Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Airmen from the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight discuss the location of simulated unexploded ordnance during a training scenario at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 6, 2015. EOD training usually consists of deployed IED scenarios, mine detection and electronic countermeasures to ensure their fight tonight readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards)Airmen from the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight discuss the location of simulated unexploded ordnance during a training scenario at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 6, 2015. EOD training usually consists of deployed IED scenarios, mine detection and electronic countermeasures to ensure their fight tonight readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Airmen from the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight discuss the location of simulated unexploded ordnance during a training scenario at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 6, 2015. EOD training usually consists of deployed IED scenarios, mine detection and electronic countermeasures to ensure their fight tonight readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards)Airmen from the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight discuss the location of simulated unexploded ordnance during a training scenario at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 6, 2015. EOD training usually consists of deployed IED scenarios, mine detection and electronic countermeasures to ensure their fight tonight readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Airman 1st Class James Boyce, a 51st Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, inspects a simulated unexploded mortar round during a training scenario at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 6, 2015. EOD Airmen inspect UXOs to accurately determine the best way to either correctly disarm or detonate them in a controlled environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards)Airman 1st Class James Boyce, a 51st Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, inspects a simulated unexploded mortar round during a training scenario at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 6, 2015. EOD Airmen inspect UXOs to accurately determine the best way to either correctly disarm or detonate them in a controlled environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        A 51st Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician measures the diameter of a simulated unexploded mortar round during a training scenario at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 6, 2015. After finding unexploded ordnance, EOD stores them to perform controlled detonations in a secured area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards)A 51st Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician measures the diameter of a simulated unexploded mortar round during a training scenario at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Nov. 6, 2015. After finding unexploded ordnance, EOD stores them to perform controlled detonations in a secured area. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Travis Edwards)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Explosive threats no match for Osan EODPublished Dec. 6, 2015
                    
                    By Airman 1st Class Dillian Bamman
                    
                    
                    51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
            **OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) --**Whether a faulty 9 mm pistol round or a pipe bomb meant to cause harm, there is one shop that holds the responsibility of disarming and disposing of these dangerous objects.With their extensive and rigorous training, the Airmen from the 51st Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight protect the Airmen and families here from any explosive threat."Our primary mission is to keep the planes flying and the base safe," said Senior Airman Gabriel Baerwald, a 51st CES EOD technician. "In order to do that, we ensure the flightline is free of any (improvised explosive devices)."Upon notification of an explosive threat, an EOD team moves in to determine how to disarm the device or munition and disposes it as quick and safe as possible."When an (A-10 Thunderbolt II) or (F-16 Fighting Falcon) has a damaged rocket or if a crash occurs, we go out and alleviate any danger," Baerwald said.After finding and disabling an IED or unexploded ordnance, EOD stores them to later perform controlled detonations in a secured area.However, being so close to the explosives is a risk these battlefield Airmen take sometimes to ensure the safety of the base."Technology is always evolving, as well as our threats, so we have to improve our processes and equipment as well," Baerwald said. "Danger is to be expected in this line of work, so we need to be ready."To keep up with the demand of the Air Force, EOD uses top-tier equipment to keep Airmen out of harm's way while deployed or at home station. They use a wide array of tools to help them identify explosives and perform controlled detonations."We (can) use F-6A robots, Air Force medium-sized robots, (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles, and bomb suits to keep us safe during (bomb) disposal," Baerwald said.Even with all the tools and advanced technology available, the EOD flight still conducts annual safety stand-down days. This helps remove some of the worry that comes with the critical and dangerous mission these Airmen hold."We provide support to the airfield combat, so we need to look out for ourselves and each other," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Overton, the 51st CES EOD logistics section chief. "We host safety days to open the forum for Airmen to discuss and reassess past incidents in the career field."Along with safety, training is critical in a battlefield Airman's development, according to Overton. EOD training usually consists of deployed IED scenarios, mine detection and electronic countermeasures."Most (of our Airmen) are here for only a year, so we have to compress our training plans," Overton said. "This assignment can prove to be a challenge (due to the training aspects) for some because of the high ops tempo. But we have to remain vigilant for any situation."Since Osan Air Base holds the largest overseas unaccompanied housing and has a high operations tempo, the EOD flight's Airmen say they grow closer throughout the process."Our EOD shop here is a tight brotherhood," Baerwald said. "We train together and we fight together, which is why we get the mission done."At the end of the day, this brotherhood continues to provide a critical service for the safety and security of all Airmen.South Korea 



PACAF 



EOD 



training 



Osan AB Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF, CSAF, CMSAF begin Indo-Pacific trip focused on ACE
                    
                    DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fightInnovation
                F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing
                    
                    AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalistsMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil