Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa and nine of its tenant commands completed the biannual explosives safety inspection (ESI) Sept. 18.

The ESI was held Sept. 15-18 and conducted by the Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity (NOSSA). An outstanding score of 100 percent on inventory accuracy and eight minor findings were noted for each activity here.

All aspects of ammunition handling were inspected in accordance with ammunition handling standard operating procedures.

Programs inspected included ammunition handling administration, qualifications and certifications, inventory management, transportation, assembly, and storage.

Mishandling ammunition can be devastating when dealing with missiles that can cost more than $250,000 or grenades that could easily end up in the hands of our adversaries.

"Ammunition is very unforgiving, the rules, qualification and certification programs, and standard operating procedures were written in blood," said Kordeen Kor, Commander, Navy Region Japan Regional Safety Program director.

NAF Misawa and its tenant commands have been without an ESO since June 2014. Kor and Brian Shaw, Commander Fleet Activities Okinawa explosives safety officer (ESO), spent extensive amounts of time during technical assistance visits and other means of communication ensuring the Navy commands here were practicing safe ammunition handling.

Kor and Shaw reviewed all applicable programs, provided feedback, trained, and briefed leadership on their findings during annual Explosives Safety Self-Assessments (ESSA). The misinterpretation of instructions and personnel turnovers were two common problems found.

"The activities took Kordeen and Brian's advice and acted on it... the Sailors here were wonderful professionals who soaked up the information like sponges," said Darleen Griffin, NOSSA explosives safety specialist and ESI team leader.

Misawa's Navy commands improved their ESI score with 50 percent less minor finding compared to 2012.

"Navy commands need to be able to expend ordnance as intended and directed by higher authority. If weapons aren't ready, the mission will not be successful," said Shaw.