92nd CES explosive ordnance disposal personnel have safety day

Published Dec. 1, 2011
By Angela O'Connell
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight began their Air Force Headquarters-directed safety day Nov. 15 with a 5K Ruck March to commemorate and increase awareness about the Airmen EOD has lost through the years.

"The toll on the EOD career field has been significant," said Lt. Gen. Loren Reno, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Installations and Mission Support, in a recent letter. "Since 2005, we have lost 17 EOD Airmen in combat operations. An additional 14 have been seriously injured, and more than 90 EOD Airmen have received one or more Purple Hearts."

The day was spent refocusing on the fundamentals of EOD procedures, safety and their families.

"This time to reflect is critical because EOD, like many Air Force career fields, has high deployment rates, and they perform in a dangerous combat environment," said Col. Mike Hill, 92nd Mission Support Group commander. "This ever-changing combat environment demands that we set aside time for our Airmen to pause and focus on safety, tactics, techniques and procedures and family readiness."

Col. Marc Van Wert, 92nd Air Refueling Wing vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Rudy Lopez, 92nd Air Refueling Wing command chief, kicked off the morning discussions by highlighting the significance of what EOD accomplishes.

"Your mission is critical because of what you do to protect and save lives," Van Wert said. "We appreciate what you do for the war fighter and our nation."

After discussing the importance of standard operating procedures, the flight reviewed EOD incidents and lessons learned. The group was also briefed on recognizing signs of combat stress, traumatic brain injury and mental health. Special emphasis was placed on Fairchild resources available to EOD Airmen and their families while in garrison and deployed.

Along with the skill sets EOD provides in a deployed environment, Fairchild's EOD has worked closely with Spokane Emergency Services in assisting with disposal of items found in the local community.

"You have a unique skill set and use your training to provide a critical function for the Air Force and the DoD, as well as augmenting services in the local community," Lopez said. "You routinely put your lives on the line and are heroes in my mind for that selflessness. Thank you for what you do and to your families for their constant support."