EOD technicians run 5K in bomb suits for good cause

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EOD technicians run 5K in bomb suits for good cause

Posted 1/1/2011

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1/1/2011 - Explosive ordnance technicians in 85-pound bomb suits and their supporters are off and running in a 5 km race Dec 31, 2010, at the Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan. The purpose of the run was to raise funds and awareness for the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation and the EOD Memorial at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jerome Baysmore)

Comments

1/19/2011 7:03:33 PM ET
The Chief's point about perceptions is well taken. In this case I believe any real concerns have been adequately addressed in the comments posted by my esteemed colleagues and others. However I wanted to go on record by saying that as the HQ AFCENT EOD functional manager I endorsed and personally promoted this event throughout the AOR. I'm very proud of our EOD Airmen who were able to step up to the challenge and raise awareness for our wounded and fallen EOD brothers and sisters. And as long as I'm their Chief I'll continue to support and promote this honorable tradition within the AOR. I'm easy to find in the AF global if there are any additional questions or concerns. Thanks for all the great comments. The whole idea was to raise awareness and we've certainly done that here. Stay safe.

CMSgt Jerry S. Shelton, Shaw AFB SC

1/6/2011 4:48:54 PM ET
CMSgt Ret Wiscosin, with all due respect, I doubt that the first thought that goes through our taxpayers' minds when they see something like this and read the cause it is for is how much is that suit going to cost me when they wear it out from running. Honestly, this is pretty light duty for the suit when you consider what all it withstands doing its job in the desert. Running 300 meters in this suit is something most people would have trouble with, let alone 3 miles These Airmen should be commended for their feat, not scolded.

EOD Chick, Nellis AFB

1/5/2011 9:32:20 AM ET
SrA Horne, As usual if a Chief wants the correct answer to a question he goes straight to the pointy end of the sword and bypasses the functionaries. Thanks. Remember these are the questions which the taxpaying public first think about when they see these articles in a public forum. As a former MXS Super these are the sort of questions we fielded from the public quite often.

CMSgt Ret., Wisconsin

1/4/2011 11:47:24 PM ET
Chief, while the end cost of the suits is quite high, your concerns were taken in to account far before the run was conducted. The suits that we ran in are past the expiration date and not operationally viable. The event was no different than ruck sacks or boots issued by the military that are used in similiar events, accept those items are generally still considered serviceable.

SrA Ian Horne-Mullins, Manas AB

1/4/2011 10:20:20 PM ET
CMSgt Ret. Wisconsin, These EOD warriors put their lives on the line every time they respond to a call. Here they are raising money for those EOD warriors who were hurt during one of those dangerous responses. For you to comment on this page and falsely accuse them of fraud, waste and abuse is a gesture unbecomeing a ret. CMSgt. These bomb suits are not one-time use and I assure you they will be in full operational use after the run. So instead of accusing them of FWA, you should be congratulating them for accomplishing somenthing not many people can do. Keep up the good work guys and God Bless.

SSgt Active EOD, S.W. Asia

1/4/2011 10:18:40 PM ET
Chief Ret, EOD troops ran this 5K in rememberance of their fallen Airman who gave their life for our country...

Deployed, Afghanistan

1/4/2011 9:00:53 PM ET
With respect, chief, you will note the Airmen are in running shoes. Having seen these suits in action I would say I doubt that any wear and tear will occur as a result of this action. These are Airmen supporting Airmen.

Jim H ret colonel, Omaha

1/4/2011 5:38:17 PM ET
CMSgt ret. As an 18 yr EOD technician who has worn this suit during hundreds of IED missions and also has run a 5K in it, I assure you there is no waste or abuse seen here. The suit is made to endure much more arduous conditions then a 45-minute jaunt around Manas Transit Center. The physical endurance to accomplish such a feat is no small effort and helps EOD operators understand their limitations in the suit. This is extremely important as EOD operators must be ready to move to cover extremely fast when under fire while disarming IEDs in some of the worst places on Earth. Furthermore, no one knows the importance of equipment maintenance and care more than EOD operators. When stranded in the most remote places in Afghanistan, EOD techs understand the robots, bomb suits, weapons and their bodies are the tools that are needed to achieve mission success. But to answer your question, the bomb suit costs approx $15K.

MSgt David Larriva, Hurlburt Field

1/4/2011 5:34:22 PM ET
CMSgt Ret. Wisconsin, although I can respect that you have an opinion on the matter, I believe it to be uninformed and potentially inflammatory. My first counterpoint I would like to draw attention to is that the runners are not wearing the bootiecovers which are the one part of the suit that would receive the most wear and tear. Therefore it is evident that they were aware of your concern and already minimized any potential adverse effects caused by this event. I can also assure you from personal experience that these suits by design are rugged and fabricated to withstand the most extreme conditions such as the 130 degree temperatures of Iraq, not to mention the detonation of explosives in close proximity of the suit. My other counterpoint is that although the stated purpose was raise funds and awareness, the unstated purpose is to physically and mentally prepare these Airmen for the extreme conditions they will be expected to endure at some point during their careers.

MSgt EOD Active, MacDill AFB

1/4/2011 4:11:16 PM ET
What is the end-item cost of these suits and how much unnecessary and premature wear was incurred by this albeit noble gesture? Commanders and equipment managers should be more conscious and aware of the taxpayers' expense in these adventures and err on the side of caution to prevent waste and abuse.

CMSgt Ret., Wisconsin

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