Team Seymour EOD teams up with U.S. Marines

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Ken Boyton
  • 4th Fighter Wing

Working on bombs and explosives can be a nerve-racking task for anyone. To help ensure that they come out unscathed, explosive ordnance disposal technicians continuously train on various types of explosives.

On August 14 and 15, 2019, EOD technicians from the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, visited Seymour Johnson Air Force Base to train with the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD flight.

“These Marines don’t get a chance to stay familiar on aircraft explosive hazards or AEHs,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Carel, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD technician. “Some guys haven’t been able to train on a jet in years, maybe not even since EOD school. It was a great opportunity to share our knowledge.”

On the first day, the Marines were refamiliarized with the hazard areas on a jet, how to approach and operate under a jet, and how handle some of the munitions it carries.

“The Air Force and the Airmen are subject matter experts when it comes to dealing with aircraft and their ordnance,” said Marine Sgt. Patrick Recalde, 8th ESB EOD team member. “It’s great that we were able to come down here for this training.”

Recalde added that by getting this AEH refresher course, he and the rest of the team will be better prepared for deployments.

The next day focused on OCONUS deployed counter improvised explosive devices.

“It gave us a chance to share tactics, techniques and procedures. We operate differently than the Marines do,” Carel said.

Carel added it’s important for them to expand their knowledge on what could become life-saving information between branches

Marine Sgt. Justis Kosmoski spoke about the importance of sharing information.

“We are the SMEs of IEDs downrange, and we want to share everything we know about the enemies bomb-making skills and abilities,” said Kosmoski. “We want everyone to come back in one piece, and this relationship and comradery we’re building will help make that happen. We all had a great time, and I hope we can do it again soon.”