FORT POLK, La. - How the hand grenade was invented is still commonly argued among historians. Was it the Byzantine Empire with their Greek fire in a clay jar or the Chinese with gunpowder packed in a vessel'
The first hand grenade that was safe for the user came about in 1915 by an Englishman named William Mills.
As the hand grenade evolved throughout history, it has proven its use throughout a majority of America's conflicts.
Because an explosive weapon can kill or catch fire, the hand grenade has been adapted for a variety of other uses such as the M-18 smoke, ABC-M25 riot control, M-14 incendiary, and the M-67 fragmentation grenade.
Combat Advisor Class 120 learned the uses of various grenades April 21 at Fort Polk's Range 11 -- the hand grenade assault course.
Training was given by B Company, 2nd Battalion, 353rd Infantry Regiment, 162nd Infantry Brigade.
The course requires students to wear their full combat uniform, identify the different types of hand grenades, explain their capabilities, throw and hit the targets within 5 meters and avoid exposing their bodies for more than three to five seconds.
The students, Soldiers, Sailors and primarily Airmen, said they were excited to run the course because the Air Force does not train in the proper use and employment of hand grenades.
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