Beale EOD diffuse simulated crisis situation Published May 9, 2016 By Senior Airman Bobby Cummings 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Explosive ordnance disposal technicians assigned to the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron participated in Operation: Half-Life May 5, 2016, at Clear Lake, California. The exercise was designed to evaluate a synchronized, multi-agency response to a crisis situation. The 95th Civil Support Team led the exercise, a California National Guard team intended to assess suspected nuclear, biological, chemical, or radiological threats. Various other agencies along with Airmen assigned to the 60th Civil Engineer Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California, participated in the exercise. "A training operation such as this one is really beneficial for us because we’re working with the Army CST, various civil authorities, fire department and police department, and it’s great to see how they operate and the type of equipment they use," said Tech. Sgt. Noah Cheney, 9th CES EOD technician. "Working in that joint environment is the greatest benefit from this training." Cheney and his team of EOD technicians were tasked to locate and eliminate a radioactive dispersal device within an abandoned structure known as the "bomb factory." During the process, the team encountered multiple improvised explosive devices limiting access to the structure. They were able to diffuse the IEDs and disable the RDD. "Accessing the multiple IEDs within the structure was difficult," said Staff Sgt. Daniel Fox, 9th CES EOD technician. "All of the entrances were blocked off so we had to create different entries. I have yet to experience a real-world scenario similar to this. The exercise encompassed a lot more than the standard mission. My horizon was broadened and I was able to strengthen my skill set."