EOD, local sheriffs partner to sharpen first response skills

A simulated improvised explosive device lurks near the site of a joint training mission between members of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight, June 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. An IED is a bomb constructed and employed in ways that differ from conventional military action. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman John Nieves Camacho)

EOD, local sheriffs partner to sharpen first response skills

Airman 1st Class Dale Janik, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician, secures a Med-Eng EOD 9 bomb suit helmet on Chris Best, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputy, during a joint training exercise, June 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. The training exercise was held to ensure maximum efficiency between EOD Airmen and the WCSO in a real situation involving explosives. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman John Nieves Camacho)

EOD, local sheriffs partner to sharpen first response skills

Master Sgt. Tracy Passerotti, 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal flight NCO in charge, provides an overview of events for members of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office as part of a joint training exercise, June 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. The talk informed members of the WCSO what EOD’s capabilities are and how to request their assistance. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman John Nieves Camacho)

EOD, local sheriffs partner to sharpen first response skills

Chris Best, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputy, performs pull-ups in a Med-Eng EOD 9 bomb suit during a joint training exercise, June 17, 2015, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina. The EOD bomb suit provides modular protection and operational flexibility for EOD technicians during chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman John Nieves Camacho)

EOD, local sheriffs partner to sharpen first response skills

Published June 24, 2015
By Senior Airman John Nieves Camacho
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The 4th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal team invited members of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office to their facility for unexploded ordnance training, June 17.

Although first responders, including law enforcement personnel, are trained and equipped to handle nearly every type of emergency, UXO disposal is traditionally left to EOD Airmen.

During the training exercise, Airmen imparted some of their knowledge by conducting briefings for the officers and educating them on multiple topics, including EOD capabilities and how to request support. With this knowledge, officers will be better equipped to handle situations involving UXOs.

"We support the local community as one of the facets of our mission," said Master Sgt. Tracy Passerotti, 4th CES EOD flight NCO in charge. "By getting together now and ironing out what we can and can't respond to, as well as explaining the procedures to getting us on scene, it allows us to be better prepared when something does go wrong. That way, the first time we are meeting and discussing capabilities isn't while an emergency is happening. We'll have already done our homework and made sure we are ready to go."

The EOD shop is filled with technical experts trained to handle live explosives on a daily basis.

EOD technicians are able to detect, identify, render safe, recover and dispose of ordnance and explosives that are hazardous, including conventional military ordnance, criminal and terrorist homemade devices and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons.

"The message of the training was received and a lot of good questions and interest were generated," Passerotti said. "These guys are really knowledgeable as to what goes on in Wayne County."

Following a tour of the EOD facility, Airmen led members of the WCSO out to the explosive training range, where they normally conduct hands-on field training exercises. The time on the range expanded their knowledge about multiple tools EOD personnel use during missions, including the F6-A EOD robot.

"We conduct full-spectrum EOD support training, including everything from peace time improvised explosive device training to wartime chemical operation training," Passerotti said. "Whether it is contingency training or the base support mission here, we touch on as much as we can out there."

Lewis Garner, WCSO deputy, said the training was beneficial to the patrolmen, and provided hands-on experience of situations officers might encounter.

"We have an ongoing partnership with the military because they are the ones that are going to respond to situations involving unexploded ordnance," Garner said. "We have the privilege of having Seymour Johnson AFB in our county. We are going to call the experts, and EOD Airmen are those experts."