Exercise tests EOD skills Published June 16, 2006 By Capt. Stan Paregien 932nd AW Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. 6/16/06 -- -- Members of the 932nd Airlift Wing explosive ordnance disposal shop recently conducted a test using the JROD tool. Maj. Jason Birch, 932nd EOD chief, said, “JROD stands for Jet Remote Opening Device, and it uses the pressure of water to open small packages remotely. The more tools and training we have at our disposal, the better the outcome will be and the less hindrance improvised explosive devices or other items will be to the mission; the quality of the operation is going to be proportional to the skills of the Airmen involved.” It propels water toward the package. A 50 caliber charge in the back end of the pipe shoots the water forward at incredibly high pressure. Training is the key to success in the EOD career. His Airmen go to a two week preparation school at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas before heading out for the intense seven and a half month school at Eglin AFB, Fla. Major Birch pointed out that explosive ordnance disposal work involves a lot of problem solving. “When an IED is placed by an adversary, you have to be a problem solver in order to realize there is an enemy out there and you need to defeat not only what they laid in wait for you, but also the tactics they’re trying to use, and that way, you keep yourself safe,” said Major Birch. “Knowing the toolbox the bad guys have, we can take the appropriate action to do the things we need to do to neutralize their threat so the mission can continue,” he said.