Photo By Staff Sgt. Taylor Queen | An Airmen assigned to the 775th Civil Engineering Squadron, Explosive Ordnance...... read more read more
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HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – Dust clouds rose from the valley floor as members from the 775th Civil Engineer Squadron, Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, rode all-terrain vehicles toward the mountains, March 21.
The training, conducted high in the Rocky Mountains, was based on lessons and experiences learned from overseas deployments such as rucking with 80 pounds over 20 kilometers a day.
“All of the variables, the sun, the rough terrain, being hungry and tired; it all pushes home our training,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony Battaglino, EOD team member. “We are one of the tightest knit groups in the military, you have to be able to trust the man next to you, your lives are in each other’s hands.”
The training helped the team build confidence in areas such as Counter-Improvised Explosive Device, combat lifesaver and medevac 9-lines, all with limited supplies. EOD Airmen have learned that not only are they expected to be experts in C-IED, but also an expert rifleman, medic and mountaineer.
The team was faced with a total of four problems to include hiking to the tops of peaks, disposing of weapons caches and light disciplined night operations.
After riding all-terrain vehicles across the dusty valley they started the climb into the mountains, which is where they were met with their first problem; a suspected IED that was placed on a trail. Using the limited supplies they carried with them, they were able to remotely remove rocks covering the IED and expose the threat. Using specialized techniques the team successfully disarmed, removed and documented the IED and deemed the area safe.
“The altitude is similar, the terrain is similar; it helps us setup realistic scenarios that they are finding down range,” said Master Sgt. Kevin Hammer, EOD section chief. “We’ve made a lot of advances in our training and our equipment since the beginning of the war.”
After the team completed all four problems they set up camp on top of the mountain. The next morning the rising sun exposed a mountain side of scattered bivys. The team packed up, hopped on the all-terrain vehicles and began the ride back to base camp.
According to the 775th CES EOD team the training was a success and they have planes to upgrade and conduct more of this type of mountain warfare training to help prepare Airmen for what obstacles and challenges are thrown their way.
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.14.2014 16:38 |
| Story ID: | 125896 |
| Location: | HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UT, US |
| Web Views: | 283 |
| Downloads: | 4 |
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