Story and photos by Airman Edgar Grimaldo
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs January 14, 2022
Throughout the course of four days, the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team welcomed the Polish Army 16th Airfield Renovation Battalion EOD team to Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 13-17, 2021.
“Engineering dynamic partnerships with our North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies really allows us to learn how our allied nations think and practice,” said Airman 1st Class Matthew Haber, 786 CES EOD team lead. “This drives us to become expert operators in our field. Not only making us better as a flight, but allowing us to ensure air lethality and stay ready for any mission.”
U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Matthew Haber, 786th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal apprentice, gathers explosive shrapnel during post-blast analysis training at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 14, 2021. Conducting post-blast analysis allows Airmen to understand and become more familiar with different explosives as well as testing the consistency of the explosions.
While the exercises are normally held in Poland, the 786 CES EOD team had the opportunity to host the training this year for the first time.
“Exercises such as these are the driving force for strengthening relationships throughout NATO and building partnerships throughout Europe,” said Winter. “This is one of the ways we accomplish that. Not only do we go out and work and learn skills from them, but we also bring them out here to show them the way we do things, increasing interoperability.”
The battalion was given a refresher course on multiple skills, such as clearing runways, demonstrations on shape charges and post-blast courses to name a few. They also were sent through multiple scenarios in their kill house. The kill house is an intricate facility packed with a multitude of traps ranging from tripwires to light-sensitive traps.
“Working with the Polish has been very good and informative,” said Winter. “Their EOD program is relatively young and it’s interesting seeing how they are developing. They got here and hit the ground running.”
Members of the Polish Army’s 16th Airfield Renovation Battalion Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron conduct post-blast analysis during training at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 14, 2021. This was the first time the 786 CES Airmen hosted the Polish EOD team for training, which typically occurs in Poland.
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Christopher Cox, 786th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal team member, examines evidence from post-blast analysis at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 14, 2021. Examining evidence during post-blast analysis helps EOD technicians better understand what explosives were used.
(Left) U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron and members of the Polish Army’s 16th Airfield Renovation Battalion Explosive Ordnance Disposal team examine a blast zone during training at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 14, 2021. The four-day training covered multiple skills such as clearing runways and demonstrations on shape charges. Throughout the second day of training, the Polish EOD team conducted a post-blast analysis.
Junior Ensign Chor Blazej Basinski, Polish Army 16th Airfield Renovation Battalion Explosive Ordnance Disposal team leader, conducts post-blast analysis during training at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 14, 2021. While the exercises are normally held in Poland, the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD team had the opportunity to host the training this year for the first time.
A Polish soldier assigned to the 16th Airfield Renovation Battalion Explosive Ordnance Disposal team spectates the 786th Civil Engineering Squadron EOD team as they gather evidence to try and recreate an explosion during training at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 14, 2021. The Polish EOD team was given a refresher course on skills such as clearing runways, demonstrations on shape charges and post-blast courses to name a few. They were also sent through multiple scenarios in their kill house. The kill house is an intricate facility packed with a multitude of traps ranging from tripwires to light-sensitive traps.
(Left) U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Matthew Haber, 786th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal apprentice, gathers explosive shrapnel during post-blast analysis training at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 14, 2021. Conducting post-blast analysis allows Airmen to understand and become more familiar with different explosives as well as testing the consistency of the explosions.
A member of the Polish Army’s 16th Airfield Renovation Battalion Explosive Ordnance Disposal team dismantles tripwires in the EOD kill house during training with the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 16, 2021. The kill house can be packed with anywhere from 15-25 traps. This is done to put Airmen under immense pressure and test their resolve.
A member of the Polish Army’s 16th Airfield Renovation Battalion Explosive Ordnance Disposal team enters the kill house during training at Ramstein Air Base, Dec. 16, 2021. The kill house is an abandoned facility packed with traps ranging from tripwires to weight-sensitive plates designed to test members on core EOD competencies.
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