Explosive ordnance disposal safety day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dan Gage
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, WYO. --  Explosive ordnance disposal team members across Air Force Global Strike Command and here at F. E. Warren will take part in their annual EOD safety day today.

In the last year, Air Force EOD members have responded to approximately 1,300 improvised explosive devices, 850 unexploded ordnance neutralizations and 800 route clearance operations according to statistics provided by the Air Force.

The Air Force mandated the down day recently. This will be the third year EOD shops will take the day to review and learn from the past year.

It's an opportunity to look at case studies from the field and from training here, said Master Sgt. Joshua King, 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, EOD.

"We study specific incidents that resulted in the injury or death of an EOD tech," he added. "We learn from it and ultimately increase our safety and survivability for future operations."

With the large amount of responses EOD handles, EOD members show superior weapons systems expertise relatively low numbers of casualties and serious injuries.

The purpose of the safety day is to see the number of EOD personnel injuries reduced even further.

Warren has 14 EOD members, including two civilians; currently two of those members are deployed.

The numbers for EOD across the Air Force are small; according to Air Force statistics, EOD is only at 74 percent manning, while still filling a large role in overseas operations.

There's an average of five deployments a year from Warren personnel, said Airman 1st Class Brandon Miller, EOD apprentice, 90th CES.

Deployments are six months and with the training, it's around eight to 10, added Airman Miller.

When not on deployment, EOD members train on a daily basis.

The safety day also allows them an opportunity to touch base with different services on base.

Briefings are to be given by medical, the chaplain, Airman & Family Readiness, and Maj. Gen. C. Donald Alston, 20th Air Force commander, is scheduled to visit as well.

"As chaplain for EOD here, and during my most recent deployment to Kandahar, my primary objective is just to 'be' with our warriors," said Maj. Alan Chouest, 90th Missile Wing chaplain. "We accomplish this through intentional and deliberate visitation. In the Chaplain Corps we call it: 'be a visible reminder of the Holy.'"

"As with almost anything in life, it's really all about building relationships," he added. "So that if or when something does happen, members know who their chaplain is and what the chaplain can do for the unit and for family members."

While the safety day is an opportunity for those on base to offer their services, in the end, it's about the members of EOD and the job at hand.

"It's a close community, we watch out for each other," said sergeant King.