EOD Airmen focus on resiliency, safety Published Nov. 22, 2011 By Staff Sgt Stephenie Wade 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs Scott Air Force Base, Ill. -- Every day, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airmen put their lives on the line to defend against an enemy referred to as Improvised Explosive Device or IED. On Nov. 14, the 375th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD flight took a tactical pause in operations to participate in the 4th Annual Air Force-wide EOD Safety Day. The training focused on safety, tactics, techniques, procedures and family readiness. "Safety is the most important aspect of everything we do," said Tech. Sgt. Steven Nidzgorski, 375th EOD flight chief. "You always want to do things the safest way possible; this day allows everyone in our flight to practice that." The day began at 6 a.m. with a morale-building 10K run around the flightline. Afterwards, EOD members gathered to review explosive safety programs and operation risk management principles specific to their career field. Most EOD learning aids are classified, but the shop still used the descriptions and photos of past missions to help EOD personnel learn how to operate when they encounter an IED. "The story boards give you the five 'W's' (who, what, when where, why) and recommendations from each team," he said. "Every mission you go out on, you have to make a story board--it helps us afterwards. It's the individual experiences that allow us to learn the most." Following the barbecue lunch, were resiliency, mental health, chaplain briefings and an added focus--casualty and recovery care. David Lewis, Air Force recovery care coordinator for region 13--Indiana, Illinois and Missouri--briefed the EOD flight on the Comprehensive Recovery Plan or "Life Map." The RCC plan helps identify the needs and lay out a path to enable Airmen and their families reach their goals during their three phases of recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration. "Think of the RCC as the Airman and family's own command center--someone who helps make sure their needs are being met by the right person in the right place and on time while down range and upon arrival back home," Lewis said. Lewis said there are different steps in each phase: The recovery phase begins immediately upon an injury or illness and a family liaison officer or RCC coordinator is assigned to help with emergency travel orders, and family needs such as lodging, meals, transportation, finance or chaplain services. The rehabilitation phase assists the patient and family with inpatient or outpatient care, rehab programs, TRICARE, disability evaluation system, medical boards, and transition services. In this stage RCCs work with Airmen and their families to develop the CRP and put it into action. The reintegration phase helps Airman and their families prepare for return to duty, separation or retirement; relocation and transition back to civilian life and provide ongoing review and support to identify additional needed services and resources if necessary. "The goals and needs contained within the CRP are determined by the Airman with input from the family members, the RCC and recovery team members," Lewis said. Since 2005, the 375th CES EOD flight has encountered two casualties. Altogether, 17 EOD Airmen lost their lives in combat operations, 14 have been seriously injured and more than 90 have received one or more Purple Hearts according to Pentagon records. "The job can be stressful. You don't notice as much when you're deployed but more when you come home," said Nidzgorski. Casualty care is not the first thing on their minds when they return home and sometimes the last thing anyone wants to recall. "We don't really want to focus on that aspect of our job," Nidzgorski said, "But with the amount of people we have had injured, the last thing you want to have is someone get hurt and no one know what to do which is why today is important." Those eligible for the Recovery Care program include seriously wounded, ill or injured Airmen who are unlikely to return to duty within a specified amount of time and may be medically separated from the military. Airmen who need support from an RCC, may self-refer, or be referred at any point by command staff, medical or non-medical support, Wounded Warrior Program personnel, or a family member.