Joint installation training enhances mission readiness

Airmen from the 914th Air Refueling Wing, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York and the 910th Airlift Wing here completed joint-installation training at YARS Aug. 6.

Staff Sgt. Jason Berc, a 914th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician, and Senior Airman Evan Volmrich, a 914th CES EOD team member, conducted annual training on ground burst simulators and smoke grenades.

Approximately 20 Airmen from inspector general, safety and security forces received training on M18 smoke grenades and M116A1 hand grenade simulators.

“Since Youngstown does not have an EOD team on base, it is up to us to provide training on the safety precautions, transportation, handling and use of explosives,” explained Berc. “That way our Airmen know what to do and who to contact in case of an emergency.”

Each Airman attending the training was required to sit in on a briefing, pass a written exam, and participate in hands-on training in order to demonstrate what they learned.

“The golden rule of explosive safety is to expose the minimum number of personnel to the minimum amount of explosives for the minimum amount of time,” said Berc.

Joint training enhances mission readiness of the total force as Airmen from multiple installations work and train together prior to deployments, build strong connections, preserve the culture and allocate funding.