USAF EOD 1999 |
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1999 |
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USAF
EOD NEWS
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NCO nets big bucks for idea
Hodges, a former member of the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, was presented a $10,000 check last month for saving the Air Force more than $2 million through an suggestion to the Innovative Development through Employee Awareness, or IDEA program. Now assigned to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Civil Engineer directorate at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Hodges initially made the suggestion to Air Force officials regarding a "ruggedized" laptop computer more than three years ago. "In 1996, all EOD units in the Air Force were using a special laptop computer that was supposed to be 'field-ready,'" said the 16-year Air Force veteran. "It was the same computer that Army EOD units used when they were out in the field." The computers, known as V2LCs, were designed for the rugged conditions that EOD units usually work in. "The V2LCs come in a big metal suitcase, and are supposed to be waterproof, mud-proof and spring-loaded for use under extreme conditions," said Hodges. "The only problem was they still had openings for dirt to get into their components, like disk slots and the space for the hard drive storage." They were also expensive, costing $33,000 each, and "in the long run, they broke anyway," Hodges added. Realizing he could buy a laptop computer capable of doing the same job and a complete back-up computer for less than half the cost of one V2LC, Hodges made the suggestion to the Air Force. Using an Air Force Form 1000, Hodges sent his submission to the IDEA Program and was surprised to get a reply a few months later. "Initially, the Air Force said that implementation of my idea was optional," said Hodges, who has spent his entire career in the EOD career field. "I couldn't understand why, with the obvious savings, it would be optional." Not to be discouraged, Hodges once again submitted his recommendation to the Air Force, carefully pointing out the substantial cost savings. While his suggestion was under re-evaluation, another memo was issued pointing out that all V2LCs were not year 2000 compliant. All the computers needed to be replaced. "That's when the Air Force made my suggestion mandatory," said Hodges. "It made sense." The Air Force figured Hodges' suggestion saved the government about $2.4 million, and awarded him $10,000 in return. "I was surprised the amount was for so much," said the Talladega, Ala., native. "To be honest, if the Air Force had given me a check for $2,000, I would've been thrilled." (Courtesy of USAFE News Service) |
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| EOD unit helps local
community dispose of dynamite Released: 5 Nov 1999
A six-person team was dispatched after a city worker discovered the hazardous material while clearing out a building. The team was supplemented in Tularosa by other base officials and local fire, law enforcement and city officials. "When we arrived, we noted the hazardous material was in a very old box sitting precariously on a ceiling rafter, about 10 feet off the ground," said Staff Sgt. James Vickery, the team's chief. Vickery said the team had a difficult time identifying the material because of age and deterioration. The box containing the dynamite was falling apart, eroded over time by the nitroglycerin-based chemicals seeping through the box, the team chief said. The box had 1924 markings on the side. However, definite manufacturer's data only dated back to 1940. The team examined one of the sticks that had been removed from the box by a city worker to assist in identifying the substance. EOD members Staff Sgt. Scott Barclay and Senior Airman Heath Mooney removed the stick from the building using an EOD robot while wearing bomb suits designed to protect personnel from blast and fragmentation injuries. Meanwhile, Senior Airmen Brad Cowart and Jeff Morin, EOD unit members back at the base, contacted the original manufacturer and researched known hazardous substances in technical manuals and books. The two compiled detailed information on damage estimates and evacuation distances. After it was determined that the substance should be disposed of in place, team members Staff Sgt. Ronald Wilson, Senior Airman Stephen Hollar and Airman 1st Class Jacob Campbell constructed a containment box, called a coffer dam, and used an incendiary composite, thermite, to dispose of the dynamite. "I have to give this team a lot
of credit," said Vickery. "Their innovation and quick thinking
generated a multitude of ideas on how to support and dispose of the
material in a very safe manner." (Courtesy of Air Combat Command
News Service) |
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Hurlburt Field EOD responds to bomb scare
The incident developed when a man robbed Pensacola's First National Bank. The suspect demanded money and said the black bag he was carrying held a bomb. Bank officials gave him an undisclosed amount of money, and he then ran out of the bank to a nearby hardware store. At the store, the suspect headed for the men's bathroom. He changed clothes and tried to shave his beard to disguise himself. Pensacola police waited outside the store and apprehended the suspect as he tried to leave. The suspect left the black bag inside the restroom. A bomb-sniffing dog from the Pensacola police department checked out the bag and indicated there was something suspicious inside. That's when authorities called the EOD professionals here. "Any time we have packages of a suspicious nature, we call Hurlburt," said Lt. Bob Cotita, Pensacola Police Department spokesman. Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., EOD respond to bomb scares in the local community. Hurlburt is responsible for incidents west and north of Hurlburt's main gate, said Tech. Sgt. Dave Ayers. Ayers was the EOD on-scene commander during the bomb scare. The unit responds to about one call per month from the local community, he said. When Ayers learned of the incident, he began organizing the team to respond. Team members must be prepared for the worst possible situation, he said. They determine the threat and plan their initial actions before they even reach the scene. "We knew there were going to be a lot of media, and a lot of other people around the area," Ayers said. "In that type of situation, it's very hard to keep a cordon and keep people out of the area." Arriving at the scene, the team went into action. Although the suspect had by this time said there were no explosives in the bag, because of the bomb dog's reaction, EOD members were especially cautious. An X-ray revealed some, but not all of the contents of the bag, said Staff Sgt. Eric Semmler, EOD team chief. The airmen still couldn't say for certain if there was an explosive device inside. At that point, there was nothing to do but examine the contents of the bag. Rather than risk a person manually handling the bag, the team used a device made of ropes and pulleys to remotely examine the items inside. No explosives were found. The contents included several emergency flares, wrapped together to look like dynamite, and a candle wick, positioned to look like a fuse. "Our guys did a very good job," Ayers said. "Their training showed. They showed no hesitation about what they should do." Hurlburt Field's EOD professionals receive
eight months of technical training at Eglin's joint explosive ordnance
disposal school. Additionally, the EOD flight here devotes three days
out of each week to training, Ayers said. |
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 1999-04-08 |
Airman 1st Class Kim Zenner demonstrates how to operate the explosive ordnance disposal robot. Zenner and other civil engineers at Cervia Air Base support the flying missions here. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Greg Suhay) Civil engineers, firefighters supporting Cervia mission by Senior Master Sgt. Dale Warman CERVIA AIR BASE, Italy (AFPN) -- The civil engineers of Cervia Air Base, Italy, witnessed history in the making March 24, the first night of NATO combat operations in Yugoslavia. They weren't spectators on the flightline, but the engineers just happened to spend the night next to the runway, installing a barrier system, which could be used to stop a crippled aircraft landing here. "We worked all night and saw the missions launch and return," said Chief Master Sgt. Kirk Stoye, who leads the CE contingent here. Being so close to the runway, they were able to see some jets return without external fuel tanks and with several missiles gone. They later learned that 493rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilots had scored two MiG-29 shoot-downs that first night. The unit belongs to the 48th Fighter Wing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. The chief and his crew, part of the 48th Expeditionary Logistics Squadron, have grown accustomed to working on and near the flightline, directly supporting the F-15C flying mission. "CE deploys to support bare-base contingency operations," he said. "Here the mission is primarily to provide systems support for the flying mission, vs. people support such as tent cities." The engineers here include barrier maintenance, firefighters, explosive ordnance disposal, and an airfield lighting team. The team spent one of its first weekends here installing airfield lighting to provide pilots a visual indication of the glide-slope to the runway, letting them see if their approach is too high or too low. Airmen with the barrier maintenance crew say they take the job very seriously, especially in the deployed environment. "We're actually supporting a combat mission," said Tech. Sgt. Larry Payte. "The responsibility is much greater," than in peacetime. Payte's crew performs daily, weekly and monthly inspections to ensure the system is reliable. Four Air Force firefighters here serve primarily in a liaison role with Italian firefighters and respond to U.S. emergencies when the need arises. They also bring special skills and knowledge of the F-15C to the Italian base. "We've established procedures with the Italians so we all know what we're doing," said Staff Sgt. Richard Galtieri, whose command of the Italian language is critical for disaster response. "Our skills (include) hazardous materials collection, emergency medical technician (and) firefighter." The firefighters work 24-hour shifts, as do airmen in the EOD flight. "EOD is really a reactionary force -- waiting for something to happen," said Tech. Sgt. Ken Pettibone. They have been called upon to respond to hung flares on the F-15Cs and are prepared to deal with suspicious packages. "We take the flares out of the aircraft and hold them for safe disposal," Pettibone said. "We have equipment to deal with any munitions problems on the aircraft." Since many of the CE capabilities are here for "what-if" situations, the engineers are never far from the action. "Much of it is safety-related," Stoye added. "We hope we never have to use it, but it's a sense of security knowing it's here." (Courtesy of U.S. Air Forces in Europe News Service) |
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Allied Force
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Staff Sgt. Mike Werner (top left) supervises as Airman 1st Class Joe Deslaurieurs creates a hole in C4 explosives for insertion of a blasting cap. The two explosive ordnance disposal personnel are in the process of using explosives to remove the charges from jammed 30mm shells inside an A-10 gattling gun. The gun jammed while flying a combat mission over Kosovo and subsequently had to be destroyed to "safe" the weapon. The airmen are deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Italy and assigned to the 40thAir Expeditionary Group, Gioia del Colle Air Base, Italy. The 40th is comprised of A-10 aircraft and support personnel from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany and Pope Air Force Base, N.C. The A-10 aircraft are participating in Operation Allied Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt Blake R. Borsic) |
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Preliminary course screens explosive ordnance disposal candidates Released: 18 Mar 1999 Teaching potential students everything from ordnance familiarization to putting on a chemical suit properly, the six-day preliminary course is designed to screen EOD candidates for entry into the seven-month tech school at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. "The preliminary course is like a buffet line," Sterling said. "We give them a taste of just a few of the items that compromise EOD." Because the tech school self-elimination rate was high and costing the Air Force money, a preliminary course was designed and implemented several years ago to screen recruits before they were shipped to Eglin and money was spent on their training. Part of the 342nd Training Squadron's Combat Training Flight, the EOD preliminary course is staffed with EOD members who know the job, its dangers and what type of person the career field demands. "EOD is not for everyone," said Senior Airman Chip Fudala, a member of the EOD preliminary team. "We are looking for someone who is disciplined, motivated, intelligent and able to work with their hands." EOD members are tasked with the safe disposal of bombs and other ordnance, including nuclear and chemical weapons, on Air Force facilities. They also support the Secret Service and work with civilian law enforcement agencies on occasion. Because of the nature of the job, the EOD tech school is one of the hardest in the Air Force. Recruits go through seven months of training, including reconnaissance work and becoming familiar with the various types of munitions and fuses and how they are put together. The Lackland preliminary course skims the surface of that training, letting recruits know a little about what they will be dealing with. As part of the screening process, students get into chemical suits and do some light exercises for a few minutes in an effort to see how they perform in the suits under physical stress. "The chemical suits are used when they are dealing with leaking munitions," Sterling said. "We put them through a little stress, a little light exercise, to see how they do. We have to make sure they aren't claustrophobic and that they can work in a restricted environment." The recruits also spend some time detonating high explosives in a controlled setting. "We want them to get a feel for what they'll be doing out in the field," Sterling said. "We need to make sure they aren't nervous around explosives." Candidates also participate in a reconnaissance exercise, where they take measurements and make detailed drawings of "unknown" munitions, getting all the information they can about the item before attempting to identify it through a classified computer publication system. During the preliminary course, students are tested after each daily section and then undergo a comprehensive test at the end of the course. Following the test, recruits undergo review, where they are evaluated using the "whole person" concept. The attrition rate is high, roughly 50 percent, but it is necessary to find the right candidate for the job. "It may seem high," Sterling said. "But that is the reason we are here -- to ensure only the best get into EOD." (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service) |
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Senior Airman Dan Arrendale, an explosive ordnance disposal journeyman, shows Dan McCarey, a Robinson High School student, the interior workings of a military vehicle. (Photo by Airman 1st Class Chantala Vongdara) MacDill people 'reach out' to local youth by Senior Airman M. Davis MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- While most high school students learn the three "R's" every day -- reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic -- some local students here are getting a dose of an additional "R": reality. Robinson High School juniors are participating in the "Reach Out" program at MacDill, which gives them the opportunity to shadow MacDill military people to learn about their jobs. The three-phase program started in October, when the 6th Air Refueling Wing teamed up with Robinson to provide job shadowing opportunities to juniors, said Dr. Sandy Bunkin, school principal. "In Phase I of the program, we wanted to give students a chance to explore different jobs -- medical, explosive ordnance disposal, photography, aircraft pilot, fire fighting and journalism," she explained. "The students spent five hours, one day a week, in the specific job areas. After a two-month period, the students chose areas to specialize in." Twenty-one students were chosen to participate in Phase II of the program, which takes place January through March. "To participate in the program, students were tasked to get three teacher recommendations and write an essay explaining why they should be chosen for the program," Bunkin said. "From the applicants, we chose 21 students to participate in Phase II." Wing members will spend one-on-one time with the 21 students, giving them insight into their particular jobs. "I love teaching people about what I do for a living," said Senior Airman Dan Arrendale, an explosive ordnance disposal journeyman. "I try to show them the job, but I also focus on the safety, as well." The program also shows the high school juniors how military jobs mirror civilian jobs, Arrendale said. "Many high school students think military life is like basic training every day," he said. "This is a great way to show them how professionally we do our jobs on a daily basis." Danny Dahlback is learning more about EOD with every visit. "I think the EOD is an interesting career," said the 17-year-old. "They have a lot of cool equipment." Dahlback said he wouldn't worry about the hazard of disarming explosive ordnance for a living. "The danger of the job wouldn't bother me," he said. "The outcome of saving people's lives would outweigh the risks." Dahlback and other students will participate in the MacDill Summer Hire Program, which completes Phase III. Students will work in different areas of the base during the summer months, which gives them experience and cash for the next school year. (Courtesy of Air Mobility Command News Service) |
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