EOD Airmen, families take breather from daily grind

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Airmen of the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team took a day off of the daily grind Nov. 7 to focus on lessons learned in the field, to better familiarize themselves with those base services available to help ease their high operations tempo career field and to spend time with their families.

The event was part of an Air Force-wide EOD Safety Day, directed by leadership in response to the increased EOD operations tempo and high number of EOD Airmen killed and wounded since the start of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom.

"The U.S. Air Force EOD program continues to evolve as our Airmen become more ground combat oriented," said Maj. Gen. Del Eulberg, Air Force Civil Engineer, in a letter to CE and EOD commanders. "...the operations tempo for our EOD personnel has continued to increase since the start of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Many of our Airmen are experiencing 1:1 dwell (meaning six months deployed/six months home) with many on their third or fourth combat tours. 

"These factors have driven the need for us to take a 'tactical pause' to focus on standard operating procedures; tactics, techniques, procedures; and the health of our EOD warriors."

Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Jessup, 31st CES EOD flight chief, said the Aviano flight is no exception to this Air Force-wide EOD high operations tempo as it continues to have anywhere between a quarter to half of its 24 assigned Airmen deployed or on temporary duty at any given time.

"Our technical and master sergeants billets are especially critically tasked," said Chief Jessup. "It's amazing what these brave and talented Airmen are doing out there - continuously being called upon and never wavering in their efforts."

In 2007, members of the 31st CES EOD flight participated in more than 1,500 "outside the wire" missions, recovered more than 76,500 munitions and destroyed about 25,000 pounds of unexploded ordnance and 816 improvised explosive devices.

Unit members were also awarded 11 Air Force Combat Action Medals, two Defense Meritorious Service Medals, four Joint Service Commendation Medals and six Army Commendation Medals since January 2007.

Master Sgt. Michael Hunter, 31st CES EOD resources NCO in charge, recently returned from a six month deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq, which was his third deployment in the last four years.

"Its eye-opening seeing how others live in the world," Sergeant Hunter said about his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. "Things are hard in those parts of the world and survival is at the forefront. Things are getting better in some aspects though as they begin to take on more responsibilities such as their own EOD teams."

Sergeant Hunter's wife, Justine, said that while her husband's deployments have not always been easy for her and their children, she understands the importance of what he does in the field.

"I just take it day by day and rely on the great support system I have here on base," she said. "Knowing how dangerous his job is, I find it best he not tell me what he does while he's there during our phone calls and just appreciate him when he returns. It's also nice to know that he's retiring next summer (after 25 years of service)."

During the EOD Safety Day, flight members gathered for a classified briefing to discuss operating procedures, tactics and techniques that have been successful in the field as well as lessons learned from OIF and OEF.

Afterward, families joined the Airmen for a barbecue where they were also given the opportunity to try on a bomb suit and operate one of the newest bomb handling robots, the Andros HD-1, and the heavier F-6 robotic platform that EOD Airmen use in the field. The Airmen also conducted an explosives demonstration for the families, demonstrating some of the different types of explosive tools and procedures.

Staff Sgt. John Eaton, who also recently returned from a deployment to Iraq in October, said the event was a great way for his wife and the other EOD spouses and children to come together and learn a little more about what the EOD flight is doing downrange as well as a way to get to know one another better.

"It was a great way for our families to hang out and see some of the toys we use downrange," said the 11-year Air Force and EOD veteran. Sergeant Eaton's deployment experience includes trips to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Kyrgyzstan.

"What I like most about the EOD career field is its diversity," said Sergeant Eaton. "No two days are the same."

The Safety Day events closed with briefings from personnel from the base chapel, Airman and Family Readiness Flight, casualty assistance advisor, key spouses and mental health representatives covering such topics as combat-related stress, suicide prevention and alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment.

"Our Airmen and their families have a lot to deal with during deployments, which is why it is so important to give them a refresher as to the services available to them on base," said Chief Jessup. "We (EOD leadership) also wanted to remind them that their EOD family is here for them no matter what the issue."

Currently there are nine EOD Airmen deployed and TDY with several more postured to deploy in the upcoming cycle.