EOD Airmen help keep community safe

Published July 31, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Gloria Wilson
27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Cannon Air Force Base's Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight recently responded to a bomb scare downtown, providing crucial capabilities to a community Cannon Air Force Base personnel are a part of. It wasn't the first time EOD partnered with law enforcement officials, and if an event occurs in the future where EOD's unique skill set is needed, it won't be the last.

The suspected bomb turned out to be a training aid once owned by a now-deceased Albuquerque arson investigator, but it was EOD Airmen that had the ability to make that determination. Their response and others before that were contingent upon an agreement that has existed since 1986.

"We have a Memorandum of Understanding with local counties sheriff's departments and we are part of their Improvised Explosive Device response teams," said Master Sgt. Warren Downing, EOD flight chief. "There are procedures in place for off-base agencies to request our assistance."

EOD's support provides the civilian community with experienced and expeditious response capabilities -- something that could potentially be the difference between life and death.

"The ability to call on Cannon's EOD makes a big difference and we are fortunate enough to have them," said Curry County Sheriff Matt Murray. "The response time is cut drastically since the State of New Mexico's bomb unit is not in the local area. With Cannon's EOD unit here, man hours and potentially lives are saved."

Although the latest incident wasn't a real bomb, it provided EOD Airmen an opportunity to hone their skills and work with local law enforcement officials.

"We received outstanding support from the sheriff's department downtown," said Staff Sgt. Joshua Barry, EOD team chief for last week's incident. "This great working relationship makes our job easier."

Sherriff Murray said if an incident requires EOD response they turn over control of the scene to them, then assist as necessary -- providing the subject matter experts the support they need.

Other situations Cannon's EOD flight has responded to off-base include a bank robbery and a house that was feared to be booby trapped. But EOD's interaction with civilian law enforcement officials isn't limited to real-world events.

"We've conducted IED awareness training with law enforcement officials, given capability briefings and have even brought the SWAT team on base to train in a simulated methamphetamine lab scenario," said Tech. Sgt. Matthew Kredell, EOD flight member.

With the knowledge passed on there comes the understanding for those involved that EOD Airmen have the training, proficiency and even tools such as the HD-1 remote entry robot, to get the job done.

"When we responded last week, they were ready to let us do what we are trained to do," said Staff Sgt. David Olson, EOD flight member. "We got there, gathered info, discussed possibilities and implemented our plan of action."

While Cannon EOD flight members all agree that responding to areas such as Clovis is important because it's within their area of responsibility, they also agree that it's not the only reason.

"We have friends and family in the community and we live and work here -- there's a ripple effect to that," said Sergeant Kredell. "Also, we've worked with the schools here and there's an obligation we feel to make them safe. But mainly, whether it's here within our community or elsewhere like the counties in Texas also in our AOR, we care because our job is to protect personnel and property and it's an undertaking we do well."