2nd EOD works hard, wins first place

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sydney Campbell
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  

The 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal team won the first ever Air Force Global Strike Command EOD Team of the Year competition at Ellsworth Air Force Base, N.D., Aug. 17, 2018.

Seven teams consisting of three Airmen represented bases across AFGSC. These teams completed 10 different events during the competition, including running dismount missions, rendering safe improvised-explosive devices and both U.S. and foreign chemical munitions.

Staff Sgt. Buck Taylor, 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron EOD team lead, along with team members, Staff Sgt. J Michael Smith and Senior Airman Colton Dubose represented Barksdale.

“We had about two months to train for the competition,” Taylor said. “We were given a very broad idea of what to expect. We had to refine and enhance our skills in every avenue of our career field. And these were the perfect Airmen for the job.”

 This opportunity allowed the team to showcase their skills and branch out of their day-to-day operations.

“Competitions like this are very important to the career field as a whole,” Taylor said. “Being able to compete against different bases and units allows you to do and see new things, including different equipment that may not be readily available at your current duty location. It also brings EOD technicians together to share knowledge and experience.”

 Whether it’s at home or away, these Airmen constantly refine their skills and procedures to ensure they’re ready for anything.

“Our guys spend a quarter of the year away from home due to temporary deployments,” said Capt. John Sambo, 2nd CES EOD flight commander. “Add a full six-month deployment and they’re gone even more. All their work is validated and rewarded through a competition like this. They work hard and deserve this award for how they performed at the competition and at work every day.”

The team will now go on to represent the Air Force EOD career field in Washington D.C., where they will to talk to U.S. leaders about their capabilities and hurdles.

“After winning the Air Force Global Strike Command Team of the Year competition, the team was nominated to travel to the Pentagon on behalf of the EOD career field,” Taylor said. “We will brief senators, congressmen and other political officials about our gear, operations, personal experiences, the importance of our career field and limiting factors.”

With the first AFGSC EOD Team of the Year award under their belt, the 2nd EOD will continue to train and work hard for any task that may come their way. Including next year’s competition, which is schedule to be held at Barksdale.