Cooperation proves a blast
Explosive ordnance technicians compare notes in Middle East

Warrant Officer Paul Dowdle (left), an explosive ordnance disposal technician from the 382 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley explains features of a remote-controlled robot to US Air Force personnel, Tech. Sgt. Stormy Baird (centre) and Senior Airman Joshua Byrd (right). Photo by MAJ Robert Couse-Baker

By MAJ Robert Couse-Baker

IN a hot, dusty compound in the Middle East, three explosive ordnance disposal technicians, one from Australia and two from the United States, compared notes, planned for mutual support and symbolised the spirit of the global war on terrorism.

Warrant Officer Paul Dowdle, an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician from No. 382 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron, said that working with his US counterparts during his teams recent time in the MEAO was of great mutual benefit.

“We may have the same mission, but we have different experiences. It broadens our horizons to have an understanding of how Coalition EOD elements conduct operations,” WOFF Dowdle said.

“We were able to share advice and expertise and see what equipment and capabilities we have. They certainly had some ideas for us, but by the same token we gave them some ideas, too.”

Tech Sergeant Stormy Baird, an EOD technician deployed with the USAF 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, said: “whenever EOD people get together, we mesh together as a team”.

Owing to the unforgiving nature of their work, EOD technicians gain much from the experience of others. Making a device safe involves working a job on many levels, “often mechanical, electrical, chemical and organisational - all at the same time,” SGT Baird said.

Senior Airman Joshua Byrd, also with the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, said: “You can approach a problem so many different ways, but you have to pick the right way for each job. And that’s why it’s so important to learn about the experiences of other techs.”

Teamwork had always been an EOD trademark, SGT Baird said.

“This is the standard across the services and across nationalities,” he said.

The USAF EOD personnel had been deployed to WOFF Dowdle’s location in support of Coalition operations while other RAAF EOD personnel were temporarily deployed elsewhere in the MEAO.

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