Lead the way: 375th CES sharpens readiness skills with joint field training exercise

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Corey Mitchell, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal journeyman, sets security during a field training exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 23, 2025. The 375th CES EOD team rucked from their building to their training site before conducting ordinance field training and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear scenarios with the 375 CES emergency management flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Rapert)

Lead the way: 375th CES sharpens readiness skills with joint field training exercise

U.S. Air Force Staff. Sgt Ethan Harlan, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management flight technician, detonates explosive material during a field training exercise at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 23, 2025. The EM flight collaborated with the 375th CES explosive ordinance disposal unit on an all-day training with explosive materials, biological warfare and field conditions they could experience in a deployed environment.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Rapert)

Lead the way: 375th CES sharpens readiness skills with joint field training exercise

From left: Senior Airman Hunter Wauschek, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal journeyman, Tech. Sgt. Robert Frey, 375th CES EOD journeyman, and Senior Airman John Morris, 375th CES EOD journeyman, pose for a photo during a field training exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 23, 2025. EOD collaborated with 375th CES emergency management to train on explosive ordinances and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Rapert)

Lead the way: 375th CES sharpens readiness skills with joint field training exercise

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Frey, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal journeyman, cuts detonation wire before connecting to an unexploded ordinance during a field training exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 23, 2025. Frey identified a simulated “Bouncing Betty,” a UXO that was connected to trigger a second explosion and neutralized the threat in the area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Rapert)

Lead the way: 375th CES sharpens readiness skills with joint field training exercise

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Robert Frey, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal journeyman, runs detonation wire during a field training exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 23, 2025. Frey acted as a team lead, providing training to his unit while ensuring the safety of everyone at the training site. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Rapert)

Lead the way: 375th CES sharpens readiness skills with joint field training exercise

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chad Hickson, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal journeyman, dons mission-oriented protective posture gear for a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear scenario during a field training exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 23, 2025. Hickson acted as a team lead for the exercise, providing leadership and training to the Airmen at the training site. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Rapert)

Lead the way: 375th CES sharpens readiness skills with joint field training exercise

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Turner, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman, collects samples during a field training exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 23, 2025. EM collaborated with the 375th CES explosive ordinance disposal unit to train on ordinance procedures and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Rapert)

Lead the way: 375th CES sharpens readiness skills with joint field training exercise

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Chad Hickson, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal journeyman, approaches a potential Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear scenario during a field training exercise on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 23, 2025. Hickson acted as a team lead for the exercise, providing leadership and training to the Airmen at the training site. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Rapert)

Lead the way: 375th CES sharpens readiness skills with joint field training exercise

A warning sign is posted at the 375th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordinance disposal training site on Scott Air Force base during a field training exercise July 23, 2025. EOD collaborated with the 375 CES emergency management flight for an all-day training event to practice skills needed in a deployed location.(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Shelby Rapert)

Lead the way: 375th CES sharpens readiness skills with joint field training exercise

Published July 24, 2025
By Senior Airman Shelby Rapert
375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --

Members from the 375th Civil Engineer Squadron’s explosive ordnance disposal and emergency management flights conducted a Joint field training exercise at the EOD training site on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, July 23, 2025.

The team began their day with a 2-mile ruck from the EOD building to the site at 4:30 a.m. while executing various tactical movements. The integrated exercise allowed EM Airmen to embed with EOD teams and vice versa, strengthening cross-functional readiness in explosive ordnance disposal and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response. The teams executed roughly 40 controlled detonations throughout the day while rotating through a variety of scenario-based missions designed to sharpen technical proficiency and improve inter-flight coordination.