EOD organizes multi-unit training exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew Burke
  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Airmen of the 914th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron here conducted an exercise focusing on aspects of their deployable mission on November 1, 2014. 

Members of the 914th EOD, along with personnel from the 914th Security Forces Squadron participated in the day-long exercise which combined the unique expeditionary combat skills of each squadron and allowed members the opportunity to observe the other's practices and procedures.

"Rehearsing procedures is integral for maximizing unit interoperability," said Master Sgt. Andrew Petrulis, EOD technician and lead coordinator for the exercise. "It's important for our unit members to be proficient in the EOD mission, but these exercises allow them to focus on cooperating with other squadrons."

The training activities simulated a 914th SFS vehicle convoy moving through a deployed location. Personnel encountered various threats which required EOD to intervene to perform removal procedures.

Tech. Sgt. Kyle Spalding, EOD Training NCOIC, stated that these exercises translate into real-world scenarios.

"During combat operations, while deployed to other areas of the world, EOD must work hand in hand with its dedicated security element," said Spalding. "While EOD's main mission is to render safe and dispose of dangerous explosive devices and munitions, they must first reach the location of such devices. While en-route to the device location EOD and its security element can encounter hostile enemy fire and other improvised explosive devices. Training with other units to react and adapt to these situations ensures personnel are ready, should they encounter hostile enemy fire."

Organizing these types of multi-squadron exercise scenarios can be a challenge. Members had various levels of familiarity with the tasks that were being asked to perform. Despite these challenges, participants thought very highly of the exercise.

"The training event seemed to come together quite well and a lot of training points were met," said Spalding. "I believe many new personnel were able to get some experience into what operations can be like in a combat scenario."

Members of the EOD squadron are working to ensure training like is this is an annual joint training event for many squadrons in the wing, with the desire to improve on and keep the scenarios as close to real-world combat maneuvers as possible 

"You can't do it by yourself," said Petrulis. "That's what makes this training so realistic."