Patriot Warrior Exercise Puts EOD Techs to the Test

The following is a release from Senior Airman Daniel Liddicoet, 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs:

The hazardous nature of a career as an explosive ordinance disposal technician requires continuous training to maintain the mental acuity required to shoulder a daunting and hazardous mission.

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During the Patriot Warrior exercise at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, Reserve technicians from the 446th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD flight from McChord Field, Wash., recently undertook an exclusive brand of instruction to keep them on their toes in preparation for challenges they could face while serving downrange.

Patriot Warrior is the Air Force Reserve Command portion of an immense joint field exercise involving nearly 6,000 Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers, and multinational forces. Formerly known as Global Medic, the exercise still focuses primarily on aeromedical evacuation training and readiness, but has evolved to become more multi-faceted.

Four of McChord’s EOD technicians traveled to Wisconsin in order to capitalize on the specialized training offered by Fort McCoy’s state-of-the-art facilities.

“I’ve never participated in a training exercise that goes through all the iterations of an actual deployment like we have here,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Blanch, a 446th EOD technician. “We rarely have …read more

Source:: Tactical Life