Photo By Lt.j.g. Andrew Carleen | Cheyenne, Wyo.,native, Maj. Ryan Loomis, receives a bronze star for accomplishments on...... read more read more
BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Cheyenne, Wyo., native, army Maj. Ryan Loomis, received his explosive ordnance disposal master badge on his most recent deployment to Afghanistan.
The EOD master badge is a symbol of professional excellence in the explosive ordnance community and takes years to earn.
Only after five years in EOD billets with a perfect safety record can an EOD officer receive his or her master badge.
“It’s a symbol of continued service and an ability to perform at a high level,” said Loomis. “ It puts you in a position to provide oversight for people at lower levels.”
Loomis, a 1997 graduate of Central High School, was commissioned through the ROTC program at the University of Idaho and entered the rigorous EOD training program upon graduation.
He has completed three year-long deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan serving as an EOD team leader, company executive officer, and company commander. He spent the first half of this most recent deployment conducting post-blast analysis in Kabul.
For the second half of the deployment, Loomis served as the officer in charge for the Combined Joint Task Force Paladin Theatre Explosives Exploitation cell.
“We’re responsible for theatre-wide exploitation of all captured enemy material in Afghanistan,” said Loomis. “We provide analysis of biometrics and aid in targeting IED perpetrators.”
In his capacity as OIC, Loomis managed seven labs across the country as well as 253 people comprised of U.S. military, contractors, coalition forces, and inter-agency employees.
“It was unique and challenging,” said Loomis. “Afghanistan probably has largest forensic modality footprint of any country in the world.”
On completion of this deployment, Loomis will be returning to Fort Carson, Colo. He hopes to attend graduate school at the University of San Diego and plans on pursuing a masters degree in homeland security.
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2012 01:05 |
| Story ID: | 90134 |
| Location: | BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF |
| Hometown: | CHEYENNE, WY, US |
| Web Views: | 344 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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