Photo By Spc. Deborah Ledesma | SOUTHWEST ASIA (September 6, 2006) --- About 10,000 pounds of explosives are detonated...... read more read more
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by Spc. Debrah A. Robertson
40th PAD
SOUTHWEST ASIA (September 6, 2006) --- As the sun rises over another day in Kuwait and the thick summer air begins to accumulate into a stagnate heat, the Soldiers of the 75th Explosive Ordnance Company are up and moving. Each morning, the EOD unit begins its day by preparing its gear, said Sgt. Todd Rininger, a
75th team member.
Every detail is important, he said. Is the equipment operational? Is all the gear accounted for?
"There is no time to waste at an ordinance site. The time on target must be minimal," said Rininger, a New Paris, Pa., native. "The quicker the unit can get in and out, the less exposed they are to enemy forces. You never know.
"Things can change on a moments notice, and [the 75th] must be prepared for that," he continued. "That's why the 75th is always prepared for anything, and it's all about safety."
A mission is not accomplished until they know that everyone is safe, that every piece of equipment is there, said Rininger. "Relief is found in getting back safe."
Safety seems to be of the utmost importance to the 75th.
"Therefore we are all [safety officers]," said Rininger. "We know how the ordnances work and knowing allows us to get down to the ordnance and take care of the problem."
Like US Army Central, the 75th supports Operation Iraqi Freedom, said Staff Sgt. Joel Baker, another member of the 75th.
One of the 75th's missions is to get to the scene of a potential Improvised Explosive Device promptly and disarm it without an incident. They are in and out of the area so quickly that a lot of people do not know they were even there, continued Baker.
EOD is a large part of force protection for ARCENT and the 75th does its part to keep things running smoothly and everyone safe within the Third Army area of operations, said Rininger.
"These guys have a big responsibility when it comes down to being called out to [suspect IEDs]," said Sgt. Moises Cacique, maintenance noncommissioned officer in charge of the 75th EOD. "Their lives and other peoples lives are in jeopardy. It's a big responsibility."
"We keep the daily operations and [military] property safe from any hazards that may exist," said Spc. Ron Pearson, another member of the EOD team. "There are a lot of unexploded ordnances that could potentially harm or kill people. Our job is to keep everything safe so other people can continue with their missions."
"The basis for our whole training is safety. We go through about eight months of training with all the branches of the military, and those who can't adhere to the high EOD standards are weeded out," said Rininger. "Not everyone makes it. There are not a lot of volunteers for EOD training. It's a dangerous job."
"[Being here in Kuwait], I want to get as much experience as possible," said Rininger. "Kuwait is the basis of operation planning and logistics here [in theater], and we keep it safe."
"I want to learn and broaden my views on anything out there," said Pearson, a native of Fayetteville, N.C. "I am training to go up north when it's my turn."
"My goal is to take care of all my team members and make sure they all make it back [home] safe," said Baker, a Wilmington, N.C, native.
As the team completes their mission, checking all their gear and preparing for whatever comes next, the sun has peaked high above the desert, and begins its decent, ending another day, and another mission accomplished.
| Date Taken: | 09.06.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 09.08.2006 10:11 |
| Story ID: | 7678 |
| Location: | (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION) |
| Web Views: | 121 |
| Downloads: | 38 |
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