Defusing the situation: Team Dover EOD

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Morgan
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  From the Delmarva Peninsula to the mountains of Afghanistan to a park in Botswana, the footsteps of Team Dover's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team can be found on almost every continent.

Whether they are traveling with the President of the United States, disposing of antique and possibly deadly military munitions recovered from the ocean, or rendering roadside bombs safe in contingency operations overseas, the men and women of Team Dover EOD keep motivated by one thought - they get rid of something that could take a life.

This motivation pushes them to accomplish nine percent of the Air Force EOD mission while comprising less than two percent of the manpower - making Team Dover's EOD a force multiplier with a global reach.

Their exploits will be examined in 'Defusing the situation,' - a series about the training, tactics and trials of one of the Air Force's riskiest jobs.

Walking up to the office of Team Dover's EOD offers a different experience than most. Outside the office are inert Mk-82 500 pound bombs and a door you have to ring for entry. Most would expect a greeting from a bunch of muscle-bound wild-eyed bomb technicians or the stereotypical jock. However, that is not the case.

While there is an aura of confidence with EOD members, there is not a lack of professionalism or intelligence to be found within their ranks. Senior Airman Ben McGovern is a semester away from his bachelor's degree in accounting, he volunteers in the local community and he finds innovative procedures to cut down man-hours around the shop. He is only one example of 21 members on the team.

"My team is filled with the most intelligent, highly motivated and confident individuals I have ever seen," said Capt. John Fuson, EOD flight commander with the 436th Civil Engineer Squadron.

Team Dover's EOD team is what is referred to as a force multiplier, which is defined by the Department of Defense as a capability that, when added to and employed by a combat force, significantly increases the combat potential of that force and thus enhances the probability of successful mission accomplishment.

From the White House to the Ocean City, Md., Bomb Squad, Team Dover's EOD force multiplying ability is in high demand.

Their members cover five critical mission sets: Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center support, conventional military munitions disposal on the Delmarva Peninsula, Very Important Persons Protection Support Activities for the Secret Service, training for war, and deploying.

"Each mission has its own plans, procedures, and risks, and there is no room for breakdown," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Adjoodani, EOD technician with the 436th CES. "Our motto is 'initial success or total failure.'"

According to Team Dover's EOD team, they take this motto very seriously, which is shown at their training grounds. Their typically lighthearted attitude at the office transforms into a serious demeanor at the range.

The EOD range is where their story begins, at training.