EOD shoots with local sheriffs

Photo By Staff Sgt. Stuart Bright | An Airman from the 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal team fires the M-107 .50 Caliber sniper rifle at the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Department range in Benton, La., Sept. 26, 2018. The sniper rifle has an effective range of 1,850 feet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stuart Bright)  

BENTON, LA, UNITED STATES

09.28.2018

Story by Senior Airman Stuart Bright 

2nd Bomb Wing

Members of the 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal team trained with the Bossier Parish Sheriff Department (BPSD) in Benton, La. Sept. 27, 2018.

The joint event kept EOD up to training standards while promoting teamwork and a continuing partnership between Barksdale and local law enforcement.

EOD training programs include, at minimum, Weapons Tactics Training in primary weapons which include the M-240 B machine gun and M-107 .50 Caliber sniper rifle, said Senior Master Sgt. Cary Gibson, 2nd EOD flight chief.

“This training includes weapons and tactics like the ones we are being taught at the training academy,” Gibson said. “It is very important for EOD operators to be comfortable using their weapons in a tactical environment.”

A healthy relationship with law enforcement benefits Team Barksdale and local deputies.

“We like to give our knowledge, but also receive Barksdale’s so we can apply it to our duties,” said BPSD Maj. Bruce Teutsch, director of the training academy.

Sharing each other’s experience not only expands their capabilities, but also allows them to work fluidly together if there was ever a major incident on or off base.

“We rely on each other,” Gibson said. “There may be a time where we will call on them for an aircraft crash or they call on us for an explosive related event downtown.”

While the 2nd EOD and BPSD wear different uniforms, the same thing binds them together to train side-by-side and become better at their profession.

“It’s all a matter of keeping our country safe,” Teutsch said.

• Date Taken: 09.28.2018
• Date Posted: 09.28.2018 16:42
• Story ID: 294927
• Location: BENTON, LA, US