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1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 161222-PA067-003 Army Spc. Seth Hamilton, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist with the 741st EOD Company helps fellow team member Spc. Walter Pablo don protective equipment December 22 at the Warrior Skills Training Center at Camp Buehring, Kuw... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Specialist Walter Pablo, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist with the 741st EOD Company, sets clears a route in the first part of his scenario 22 December at the Warrior Skills Training Center at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. EOD team members ran thro... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 161222-PA067-002 Specialist Seth Hamilton, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist with the 741st EOD Company helps fellow team member Specialist Walter Pablo don protective equipment December 22 at the Warrior Skills Training Center at Camp Buehri... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Spc. Walter Pablo, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist with the 741st EOD Company, checks a tunnel entrance for indications that an explosive device is present 22 December at the Warrior Skills Training Center at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. EOD... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RELEASE No. 2016122816

December 28, 2016

EOD Warriors Train as They Fight

Sgt. Kelly Gary

29th Infantry Division Public Affairs

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait-- When a Soldier from the 741st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company carefully examined the entrance to an underground tunnel here recently, he discovered a suspicious wire hidden under a piece of burlap. Pablo followed the indicator to a large directional explosive and called to his team leader describing the threat. After receiving the okay from his team leader, Pablo secured the device and remotely disabled it. The immediate threat was eliminated, but there was still an entire tunnel ahead to clear. Thankfully, this time it was just a training scenario.

The Soldier, Army Specialist Walter Pablo, was just one of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians from six teams from across the services who joined together for training exercise Alicorn Fury.

Alicorn Fury allowed members of the Army, Navy Air Force, and Marines to bring their own perspective to the Warrior Skills Training Center here on December 22 to complex problems and learn from their fellow EOD specialists. Participants trained on six scenarios, each incorporating constantly evolving tactics, techniques and procedures, or TTP's.

"These are real-world up to date TTPs," said Captain Patrick Mumper, commander of the 741st Ordnance Company. "It's a dangerous world that is constantly changing."

The three-person teams used all the Explosive Ordnance Disposal tools available including robots, metal detectors, and protective bomb suits in order to solve their scenarios. Team members were given a problem, and then using equipment and best judgment, set out to neutralize the threat. Throughout each individual exercise, experienced servicemembers evaluated the Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine each step of the way.

When a technician made what would be a lethal mistake in the real world, training coordinators sounded a loud alarm. Even without any actual explosives, each scenario is treated with the same gravity as real-life situations, which are gained from real-world experience, said Mumper.

Just like the real world, the competition is a test of endurance as well as skill. Despite the added protection tools such as the protective bomb suit provide, EOD members indicated that speed and mental agility are reduced when wearing them. .

"The longer you wear it, the more worn out you get," said Specialist Seth S. Hamilton, team leader with the 741st Explosive Ordnance Company. "You won't realize it, but you start doing stuff that won't make sense to a normal person, such as stepping on things you shouldn't be or knocking stuff over."

Despite the challenges, the Arizona native was excited to take the lead for one of the problems.

"As a team leader, I finally was able to get down and touch stuff that might possibly go pop," said Hamilton. "It's kind of thrilling."

While Hamilton may have been enjoying the realistic training, there is a serious element to the competition.

The lessons learned here by the teams like the one fielded from 741st Ordnance Co. will be used to support theater operations. The unit provides emergency response for Central Command and support to the 3rd Brigade 1st Armored Division as they engage in Operation Spartan Shield in the Army Central area of responsibility.

With so many Soldiers counting upon expertise such as Hamilton's on constantly changing battlefield, current knowledge is crucial to mission success. That's why training like this is so valuable, he said.

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