EOD Badge and Skull created by Christopher Pearce and James Jones
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EOD Badge and Skull created by Christopher Pearce and James Jones |
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Play 'find the hot spot'--on each photo there is a small, hidden hot spot that will take you to another photo of that person. If you can't find them, click on the 'Hints' button at the bottom of the page. Good Luck.... Current Roster of Minot EOD When we are not out disarming bombs and other explosive hazards, or training to do the same, 5 EOD is functionally organized into two elements to provide daily support to the mission: Logistics and Operations. First, here's the current "Frozen Chosen" from the Logistics Element....
When TSgt Bill Eaton isn't standing in bomb craters looking suave and debonair, he's the Logistics Element boss. He cracks the whip pretty hard on his troops, keeping us supplied with all the explosives and highly specialized equipment that we need to perform the dangerous work of bomb disposal. Bill just got back from spending his fall vacation in Saudi Arabia supporting Operation DESERT THUNDER.
SSgt Brad Clemmons (right) runs the equipment side of the Logistics Element, pampering our equipment with all the care and attention of a doting father. Good thing too, since we depend on that equipment to save our lives. Brad just returned from Kuwait where he stood on the border with his trusty pocket knife thrust in front of him, holding off the invading hordes. SrA Joshua Albert (left) was such a successful prot�g�' of Brad's that Bill stole him to help cover the supply side of Logistics while another airman was deployed to Kuwait. Although Josh wasn't thrilled with the idea of working for Bill, we bribed him with a below-the-zone promotion to SrA. Congratulations Josh, you earned it. Josh is also in the desert--in Saudi Arabia with his trusty pocket knife thrust in front of him protecting us from Brad.
A1C Kristi Clark is one of our new crop of airman, graduating EOD school in February '98. We caught her on film here during her very first demolition operation in the career field, which is why she is smiling so big--happy to have passed the first litmus test of bomb squad work. She recently changed jobs from EOD equipment to EOD supply where her charming personality can be better utilized to get us the stuff we need to do our job. Kristi is the proud newlywed of Rob Dryman (below). Perhaps it is true what they say: the family that blows things up together, stays together.
The dangerous-looking bomb tech armed with a locked and loaded portable drill is SrA Ben Aster. Ben was caught here helping with a self-help project to improve our facility. He's laughing because he just drilled the drywall to his hand and can't figure out how to get it out yet. When he's not out performing EOD duties, Ben works in our equipment section. Probably because he's so adept with power tools. Ben recently donned his latest stripe, thanks to his below-the-zone promotion to SrA.
Now, here's the crew from the Operations side of the house.....
SSgt Jeff Monroe, shown here checking out some blasting caps for a demolition shot, works in our Operations section. He keeps us strait by planning, coordinating, and deconflicting the increasingly busy schedule of flight activities and bomb disposal operations. Jeff recently assumed the duties of chief, EOD Operations Element due to the recent departure of MSgt Todd jones (who recently left us to run his own EOD shop at Whiteman AFB) and is currently deployed to Saudi Arabia helping where he is, no doubt, reliving his pleasant memories of the Arizona desert.
The startlingly tall bomb technician on the right--actually, he's even taller than he looks here--is our very own SrA W. Eric Hubbard. We thought we were going to have to buy his bomb suit at the 'Big and Tall' shop downtown. While Eric was donning the bomb suit, we asked him to wait for a minute while we snapped a photo. With MSgt Jones zipping his, umm..., legs, he told us to take our time and snap as many photos as we like. One of Eric's first temporary duty assignments was to help clear unexploded ordnance from Hardwood bombing range in Wisconsin. He came through his first TDY as an Air Force Bomb squad technician with high marks, due to both the number of munitions he disposed of and the number of rounds he bought for the team at the local watering hole. When he is not out performing his EOD duties, he keeps busy in our Training Section, scheduling and coordinating the mammoth training workload typical of all bomb squad units. Eric was recently promoted below-the-zone to SrA.
SSgt Rob Dryman is in charge of our EOD Training section. Rob takes very seriously the job of ensuring the EOD team is trained since an under-trained bomb tech is a fatality waiting to happen. He also in charge of keeping Eric out of trouble--no mean feat. Rob is the very proud husband of Kristi (above). Here, he is getting some practice with the .50 cal Barret rifle during his '97 tour at Al Jabber AB in Kuwait.
Here's one of our newest additions to the Minot EOD family, A1C Joshua Singleton. Joshua is arriving on the demo range for his first EOD operation in the field--an emergency disposal of exuding dynamite. This was also Joshua's first experience behind the wheel of a HMMWV. Joshua is from Wisconsin and is still morning the slow demise of his beloved Packers. No, we wouldn't let him take his cheesehead hat on the range.
And, of course, our illustrious Flight Chief (and webmaster), MSgt Michael Smith. After hiding out in Europe for over a decade, he was finally dragged, kicking and screaming, back to the states. Despite the culture shock, his adjustment is almost complete and we expect him to be able to mingle in society with some form of normalcy soon. The charred and dazed look is not from a bomb blast--it's normal. Normal, that is, during a combat dining out--a traditional Air Force social function at which this photo was snapped. Mike is currently joining the gang in Saudi Arabia in an effort, no doubt, to escape the unpleasant North Dakota winter.
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