JB MDL EOD deployment photos

Technical Sgt. Peter Arbelo, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, took this photo of an explosion caused by an improvised explosive device detonated by a robot in Afghanistan. The team often uses robots to gather information on and detonate IEDs to help ensure the safety of deployed servicemembers and Afghan civilians in the area. (Courtesy photo)

JB MDL EOD deployment photos

Technical Sgt. Peter Arbelo, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron explosion ordnance disposal technician, searches the scene of an improvised explosive device attack in Afghanistan for clues as to who made the device, what materials were used to make it and how it was detonated. While deployed, Arbello and fellow EOD technicians often respond to reports of IEDs targeted at convoys and use various tools such as robots to disable or detonate the devices. (Courtesy photo)

Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams answer the call

Published Sept. 1, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Since the terrorist's attacks on 9/11, the Air Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal mission has changed drastically in a very short period of time.

"Pre-9/11, AF EOD technicians generally received calls for unexploded ordnances on the flight line," said Staff Sgt. Brian Buhrer, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordinance Disposal technician. "Post-9/11 EOD technicians are constantly being deployed in support of ground combat forces responding to improvised explosive devices, performing route clearance patrols and gathering evidence and intelligence from post blast sites."

With operations continuing in Afghanistan, the joint base Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team is one of many units performing more dismounted operations than ever before.

The AF EOD mission in Afghanistan sometimes requires technicians to travel on foot with equipment sometimes in excess of 65 lbs for many miles over rugged terrain. AF EOD technicians are battling the elements, searching for and destroying IEDs and doing so with the threat of enemy fire looming over their heads.

"When we receive a call for an IED that doesn't mean the area we are responding to is secure," said Tech. Sgt. Peter Arbelo, 87th CES EOD technician. "The enemy sets up devices to blow up coalition forces and we are there to dispose of these devices. That is our mission."

When not deployed, the EOD team is responsible for all unexploded ordnance, suspect packages and aircraft explosive hazards found at JB MDL. In addition, they have numerous support agreements with ANG and Reserve units in the tri-state area. The team also supports local authorities by disposing of military munitions in the New Jersey area, southern New York and eastern Pennsylvania; they have even responded to calls in Niagara Falls.

When asked what a regular day for an EOD technician is, the EOD team laughed as if it was a joke.

"Well today we are catching up on paperwork and last week the office seemed empty because of the local calls we are responding to," said Buhrer.

"We try and stick to a regular five-day-a-week schedule, but that never seems to be the case," said Arbelo.

An on-call response team is in place to respond to calls 24 hours a day. The team must respond to calls on base within 30 minutes during the duty day and 90 minutes after hours and on weekends. Responses to the local area and supported units take longer depending on drive time.

To become an EOD technician, a servicemember must complete a 9-month-long school. This is a joint service school run by the Navy and located at Eglin AFB, Fla. The school provides servicemembers with the knowledge needed to identify, render safe and dispose of explosives and explosive hazards of all kinds, including conventional military munitions, chemical munitions, aircraft explosive hazards, improvised explosive devices and nuclear weapons.