EOD honors fallen with memorial challenge

Photo By Senior Airman Racheal Watson | Winners of the explosive ordnance disposal memorial challenge were awarded medals for at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia May 2, 2015. Awards were presented to the fastest participants in three categories: team, male individual and female individual. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Racheal E. Watson/Released)  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.02.2015

Story by Senior Airman Racheal Watson 

386th Air Expeditionary Wing

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION - Airmen from the 386th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal hosted a memorial challenge to remember the sacrifice EOD service members made and to raise awareness for the EOD Warrior Foundation at an undisclosed location May 2, 2015.

The foundation provides the active-duty, veterans, injured or ill EOD community with four pillars of support, to include emergency financial relief, education, EOD Memorial care, and hope and wellness. National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day is a U.S. observance held the first Saturday in May, recognizing professionals who risked their lives disposing of explosives.

“It’s more than just a race,” said Senior Airman Jeff Glover, a 386th CES EOD journeyman. “It’s about remembering those EOD techs that came before us who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

“It gives me a great sense of pride, not allowing my brothers and sisters who sacrificed so much to be forgotten,” said Staff Sgt. John Mitchell, a 386th CES EOD journeyman. “This [challenge] is the least I could do besides hold myself and my team to the highest of standards.”

According to the Air Force EOD Memorial website, 32 Air Force EOD warriors have fallen since World War II.

“We choose to enter situations in which the most highly trained, motivated and equipped operators in the United States Military refuse to go,” said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Schroeder, a 386th CES EOD flight chief. “We pass the hotline, enter ground zero, break the cordon, take that long lonely walk and we do it fully aware that we may not return.”

With progression-in-rank and experience gained, team members become trusted team leaders. In this role, leaders are tasked to lead a team of Airman through operations that no sane individual would willingly enter.

“National EOD day isn't just a day for us to let loose and throw a party or to get publicity, it's a day of solemn remembrance,” said Schroeder. “Not only that, it is a day that each and every one of us recommits ourselves, not just to the mission or to the Air Force, but to every other person who shares the responsibility to clear the way so that others may do so safely.”

Note: The EOD Warrior Foundation is a non-profit organization and has no governmental status.

• Date Taken: 05.02.2015
• Date Posted: 05.06.2015 04:52
• Story ID: 162390
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)