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EOD instructors awarded Bronze Stars

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Two instructors with the Det. 3 366th Training Squadron received Bronze Star Medals April 6 for meritorious service as Explosive Ordnance Disposal team leaders in 2009 at Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq .

Staff Sgt. Kevin Beasley and Tech. Sgt. Frank Pulice were both assigned to the 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron operating within a 47,000 square mile battle-space. Sergeants Beasley and Pulice led their teams through 40 and 111 combat missions respectively.

Their combat experience provides new information they can pass on in training the next generation of EOD technicians.

"It keeps us current with what's going on in the deployed environment," said Sergeant Pulice. "We are then able to share these experiences and stories with the students, which can help keep them motivated during the challenging portions of the school."

The experience allowed the instructors to address student concerns of the unexpected.

"It allowed me to bring back fresh stories and answer a lot of questions from the Airmen who are about to graduate and deploy themselves in a few months," said Sergeant Beasley. "Many of them are concerned about what is expected of them when they arrive to their next duty station and what kind of jobs they will be performing while deployed."

Even deployed, the two NCOs found themselves "instructing" - teaching and nurturing their technicians into a cohesive team.

"I am most proud of the way my team developed during the deployment," said Sergeant Pulice. "We were from different units, and had to learn each other before we could begin developing as a team."

Sergeant Beasley worked with technicians he'd trained as an instructor.

"One thing I am most proud of was the chance to work with and observe a few of the newest EOD techs who graduated while I've been an instructor," said Sergeant Beasley.

"This generation of techs are outstanding young Airmen, and I am looking forward to working with them more in the future."

Both sergeants agreed the hardest part about being in their career field isn't the bombs, unexploded ordnance or improvised explosive devices, it is the struggle it puts on the families.

"While we get to deploy and do the job we love, our families are left to ensure we have a home to come back to," said Sergeant Pulice. "Knowing the hazardous nature of our career field, they sometimes struggle with the constant worry of if we will return uninjured or at all."

But with the training and mentorship from instructors and team leaders like these two Air Force NCOs, many EOD techs can know they are getting the best possible training for what's ahead.

"The best part about being an EOD instructor is being afforded the privilege of watching the students develop into EOD technicians, and knowing we play a vital role in that process," said Sergeant Pulice. "They are the future of our career field."

During his time in Iraq, Sergeant Beasley defeated 22 IEDs, denied use of six weapons caches and performed three UXO responses and helped with 30 others resulting in the disposal of 1,159 ordnance items with a net explosive weight of 1,408 pounds.

During his time in Iraq, Sergeant Pulice defeated 30 IEDS, denied use of four weapons caches and helped with 46 UXO responses in the disposal of 9,117 ordnance items with a net explosive weight of 1,408 pounds.