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Trainees Have A Blast At MacDill Explosives Demo

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By MICHAEL SPOONEYBARGER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 14, 2009

TAMPA - Bomb technicians, first responders and investigators watched instructors explode cans of paint, ammunition, a watermelon and a tire at MacDill Air Force Base today, all using common household chemicals.

The demonstration was part of a national training initiative with the Department of Homeland Security. About 150 people representing 30 agencies attended.

"This really drives it home," said Don Sachtleben, a consultant with the weapons of mass destruction directorate at FBI headquarters. "To see it, touch it, smell it and get a much better appreciation for it."

The instructors didn't disclose their formulas to reporters watching the demonstration.

"We want to raise awareness but not panic, because this is all manageable," Sachtleben said.

The students found the exercise fascinating. "We are visual people and we can see how truly dangerous it is," Al Rivera, an FBI special agent from Tampa, said.

Reporter By Michael Spooneybarger can be reached at mspooneybarger@tampatrib.com.

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