28 CES participates in EOD Safety Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Abigail Klein
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  In compliance with Air Force headquarter's decision to designate Nov. 21 as Explosive Ordnance Disposal Safety Day, the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD flight will participate in a tactical pause that day, to refocus on the fundamentals of their procedures, while reviewing basic safety.

The idea to designate an EOD Safety Day was a direct result of the increasing involvement of AF EOD participation in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. This increase in participation has caused EOD Airmen to be on their third or fourth combat tours in short periods of time, while heightening the possibility of more EOD combat-related deaths, said Maj. Gen. R. Michael Worden, Air Combat Command vice commander, in his memo to wing commanders dated Nov 14.

EOD personnel are part of a group of highly-trained operators who aide in protecting personnel and property from the effects of hazardous unexploded ordnance, said Tech Sgt. David Fitzpatrick, 28 CES EOD operator. This includes conventional military ordnance, improvised explosive devices, and chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

"Since 2005, EOD experienced eight combat deaths, and 35 EOD operators have been wounded while performing ground combat operations Air Force-wide," Sergeant Fitzpatrick said. "This day will allow us to reinforce the importance of EOD operations and get back to the basics of our operations."

The day-long tactical pause will consist mostly of briefings reviewing and stressing the importance of standard operating procedures while discussing past EOD incidents and lessons learned.

This day will also help EOD operators refocus their efforts and mission, not allowing them to become complacent in their jobs, said Staff Sgt. Bryan Berky, 28 CES EOD operator. The fact that EOD operators deploy so frequently can cause some Airmen to believe they've seen it all and not focus on job safety.

Briefings by Col. Scott Vander Hamm, 28th Bomb Wing commander, Lt. Col. John Allen, 28 CES commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Clifton Cole, 28th Bomb Wing command chief, discussing the significance of EOD will begin the series of discussions. Other briefings scheduled will discuss options for pre- or post-deployment combat stress counseling, overviews of hazardous and toxic materials, emphasizing health concerns, including hearing protection and social activities available for deployed EOD family members.

"This meeting will consist of more than the basic pre-deployment briefings we're all used to," Sergeant Fitzpatrick said. "They will allow Airmen and NCOs to understand the deep appreciation our commanders and superiors have for our job and how concerned they are for our well-being."

Besides reviewing routine procedures, safety measures and appreciation, they expect the most important result of the day will be the effect it will have on them in future endeavors.

This day will allow EOD operators to rediscover their center, Sergeant Berky said. AF EOD is the safest in the DoD, and this day will remind them of why they have earned that reputation and how they can apply it to future missions to save lives.

The EOD mission is maintained by a joint-service community consisting of approximately 4,000 servicemembers who attend the Naval School of Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Eglin Air Force Base, FL.