D-M EOD Airmen take 'tactical pause' to focus on safety

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Members of the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron stood down operations Friday to conduct an Explosive Ordnance Disposal safety day that focused on standard EOD operating procedures, tactics, techniques and on the health and wellness of EOD warriors. 

Friday's safety day comes as more than 1,300 EOD active-duty, Air National Guard and Reserve Airmen Air Force wide take a "tactical pause" to review basic safety fundamentals. 

"Safety is paramount in our line of business," said Lt. Col. Charles Perham, the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron Commander. "Readiness, safety, and leadership at every level are our priorities in CE. We take great care in ensuring safety is integrated into our culture, particularly in the EOD community. I'm thankful the Air Force Civil Engineer decided we should take an entire day and devote it to the safety of our EOD Airmen and how we do business. It was time very well spent." 

EOD Airmen are responsible for supervising and managing explosive ordnance disposal operations, which include locating, identifying, disarming, neutralizing, and disposing of hazardous explosives and criminal and terrorist devices. 

The topics discussed during Friday's safety day included the review of theater standard operating procedures, lessons learned, Air Force Central Command Operating Instructions, and current threat intelligence. The discussions also centered on the mental health and well being of EOD Airmen focusing on Traumatic Brain Injury and its signs, symptoms, and the screening and evaluation processes; battlefield hazards, post traumatic stress disorders; and on pre and post deployment programs that prepare Airmen and their family for military deployments. 

"The guided discussion really made this safety day a success because it allowed us to take a full day to review how safety is affecting EOD Airmen," said Staff Sgt Andrew LeBeau, a 355TH CE EOD Craftsman. "We had a great deal of time to reflect on how EOD Airmen are being impacted daily outside the wire which is a reminder of why safety is so important." 

Since 2005 EOD Airmen have experienced eight combat related deaths, six while performing EOD procedures. In addition, 35 injuries with five classified as serious where Airmen lost a limb or more. In the joint service community of approximately 4,000 EOD personnel, there have been a total of 60 combat deaths and 160 injuries prompting the need for an Air Force wide EOD safety day.