D-M EOD flight holds fourth-annual EOD Safety Day

  • Published
  • By Capt. Paul Boriack
  • 355th Civil Engineer Squadron exlosive ordnance disposal flight commander
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Each and every day, our deployed explosive ordnance disposal Airmen are conducting mounted and dismounted operations in arduous terrain and in non-permissive environments to defeat the enemy's weapon of choice, the improvised explosive device.
 
Since 2005, the Air Force has lost 17 EOD Airmen in such combat operations. An additional 14 have been seriously injured and more than 94 EOD Airmen have received one or more Purple Hearts.

This ever-changing combat environment demands that EOD units set aside time to take a tactical pause and focus on family readiness, safety, tactics, techniques and procedures. That is exactly what the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron's EOD Flight accomplished Nov. 17 as they took part in the fourth-annual Air Force-wide EOD Safety Day.

The flight began the Safety Day as normal with physical training by completing the CrossFit workout UFC fighter B.J. Penn made famous, "Fight Gone Bad." In addition to the EOD flight members, Lt. Col. Laurie Richter, 355th CES commander, and Chaplain (Capt.) Dan Warf took part in this grueling, yet rewarding workout.

After three rounds of one-minute sets of wall ball shots, sumo-deadlift high pulls, box jumps, push presses and rowing for calories, the flight was ready to move into the rest of the day's activities.

The flight started the morning of resiliency training by watching the A7C Centerline Video prepared specifically for the 2011 EOD Safety Day by Major General Timothy Byers, U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.

The video was followed by a presentation and discussion on post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury given by Staff Sgt. Amanda Darrah from the 355th Medical Operations Squadron's mental health flight. She focused on how to deal with the signs and symptoms of combat stress and how to recognize, evaluate and treat other personnel after traumatic brain Injury incidents which are a common occurrence in the EOD career field. Flight members were provided with several resources that both they and their family members could utilize in dealing with these significant issues.

Afterwards, Chaplain Warf led flight members through a presentation and discussion on resiliency and readiness specific to the EOD career field and focused on the combat operations EOD techs are involved in each and every day. The Chaplain also informed the flight members on a myriad of available resources including counseling services, social activities, and support for families.

The afternoon portion of the safety day was dedicated to concentrating on safety topics specific to EOD operations. The flight reviewed and discussed the classified storyboards involving military EOD techs either killed or wounded during EOD operations in Afghanistan during the past 12 months.

The flight thoroughly reviewed the newest and most common enemy IED TTPs and the friendly EOD TTPs that can safely mitigate those explosive hazards.

The IED fight is a constant cat-and-mouse game where EOD technicians must constantly adapt their procedures to the ever-changing enemy procedures in order to safe successful during their operations.

It is extremely unfortunate that some of these operations end with EOD technicians being killed or severely wounded, but thoroughly reviewing these reports helps ensure that other EOD technicians learn from these events and are better prepared for future operations

We will never forget the service and sacrifice of our fallen EOD brothers and sisters.