EOD Airmen get "back to the basics"

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Coleman
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Explosive Ordnance Airmen throughout the Air Force paused operations Nov. 13 to focus on each other, examine the health and well being of EOD personnel -- both military and civilian and review standard operating tactics, techniques and procedures, also known as TTP. 

EOD is not an easy job -- EOD Airmen are an elite group of highly trained technicians with a proud heritage of protecting personnel and property from the effects of hazardous unexploded ordnance.

"Today is a day to focus on team, family, deployment preparation and different TTP's and overall safety," said Tech. Sgt. William Kellum, 354th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD technician. "One of the purposes is to highlight the contributions and sacrifices of EOD Airmen and all combat support Airmen."

Over the course of the day, Airmen talked with the chaplain and mental health to discuss different consequences of combat stress on Airmen and their families, and the Airman and Family Readiness Center to learn about different programs and resources available to them. They also went over story boards which illustrated different situations that EOD personnel have encountered in theater, preparing themselves for combat operations.

"The biggest thing is to look at our EOD brothers who are coming back or were killed in action and learn from their experiences," said Airman 1st Class Daniel Metts. "We try to flip the coin and learn -- learn more than one way to handle situations."

EOD Airmen continue to support OIF and OEF with frequent deployments for longer periods of time, many Airmen on their third or fourth tour, which sparked the Air Force to approve an EOD safety day -- allowing Airmen to refocus on standard operating procedures and safety to avoid future loss of life or limb.

"They realized we needed a day to get back to the basics," said Sergeant Kellum. "It helps us as a family to  take care of each other."

The tight-knit group is currently preparing for an upcoming deployment. The other half of their shop who are currently preparing to return from a deployment will only have time to high five their teammates on their way downrange. Professionals are always in demand.