USAF EOD 2004 |
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2004 |
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USAF
EOD NEWS
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2004 - 12 OUTSTANDING AIRMAN OF THE YEAR Staff Sgt. Aaron D. Davenport Sergeant Davenport, NCO in charge of explosive ordnance disposal equipment for the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron at Luke AFB, Ariz., was recognized for the work he did while deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was credited in his nomination package for eliminating more than 39,000 unexploded ordnance devices in and around Tallil Air Base, 77 hazardous bomblets from a Nasiriyah children’s playground and12 120mm mortar tubes from hidden weapon caches. Back at Luke, Sergeant Davenport was named a
John Levitow Award winner as the top graduate in his Airman Leadership
School class. He also completed nine semester hour toward his EOD Community
College of the Air Force degree. |
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2004-12-20
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EOD Airmen play key role in Balad mission BALAD AIR BASE, IRAQ -- Senior Airman Aaron Johns places a plastic explosive charge under a barrel of contaminated aviation fuel. Airmen Johns is deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Hansen) by Staff Sgt. Ryan Hansen 12/27/2004 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- When the command post announces “Attention on the net, this is Panther, alarm red is in effect,” Airmen here don their protective gear and take cover. The base is under attack. Airmen of the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight work to quickly get the mission back on track. Once alarm red is called, the EOD Airmen must respond to the point of impact to see if the munition detonated or if it needs to be disarmed or destroyed. “We get to do here what we’ve actually been trained to do,” said Chief Master Sgt. Mike Bernard, EOD flight chief, who is deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. “From rocket attacks, to mortar attacks, to roadside (improvised explosive devices), to vehicle-born IEDs, that’s what we get here.” Because of the base’s location in the Sunni triangle, this makes the EOD troops some of the busiest on base, officials said. “We do a lot of stuff here that a lot of EOD people don’t get the chance to do,” said Master Sgt. Justin Anderson, the flight’s chief of flight operations, who is deployed from Hurlburt Field, Fla. “We get a lot of business here.” Not only do the Airmen respond to on-base attacks, they also work with Soldiers to go off the base. “You get a great feeling going ‘outside the wire’ rendering (harmless) extremely dangerous items that were designed to kill or hurt coalition forces and the locals,” Sergeant Anderson said. “After we’ve safely removed those hazards, we know that we’ve saved lives.” It is this opportunity to help others that draws many of the EOD technicians into the career field. “I think that’s why each one of us joined this job,” said Senior Airman Ryan McClary, an EOD technician deployed from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. “What we do on a daily basis is help everyone around us.” “We went out on a call one time where a rocket was launched towards the base but came up short and landed in an Iraqi’s backyard,” said Senior Airman Melanie Russian, an EOD technician also deployed from Moody. “We were able to (take care of it), and it was a great feeling knowing that we were there to help.” Not only are the EOD technicians helping base personnel and the locals, but also the junior ranking technicians are gaining experience that will help them the rest of their careers. “With the type of experience they are getting here, no amount of training could give them that,” Chief Bernard said. “We’re creating some of the best EOD techs in the world, and that will serve the Air Force well for years to come.” Regardless of military service, all EOD technicians attend the same school. That background helps them when they are working in a joint environment here. Often Soldiers will call in Airmen and vice versa when dealing with an IED or unexploded ordnance. “It’s a great joint relationship because maybe they have some experiences that we don’t have,” said Army Staff Sgt. Brian Bradley, an EOD technician. “Even though we all come from the same lineage, we all bring a little something different to the job,” Sergeant Anderson said. “But, EOD techs are a tight-knit group.” So as the call goes out, “Attention on the net, this is Panther, all clear, all clear, all clear,” and the mission carries on, people here know EOD Airmen have done their job, and done it well. “This is what we live for,” Chief Bernard said. “It doesn’t get much better than this right here.” |
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2004-12-20 |
EOD Airmen play key role in
Balad mission
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- A controlled detonation blast here lights up the sky. Materials detonated include weapons, contaminated fuel and outdated flares. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Hansen) |
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2004-12-20 |
Kunsan Airmen destroy Korean War bazooka round KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Staff Sgt. John McCoy calls the safety status of an explosive here Dec. 16. He is assigned to the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight. (U.S Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Port) |
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2004-12-20 |
Kunsan Airmen destroy Korean War bazooka round KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Airmen of the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight destroy the warhead portion of a Korean War-era bazooka round here Dec. 16. (U.S Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Port) |
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2004-12-20 |
Kunsan Airmen destroy Korean War bazooka round KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Staff Sgt. John McCoy shows the remains of a Korean War-era bazooka round Dec. 16. The round was found by Korean airmen who turned it over to Airmen here because they had the proper technical orders for destroying the rocket. He is assigned to the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight. (U.S Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Port) |
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2004-12-20 |
Kunsan Airmen destroy Korean War bazooka round KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Staff Sgt. John McCoy wires a remote-firing system Dec. 16 to destroy a Korean War-era bazooka round discovered by Korean airmen. The remote detonator will send an electrical signal to the military explosive and destroy the rocket. He is assigned to the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight. (U.S Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Port) |
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2004-12-20 |
Kunsan Airmen destroy Korean War bazooka round KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Staff Sgt. John McCoy yells out a safety call Dec. 16 to warn people that they are about to detonate a bazooka round. He is assigned to the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight. (U.S Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Alan Port) |
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2004-12-02 |
The destroyer BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Staff Sgt. Derek Keener readies a 105mm rocket in preparation to destroy a weapons cache near here Dec, 2. Sergeant Keener is assigned to the 455th Explosive Ordnance Group. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. J. Antonio Francis) |
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2004-10-28 |
Operation Iraqi Freedom KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- A ball of fire erupts as more than 18,000 pounds of munitions are destroyed by explosive ordnance disposal Airmen from the 506th Civil Engineer Squadron here. Munitions were found throughout the Kirkuk region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adrian Cadiz) |
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2004-10-28 |
Operation Iraqi Freedom KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- Senior Airman Randall Peterson attaches C4 explosives to a stack of live munitions. Munitions were found throughout the Kirkuk region and destroyed by explosive ordnance disposal Airmen. Airman Dighiera is deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. He is assigned to the 506th Civil Engineer Squadron here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adrian Cadiz) |
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2004-10-28 |
Operation Iraqi Freedom KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- Army engineers and explosive ordnance disposal Airmen unload a truck of munitions. Munitions were found throughout the Kirkuk region and destroyed by Airmen of the 506th Civil Engineer Squadron here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adrian Cadiz) |
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2004-10-28 |
Bombs away KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Senior Airman Randall Peterson hands a live round to Capt. Brian Nazarian. Munitions were found throughout the Kirkuk region and destroyed by explosive ordnance disposal Airmen. Airman Peterson is deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and Captain Nazarian is from Moody Air Force Base, Ga. They are assigned to the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adrian Cadiz) |
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2004-10-28 |
Operation Iraqi Freedom KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- Senior Airman Randall Peterson attaches C4 explosives to a stack of live munitions. Munitions were found throughout the Kirkuk region and destroyed by explosive ordnance disposal Airmen. Airman Dighiera is deployed from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. He is assigned to the 506th Civil Engineer Squadron here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adrian Cadiz) |
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2004-10-28 |
Operation Iraqi Freedom KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq -- A group of Air Force explosive ordnance disposal Airmen from the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here unloads a truck of live munitions as they prepare to destroy them. Munitions were found throughout the Kirkuk region and destroyed by explosive ordnance disposal Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Adrian Cadiz) |
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2004-10-13 |
Airmen explode bomb found on Florida beach PASSAGE KEY ISLAND, Fla. -- Airmen from the explosive ordnance disposal team at nearby MacDill Air Force Base destroy a World War II-era M46 photoflash bomb Oct. 13 found on the beach here. The team exploded the old bomb after they decided it was too sensitive to move. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Chad Chisholm) |
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2004-10-13 |
Airmen explode bomb found on Florida beach PASSAGE KEY ISLAND, Fla. -- A crater remains where a World War II-era M46 photoflash bomb exploded here Oct. 13. Airmen from the explosive ordnance disposal team at nearby MacDill Air Force Base destroyed the old bomb after they decided it was too sensitive to move. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Paul Hohn) |
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2004-10-13 |
Airmen explode bomb found on Florida beach PASSAGE KEY ISLAND, Fla. -- Airman 1st Class Ed Howell prepares explosive charges Oct. 13 to destroy a World War II-era M46 photoflash bomb found here. He is assigned to the explosive ordnance disposal team at nearby MacDill Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Paul Hohn) |
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2004-10-13 |
Airmen explode bomb found on Florida beach PASSAGE KEY ISLAND, Fla. -- A World War II-era M46 photoflash bomb sits here Oct. 13. Airmen from the explosive ordnance disposal team at nearby MacDill Air Force Base destroyed the bomb after they decided it was too sensitive to move. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Paul Hohn) |
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2004-10-06 |
Blowing stuff up for safety's sake BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Senior Airman David, whose last name is omitted for security reasons, times the detonation of unexploded ordnance. Airman David is an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 455th Civil Engineer Flight here. He is deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey) |
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2004-10-06 |
Blowing stuff up for safety's sake BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Staff Sgt. Michael, whose last name is omitted for security reasons, holds what is left of some unexploded ordnance. Sergeant Michael is an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 455th Civil Engineer Flight here. He is deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey) |
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2004-10-06 |
Blowing stuff up for safety's sake BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Airman 1st Class Christopher, whose last name is omitted for security reasons, places C-4 on unexploded ordnance. He is an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 455th Civil Engineer Flight here. Airman Christopher is deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Lindsey) |
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2004-09-15 |
It's real far EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - Airman 1st Class Isaiah Schaff uses a range finder to determine the distance to an unexploded ordnance during an operational readiness exercise here Sept. 15. Airman Schaff is assigned the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joshua Strang) |
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2004-09-14
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EOD team enjoys 'a booming business' ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Staff Sgt. William Campbell (left) and Tech. Sgt. John Bell (right) help Staff Sgt. Adam Fletcher into a bomb suit which weighs about 100 pounds. The Airmen are assigned to the 116th Air Control Wing's explosive ordnance and disposal flight here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sue Sapp) by Lanorris Askew 9/15/2004 - ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN) -- Most boys dream of growing up to be just like their fathers. They imitate the way they walk, the way they talk and even the way they dress. Tech. Sgt. John Bell went a step further. He imitates the way his father made things explode. “I guess you can say blowing up things runs in the family,” said Sergeant Bell, an explosive ordnance disposal journeyman. “My dad did it 20 years before I did, and it just sounded like a challenge, something I would really have to work for if I wanted it bad enough.” An Airman with 116th Air Control Wing’s EOD flight, the sergeant and his co-workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the Air Force. But it is one they all agree is easy to love. Staff Sgt. William Campbell, who recently returned from technical school, knew he wanted to join the career field after his last deployment as a Soldier. “I spent 13 years in the Army, and on my last deployment overseas, I had a chance to work with some Army EOD techs,” he said. “We were in Bosnia-Herzegovina and at the time there were close to 2 million land mines that were just lying out everywhere. The Army techs would go out and clear those land mines and other booby traps that were being laid by the Serbs. I fell in love with the fact that their job is to help people, and you have a definite reward for what you are doing.” It takes a whole lot more than the love of explosives to be an EOD technician. Training for this highly volatile field involves a score of 61 or better on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test, weeks of preliminary courses at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and months of training at EOD School at Eglin AFB, Fla. “During class you become a family, and that helps to build that family orientation into the career field when you graduate,” Sergeant Campbell said. While at school, EOD students learn the basics of what makes things explode and then graduate to hands-on training. “You go from a half-pound block of explosives to a 1,500-pound pile of explosives,” Sergeant Campbell said. It also takes a physically fit person to wear the bomb suit which provides protection against explosives, but weighs about 100 pounds. After graduation, the real mission begins. “EOD is one of the most stable jobs in the military because even during peacetime, you’re performing your mission,” Staff Sgt. Adam Fletcher said. “Other units have to wait on a disaster or wartime before they get to perform their mission. In EOD, we perform our mission every day.” Protecting Air Force people and assets, their job is one that never gets old. “We do a lot of training in-house,” Sergeant Bell said. “We’re responsible for taking care of any improvised explosive devices. If there was an aircraft problem involving explosives, we would go out and take care of that by rendering the aircraft or area safe.” Though most EOD team members are flesh and bone, there is one recent addition that takes on a different form -- the Remote Ordinance Neutralization System robot. It weighs more than 500 pounds, is made mostly of aluminum and is equipped with four cameras and two-way microphones. With an arm, shoulder, elbow and wrist, the robot also has claws that can spin 360 degrees and can lift 20 to 35 pounds fully extended, or up to 50 pounds when half extended. The claws have 50 pounds of gripping pressure, and the robot travels at a top speed of 3 mph. “The upgraded robot is 3 years old,” he said. “It’s not waterproof, but it’s water resistant up to a certain depth and runs off of wheelchair batteries.” Whether following in someone else’s footsteps or creating dreams of their own, EOD technicians – with the help of robots -- are helping keep people safe. |
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2004-09-10 |
It's da bomb! DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Staff Sgt. Dustin Prowell places a strap around a World War II bomb that was discovered at a construction site here Sept. 10. Sergeant Prowell is an explosive ordnance disposal journeyman assigned to the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina D. Kinsey) |
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2004-09-10 |
It's da bomb! DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Airman 1st Class Andrew Lebeau (left) and Staff Sgt. Dustin Prowell check out a bomb discovered here Sept. 10. Base officials believe the bomb is left over from World War II. Sergeant Prowell is an explosive ordnance disposal journeyman, and Airman Lebeau is an EOD technician. Both are assigned to the 355th Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christina D. Kinsey) |
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2004-08-27 |
Making every second count OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- Senior Airman Phillip Dyer fires a .50-caliber rifle while Tech. Sgt David Ashcraft spots him during live-fire training at a forward-deployed location. The explosive ordnance disposal technicians use the rifle to disrupt or destroy unexploded ordnance from a safe distance. Because of the high caliber of the weapon, it must be mounted or set on its bipods. The Airmen are assigned to the 40th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Flight and are deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan) |
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2004-08-27 |
Making every second count OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- Senior Airman Sunshine Polk awaits approval to fires during an operation with a .50-caliber rifle on a training range at a forward-deployed location. The explosive ordnance disposal technicians use the rifle to disrupt or destroy unexploded ordnance from a safe distance. Airman Polk is assigned to the 40th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Flight and is deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan) |
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2004-08-27 |
Making every second count OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- Tech. Sgt. David Ashcraft keeps a watchful eye on the detonation time during a training demolition operation at a forward-deployed location Aug. 24. The explosive ordnance disposal technicians can pinpoint the time of detonation by measuring the length of fuse. Sergeant Ashcraft is assigned to the 40th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Flight and is deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan) |
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2004-08-27 |
Making every second count OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- Senior Airman Phillip Dyer tests a fuse during training at a forward-deployed location Aug. 24. The test lets the operation supervisor calculate detonation time. Airman Dyer is an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 40th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Flight. He is deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan) |
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2004-08-27 |
Making every second count OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM -- Senior Airman Phillip Dyer sets up a .50-caliber rifle for a live-fire training operation. Airman Dyer is an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 40th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Flight at a forward-deployed location. He is deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Gallahan) |
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2004-08-24 |
A sharp eye AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Airman 1st Class Jedd Lucas closely analyzes unexploded ordnance during training here Aug. 24. The explosive ordnance disposal flight has training exercises biweekly. Airman Jedd is assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron's EOD flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Scherrie K. Gates) |
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2004-08-24 |
A sharp eye AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Airman 1st Class Jedd Lucas closely observes unexploded ordnance during training here Aug. 24. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight has these types of training exercises bi- weekly. Airman Jedd is a member of the EOD flight assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Scherrie K. Gates) |
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2004-08-24 |
A sharp eye AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Airman 1st Class Jedd Lucas closely observes unexploded ordnance during training here Aug. 24. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight has these types of training exercises bi- weekly. Airman Jedd is a member of the EOD flight assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Scherrie K. Gates) |
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 Michael Ging/The Arizona Republic Staff Sgt. Peter Hendricks puts down a layer of C4 explosive that will be used to destroy dummy bombs from a training exercise on the Barry M. Goldwater Range. |
Bombing
done, their job starts Bombing targets with F-16 jet fighters isn't the only dangerous job Luke Air Force Base airmen face on the Barry M. Goldwater Range. Among the many responsibilities of Luke's 56th Civil Engineering Squadron's explosive ordnance disposal, or EOD, squad is the task of cleaning up spent and unexploded munitions at target areas. Despite working with dangerous explosives, the team leader, Master Sgt. Donald Williams, says the bomb squad's 42 members (augmented by 16 reservists) have more pressing fears: advertisement "Believe it or not, our people are more afraid of the spiders and snakes than they are of the explosives." Airman 1st Class Stephen Ohge, a 20-year-old Mesa native who "liked explosives as a kid," is typical of the bomb-squad members. "I saw EOD and said, 'Wow, I found something extreme, something challenging and something rewarding at the same time,' " he says. The airman knows the job is dangerous, so the massive amount of training required doesn't bother him. "Safety is the most important factor of this job," he says. "You've always got to keep that in your brain. What's important is to keep me safe and keep everyone else safe. And all your decisions are based upon that." Cleaning up targets at the Goldwater Range is a job the bomb squad does all year long, tackling the various targets on rotating schedules. The range is in southern Arizona north of the Mexico border and is the nation's second-largest tactical aviation range, next to the Nellis range in Nevada. |
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| 6 from Luke
bomb squad now in NYC David Madrid The Arizona Republic Aug. 21, 2004 12:00 AM From desert washes to urban canyons, Luke Air Force Base's bomb squad has one overriding mission: protecting lives from the lethal power of explosives. Accomplishing that goal can be as simple as disposing of practice bombs or as complicated as matching wits with determined terrorists. Members of the squad are now in New York City, sweeping sites to help guard against terrorist attacks during the upcoming Republican National Convention. Although he's not taking part in the New York mission, Tech. Sgt. Michael
Lenfesty, 36, says that when explosive specialists have confronted terrorists
overseas, they've found themselves in a high-stakes battle of wits.
advertisement "They want to see how we do, how we'll react. They may do it three or four times or more just to get an idea of what we are doing. And then they will try to employ countermeasures to prevent us from doing what we have to do. In (Northern) Ireland, (bomb-disposal) guys are actually targets." The members of Luke's 56th Civil Engineering Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal squad perform many tasks, all potentially dangerous. They clear the Barry M. Goldwater Range of spent munitions, exploded or not. The squad goes to the scene of military aircraft accidents to make sure they render any unexploded munitions harmless. They respond to local law-enforcement calls involving military explosives found in homes or complex explosives that local teams don't have the expertise to handle. Some of the squad's members have spent hazardous duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, clearing homemade bombs aimed at American troops and disposing of unexploded munitions. Luke's Capt. Andrew Lauer, 30, the EOD flight commander, runs a 42-person shop helped by 16 reservists. He says explosives technology is constantly evolving. "Something as simple as a Coke can could be turned into something that could kill a person," Lauer said. "You could find explosives in a pack of cigarettes that would detonate when you open them." Recently at Luke, the bomb squad set up simulated roadside bombs, similar to those used in Iraq to destroy convoys. The bomb squad was training to disable the "improvised explosive devices." A series of four projectiles, evenly spaced, was wired down the side of the road. "When you are talking about improvised explosive devices, the only limitation is the imagination and abilities of the builder," Lenfesty said. "That's why our training becomes so important to us. We normally build stuff to train each other on, so we know our limitations and weaknesses. So you try to force people into becoming more creative." Six members of the bomb squad are in New York City working the Republican National Convention, which starts Aug. 30. The explosive specialists work in two-airman teams and join hundreds of other military-explosive experts safeguarding convention sites. Senior Airman Heather Hollo, 22, a Long Island, N.Y., native, says that working the convention will be the high point of her bomb squad career. Working on the squad, "you pretty much feel like you can do something important," Hollo said. "If there's an IED out there and you can help fix it and be a part of that, then you just saved people and property. It's an unusual job." The bomb-squad members won't reveal their secrets. They will say that they are sweeping the convention center and other areas for improvised explosive devices. They check vehicles for car bombs. They check kitchens, turning on the stoves. They check out the food. They check the bathrooms, flushing the toilets, turning on the faucets. They don't underestimate the terrorist threat. Members of Luke's bomb squad were also at the Democratic National Convention in July and help provide security when VIPs come to the Valley, as when President Bush made a campaign stop last week. "We're basically the personal security for the president, the vice president, the first family, secretary of State, secretary of defense, foreign dignitaries," said Master Sgt. Donald Williams, 40. Besides facing the most up-to-date weapons, the squad occasionally finds itself dealing with munitions from long-ago conflicts, helping local authorities when veterans die and the family finds explosive souvenirs. It has been called out to handle such ordnance in cities all over the Valley, particularly the Sun Cities, for the state Department of Public Safety and for such municipalities as Flagstaff and Show Low. Just because the explosives are obsolete doesn't mean they aren't still dangerous. In some places in the United States, Lenfesty said, explosives have been found that date back as far as the Civil War. "This may sound funny," he said, "but there are some serious ordnance collectors out there." |
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2004-08-03 |
Bombs and one missile INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFPN) -- Explosive ordnance disposal technicians from here dispose of two general-purpose bombs and one missile warhead during joint training with Turkish air force EOD units in Konya, Turkey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edward Albietz) |
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2004-08-03 |
Percussion-actuated
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey (AFPN) -- Senior Airman Joseph Gorney takes one last look at the setup of his "percussion-actuated nonelectric disrupter" during an exercise here. The tool disrupts an explosive device's internal mechanisms. Airman Gorney is an explosive ordnance disposal flight journeyman for the 39th Civil Engineer Squadron. |
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2004-07-29 |
.50 caliber rounds BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Benjamin Kelly prepares munitions fuses, flares and .50-caliber rounds for disposal here. Sergeant Kelly is an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. He is deployed from the 39th CES at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cohen Young) |
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2004-07-23 |
Explosion on the road
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2004-06-23 |
EOD is making Afghanistan safe for future BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Staff Sgt. Thomas places a safety pin on the 30 mm gun of an A-10 Thunderbolt II during an in-flight emergency exercise. Sergeant Thomas is an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Flight here. (Digitally altered U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates) |
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2004-06-23 |
EOD is making Afghanistan safe for future BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- "Lucky Day," a robot used by explosive ordnance disposal technicians, picks up a rocket motor from underneath a Humvee during training. Robots are often used to retrieve ordnance from difficult to reach or dangerous locations. Airman 1st Class Nicholas (background) controls the robot by remote control. Airman Nicholas is assigned to the 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Flight here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Andrew Gates) |
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Analyze this
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2004-05-14 |
On the lookout SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airman 1st Class Joseph Lloyd mans the turret of a vehicle providing protection for a recent convoy to purchase mission-essential supplies for Tallil Air Base, Iraq. He is assigned to the 407th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron's explosive ordnance disposal team. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina M. Rumsey) |
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2004-05-05 |
Lay low AVON PARK AIR RANGE, Fla. -- An Air Force explosive ordnance and device specialist from the 820th Airborne Red Horse Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., provides security for a suicide-bomber scenario at an entry control point during exercise Safe Flag here recently. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew Hannen) |
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| US Air Force (USAF) Staff Sergeant
(SSGT) Phillips, an Explosive Ordinances and Devices (EOD) specialists
from the 824th Airborne Red Horse (ARH), examines a bomb attached to a
simulated suicide bomber during a Safe Flag exercise at Avon Park Air
Range, Florida (FL). Safe Flag exercise is designed to ready troops to
become a highly capable and responsive team when opening air bases worldwide.
(Released to Public) Location: AVON PARK RANGE, FLORIDA (FL) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) DoD photo by: SSGT MATTHEW HANNEN, USAF Date Shot: 5 May 2004 |
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| Explosive Ordinances Devices (EOD)
specialists from the 820th Airborne Red Horse Squadron (ARHS), clear an
area after detonating a bomb on a damaged runway during a Rapid Runway
Repair at Avon Park Air Range, Florida (FL), in support of Exercise Safe
Flag. (SUBSTANDARD) (Released to Public) Location: AVON PARK AIR RANGE, FLORIDA (FL) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) DoD photo by: SSGT MATTHEW HANNEN, USAF Date Shot: 2 May 2004 |
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| US Air Force (USAF) members of the
18th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team
use a Remote Ordnance Neutralization System (RONS) robot to inspect a
suspicious package left at Postal Service 80 during an bomb threat scenario
on April 17, 2004. The wartime scenarios are part of the 18th Wing's weeklong
Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE). (Released to Public) Location: KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA JAPAN (JPN) DoD photo by: A1C HEATHER L TOWER, USAF Date Shot: 17 Apr 2004 |
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| US Air Force (USAF) Airman First Class
(A1C) David Gerig, 18th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) Explosive Ordnance
Disposal (EOD) team, drives a Remote Ordnance Neutralization System (RONS)
robot toward the area where the suspicious package is located during a
bomb threat scenario. The wartime scenarios are part of the 18th Wing's
weeklong Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE). (Released to Public) Location: KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA JAPAN (JPN) DoD photo by: A1C HEATHER L TOWER, USAF Date Shot: 17 Apr 2004 |
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| Members of the 18th Civil Engineer
Squadron (CES) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team use a Remote Ordnance
Neutralization System (RONS) robot to inspect a suspicious package left
at Postal Service 80 during a bomb threat scenario. The wartime scenarios
are part of the 18th Wing's weeklong operational readiness exercise (ORE).
(Released to Public) Location: KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA JAPAN (JPN) DoD photo by: A1C HEATHER L TOWER, USAF Date Shot: 17 Apr 2004 |
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| Members of the 18th Civil Engineer
Squadron (CES) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team use a Remote Ordnance
Neutralization System (RONS) robot to inspect a suspicious package left
at Postal Service 80 during a bomb threat scenario. The wartime scenarios
are part of the 18th Wing's weeklong operational readiness exercise (ORE).
(Released to Public) Location: KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA JAPAN (JPN) DoD photo by: A1C HEATHER L TOWER, USAF Date Shot: 17 Apr 2004 |
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2004-04-14 |
Mortar Roundup BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Chris King moves 82 mm mortars to a safe place for demolition here April 14. Sergeant King is a explosive ordnance team member with the 332nd Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Aaron Allmon II) |
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| US Air Force (USAF) Staff Sergeant
(SSGT) Chris King, USAF EOD (Explosive Ordinance Disposal) team, 332d
Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW), Balad Air Base (AB), Iraq, and a USAF Senior
Airman (SRA) move some 82 mm mortars to a safer place for demolition with
C4 plastic explosives during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. (Released to Public) Location: BALAD AIR BASE, SALAH AD DIN IRAQ (IRQ) DoD photo by: SSGT AARON D. ALLMON II, USAF Date Shot: 14 Apr 2004 |
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2004-04-09 |
Bomb Disposal Robot KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq - Several explosive ordnance disposal specialists stow a MK-VI bomb disposal robot after destroying an assortment of munitions found in the town of Dibbis, Iraq, April 9. The Airmen are assigned to the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron here. (Department of Defense photo by Army Sgt. April Johnson) Download Full Image | E-mail a friend |
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| A US Air Force (USAF) Staff Sergeant
(SSGT) from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Flight (FLT), 354th
Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), Eielson Air Force Base (AFB), Alaska (AK),
performs a last minute check on the EOD Flights REMOTEC Mini-ANDROS II
remotely operated vehicle during a suspicious package call as a part of
the wing's Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE). (Released to Public) Location: EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, ALASKA (AK) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) DoD photo by: SRA JOSHUA STRANG, USAF Date Shot: 9 Apr 2004 |
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| A US Air Force (USAF) member, outfitted
in an EOD-8 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Suit, of the Explosive Ordinance
Disposal (EOD) Flight (FLT), 354th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), Eielson
Air Force Base (AFB), Alaska (AK), talks to his counterparts working the
EOD Flights REMOTEC Mini-ANDROS II remotely operated vehicle during a
suspicious package call at the Medical Group building as a part of the
wing's Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE). (Released to Public) Location: EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, ALASKA (AK) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) DoD photo by: SRA JOSHUA STRANG, USAF Date Shot: 9 Apr 2004 |
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2004-04-07 |
Bomb Prep KATAN ALKABER, Iraq -- Senior Airman James Hodge (front) and Airman 1st Class Glenn Henthorn put C-4 explosives on 100 mm armor-piercing rounds during an ammunition cache demolition here April 7. Airman Hodge is a member of 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and Airman Henthorn is a member of 380th ECES. Squadron workers destroy ammunition disposals to prevent anti-coalition forces from using them for criminal and terroists acts in Iraq. (Department of Defense photo by Army Sgt. April Johnson) |
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2004-04-07 |
C-4 Classified KATAN ALKABER, Iraq -- Airmen from the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron and 308th ECES placed C-4 explosive on more than 300 100 mm armor piercing rounds for demolition here April 7. Destroying the ammunition cache prevents criminal and terroists acts by anti-coalition forces in Iraq. (Department of Defense photo by Army Sgt. April Johnson) |
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| US Air Force (USAF) Captain (CPT)
Jose L. Rivera, 509th Expeditionary Civil Engineering Squadron (ECES)/Explosive
Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Whiteman Air Force Base (AFB), Missouri (MO),
prepares the igniter time blasting fuse for M456 detonating cord. The
combination will destroy over three hundred 100-millimeter armor-piercing
rounds in an ammunition cache demolition in the town of Katan Alkaber,
Iraq. EOD destroys found ammunition to prevent anti-coalition forces from
using it for criminal and terrorist acts in Iraq during Operation IRAQI
FREEDOM. (Released to Public) DoD photo by: SGT APRIL L. JOHNSON, USA Date Shot: 7 Apr 2004 |
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2004-04-06 |
Demolition Man BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Staff Sgt. Rory Stark places charges at the base of an obsolete radar tower at Baghdad International Airport recently. The demolition makes room for a new radar tower to bring the airport up to international standards. Sergeant Stark is an explosive ordnance technician assigned to the 447th Air Expeditionary Group here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Sean E. Cobb) |
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2004-04-05 |
UXO BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Airman 1st Class Richard Gibbons identifies simulated unexploded ordnance during a conventional operations readiness exercise here April 5. The exercise tests the wing's warfighting capability. Airman Gibbons is an explosive ordnance disposal specialist from the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Denise A. Rayder) |
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| US Air Force (USAF) Airman First Class
(A1C) Richard Gibbons, from the 2nd Civil Engineering Squadron (CES),
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), identifies a simulated unexploded ordnance
device during the Conventional Operations Readiness Exercise, (CORE).
CORE is a test of the Wing's war fighting capability at Barksdale Air
Force Base (AFB), Louisiana (LA). (Released to Public) Location: BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LOUISIANA (LA) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) DoD photo by: SSGT DENISE A. RAYDER, USAF Date Shot: 5 Apr 2004 |
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| US Air Force (USAF) Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Gregg Wozniak,
from 366th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), Explosive Ordnance Disposal
(EOD) Flight, Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Idaho (ID), shows video
footage captured earlier of the suspicious package to members of the survey
team. Watching are, Airman First Class (A1C) John Lopez and A1C Felix
Jauregui, Airman (AMN) Kyle Leger, from the Bio-Environmental Flight,
366th Aeromedical Dental Squadron (ADS), Mountain Home Air Force Base
(AFB), US Army (USA) Staff Sergeant (SSG) Donnie Johnson and USA SSG Jeremy
Hamrick, from the 101st Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Civil Support
Team (CST). This was a local Major Accident Response Exercise (MARE) where
a suspicious package containing unknown substances was left on a military
member's desk. (Released to Public) Location: MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO (ID) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) DoD photo by: MSGT DEBBIE HERNANDEZ, USAF Date Shot: 3 Apr 2004 |
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| US Air Force (USAF) Technical Sergeant
(TSGT) Charles Harrison, a Fireman checks the vitals of Airman First Class
(A1C) Swift Moon, from the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), Explosive
Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight, Mountain Home Air Force Base (AFB), Idaho
(ID), before he enters a building. This was a local Major Accident Response
Exercise (MARE) where a suspicious package containing unknown substances
was left on a military member's desk. (Released to Public) Location: MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO (ID) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) DoD photo by: MSGT DEBBIE HERNANDEZ, USAF Date Shot: 2 Apr 2004 |
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| Dressed in protective gear, US Air
Force (USAF) Senior Airman (SRA) Daniel Loomis, from the 366th Civil Engineer
Squadron (CES), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight, Mountain Home
Air Force Base (AFB), Idaho (ID), records the contents of the suspicious
package to determine if it contains explosives. (Released to Public) Location: MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO (ID) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) DoD photo by: MSGT DEBBIE HERNANDEZ, USAF Date Shot: 2 Apr 2004 |
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2004-04-02 |
Destroying UXOs TALLIL AIR BASE, Iraq -- Explosive ordnance disposal experts destroy a cache of explosives. Airmen systematically sweep the entire base to eliminate all unexploded ordnance and defeat improvised explosive devices. Nearly 350,000 items have been destroyed here. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Desiree Palacios) |
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2004-04-01 |
Bombs, CSI, crime scene investigators NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- About 50 pounds of ammonium-nitrate fuel was used to destroy a small vehicle here March 29. The car was bombed as a part of a large-vehicle bomb post-blast investigation class. The class trains bomb technicians worldwide in the post-blast investigation process after terrorist attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kenny Kennemer) |
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2004-03-09 |
US Air Force (USAF) Senior Airman
(SRA) Sarah Martinez (foreground), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD),
92nd Civil Engineer Squadron (CES), Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB), Washington
(WA), is followed by Chief Kenneth Karnes, Fire Chief, 92nd CES, as she
prepares to carry out a reconnaissance mission inside a building that
contains a simulated suspected explosive device during a Major Accident
Recovery Exercise (MARE), which is a monthly exercise conducted by the
Wing Inspection Office to make certain that Fairchild AFB personnel are
prepared to deal with an actual major incident event on or against the
base. (Released to Public) Location: FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, WASHINGTON (WA) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) DoD photo by: SSGT LAURA SMITH, USAF Date Shot: 9 Mar 2004 |
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2004-03-09 |
US Air Force (USAF) Senior Airman
(SRA) Sarah Martinez, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), 92nd Civil Engineer
Squadron (CES), Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB), Washington (WA), photographs
a simulated suspected explosive device that she found while carrying out
a reconnaissance mission inside a building during a Major Accident Recovery
Exercise (MARE), which is a monthly exercise conducted by the Wing Inspection
Office to make certain that Fairchild AFB personnel are prepared to deal
with an actual major incident event on or against the base. (Released
to Public) Location: FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, WASHINGTON (WA) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (USA) DoD photo by: SSGT LAURA SMITH, USAF Date Shot: 9 Mar 2004 |
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2004-03-09 |
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFPN) -- Senior Airman Sarah Martinez prepares to enter a building where a simulated suspect device was found during an exercise here March 9. Airman Martinez is an explosive ordnance disposal technician with the base's 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Laura K. Smith) US Air Force (USAF) Senior Airman (SRA) Sarah
Martinez, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron
(CES), Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB), Washington (WA), prepares to
carry out a reconnaissance mission inside a building to find a simulated
suspected explosive device during a Major Accident Recovery Exercise
(MARE), which is a monthly exercise conducted by the Wing Inspection
Office to make certain that Fairchild AFB personnel are prepared to
deal with an actual major incident event on or against the base. (Released
to Public) |
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2004-02-05 |
Ka-boom! AL FATHAH AIR FIELD, Iraq -- Heavy equipment is used to bury part of a 2-million-net-pound weapons cache before Army engineers and Air Force explosive ordnance disposal workers can begin detonation Feb. 5. Officials said this is the largest single weapons cache uncovered to date. Coalition forces believe burying the explosives before detonation will reduce the risk of fallout on nearby villages. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jeffrey A. Wolfe) |
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2004-02-05 |
Ka-boom!
AL FATHAH AIR FIELD, Iraq -- Explosions rock the ground here as Army engineers and Air Force explosive ordnance disposal workers detonate a weapons cache Feb. 5. An estimated 2 million net pounds of explosives were left at the air field by the old regime, making it the largest single weapons cache uncovered by the coalition to date. Workers are destroying an average of 100,000 pounds of weapons per day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jeffrey A. Wolfe) |
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