EOD flight executes safety down day

Published Nov. 29, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKHURST, N.J. -- Members of the 87th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight here observed an annual safety down day Nov. 21, 2012.

The event's goal was to cultivate flight members' resiliency and safety awareness while taking a break from regular operations and training across the entire career field.

"It's an opportunity to refocus on job safety and to take an introspective look at the flight," said Tech. Sgt. Peter Arbelo 87th CES/EOD operations and training noncommissioned officer.

The flight is no stranger to spending time with each other in both a professional and social environment.

"This is a really tight-knit flight," said Airman 1st Class Eli Marquez, 87th CES/EOD technician. "We all get together on a regular basis for barbeques and that sort of thing. Today, however, is a day to focus on our job here."

The flight had guests stop in throughout the day including Col. Elizabeth Eidal, 87th Mission Support Group commander.

"You all do great work and I'm proud of each of you," said Eidal. "You are part of a unique career field and it takes a lot to do what you do."

Marquez mentioned that the flight spend their time training when they are not responding to EOD related emergency. A portion of the training is going over story boards.

A story board is used to help layout a specific event or program. In this instance, EOD used a story board to run scenarios of real incidents that occurred in Afghanistan. The scenario is then disseminated throughout the entire career field to ensure each flight is aware of new enemy tactics.

"The story board portion of today allows us to look at some of the recent killed in action scenarios from other service," said Arbelo. "We highlight it, look at what happened to them and hopefully figure out ways to avoid something similar happening to us."

Each flight member said they take pride in their job and their team.

"Being an EOD tech means being part of a team that works together to make a safer environment for everyone," said Marquez.

Arbelo echoed his remarks.

"There is a strong sense of pride I get from this job," he said. "Without it, I don't think I would be able to put so much effort into my work."