. The cadets have done and seen a lot. Overall, they got to see how well the 5th Bomb Wing and 91st Missile Wing work together to get things done." "It is important for all our future leaders to understand the full spectrum of our support and mission-oriented Airmen," said Lt. Col. Brian May, former 5th CES commander. The cadets left Minot AFB early on the morning of July 11 with a real-world understanding of how the operational Air Force works. Programs like Operation Air Force Third Lieutenant Course equip future service leaders with the skills and hands-on knowledge they will need to succeed in an ever-changing world. [Editor's note: This article is part three of a three-part series highlighting the Operation Air Force Third Lieutenant Course here this summer.]