A Soldier of Adaptability

Photo By Sgt. Grant Ligon | KFOR Task Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal team member Spc. George Purdy prepares the electrical blasting caps at the EOD range, Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Nov. 21. This was the first demolition operation conducted at the new range. The EOD teams experimented with various water-based charges and explosive effects. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Grant Ligon)  

CAMP BONDSTEEL, KOSOVO

11.21.2019

Story by Spc. Grant Ligon 

40th Public Affairs Detachment

Adaptability is a mission essential characteristic of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. The EOD tech must identify factors inside of problems, procedures and tools that meet the diverse situations they encounter.
TF EOD utilized the new Camp Bondsteel demolition range by hosting scenario-based lanes for international counterparts, including the EOD teams from Kosovo Security Forces, Moldova, Ukrainian and Denmark at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, Nov. 20-21.
This event allowed for TF EOD team member Spc. George Purdy to work on his leadership skills by directing the teams, assisting in building the problem Improvised Explosive Devices and their placement. Purdy helped set up the scenario-based lanes and communicate procedures.
“This event provides us a chance to see what kind of tactics, techniques and procedures our international partners are using and vice versa,” Purdy said.
The range offered an opportunity to further individual unit development. The EOD community discussed areas of interests. This led to using blast effects as well as experimenting with various water-based charges at the range. The outcome allowed Soldier development across the units.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Thompson, TF EOD NCOIC, said the range was a good opportunity for Purdy to work on his leadership, skills and strengths.
“Purdy is unique,” Thompson said. “He is constantly searching for ways to improve himself, his team and the organization.”
Thompson said that an EOD specialist is an interesting position of rank. A two-person EOD team is the focal point of all EOD missions. The team leader has many responsibilities and works autonomously, away from any direct leadership in most cases.
In Thompson’s experience, EOD specialists have responsibilities, whose demands far exceed specialists of other military occupations.
“Purdy’s energy, personality, desire to improve the organization and enterprising spirit makes him a special person to have on any mission,” Thompson said. “He goes far beyond what we would expect of any EOD team member because of his personality.”
The August KFOR Soldier of the Month, Purdy also recently graduated from Basic Leader Couse in October and will be promoted to sergeant by Dec. 1, 2019. He is working on shifting his skillset to more leadership responsibilities.
“I look forward to begin my team leader certification and participate in more demolition ranges,” Purdy said.
The team leader certificate is a process EOD team members must go through to become a team leader and eventually take charge of their own team.
An integral part of the KFOR mission, TF EOD is responsible for locating and diffusing unexploded ordnance, identifying bomb threats and securing the Regional Command – East’s area of operations for all Soldiers and the people of Kosovo.

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• Date Taken: 11.21.2019
• Date Posted: 11.26.2019 08:57
• Story ID: 353465
• Location: CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ