Page 2 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, June 2021

2 June 2021 Desert Lightning News Desert Lightning News June 2021 3
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Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month EOD helps keep Tucson safe

by about the rich culture and contributions of Asian Story and photos by Senior Airman opportunity to practice range procedures in regards to
handling explosives, priming into them and setting them
355th WiNg American and Pacific Islanders. BLAke goNzALeS off successfully and safely.”
The rich AAPI heritage spans across the world 355th Wing Public Affairs
Equal Opportunity Office While Davis-Monthan’s EOD Flight and the Pima Re-
and through the depths of America’s history.
The Department of Defense celebrates Asian Generation after generation, AAPI members have TUCSoN, Ariz. — The 355th Civil Engineer Squadron gional Bomb Squad both deal with properly identifying,
American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month forged a proud legacy that reflects the spirit of our Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight participated in demoli- handling and disposing of explosives, their areas of exper-
tise are slightly different based on their respective mission
every May. May was chosen as the dedicated month nation — a country that values the contributions tion training hosted by the Pima Regional Bomb Squad in
to celebrate the anniversary of the first Japanese of everyone who calls America home. America is Tucson, Arizona, April 28. sets and responsibilities.
immigrants to America in 1843. This dynamic known as a melting pot of different ethnicities, cul- The training allowed both parties to practice handling “There are some equipment and tools that we might use
celebration recognizes the various obstacles faced tures, and backgrounds. It has taken many years explosives in a safe and controlled environment. It also as public safety bomb technicians that military members
by Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native and many brave citizens to propel this nation in provided a valuable opportunity for both sides to network, don’t use as much,” Rockwell said. “Conversely, there are
things in the military that we don’t see as much too, so we
Hawaiians and honors their countless contribu- becoming a worldwide influencer. The DoD would share their experience and learn from each other.
tions in American history. be remiss to not celebrate the Asian American and “A couple of times a year, we do what we refer to as a can offer that input and that collaboration about the tools
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Pacific Islanders that have gotten us here today. ‘range day’ or a ‘demolition day,’” said Sgt. Jason Rockwell, that we use and why.”
Month serves as an annual reminder of the many For more information about Asian American Pima Regional Bomb Squad supervisor. “It gives us the These kinds of integrations not only help train for each
individuals that put their life on the line to protect and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, please con- side’s respective missions, but also help streamline the sup-
port process when one must rely on the other. Specifically,
this great nation, dating all the way back to the tact the 355th Wing Equal Opportunity office at
Civil War. One of the most highly decorated units 228-5509, or visit: https://www.deomi.org/human- these training sessions are immensely helpful when the
in military history is an all-Japanese American relations/special-observances.cfm. Pima Regional Bomb Squad identifies a military munition Airman 1st Class Ronald Cataldo, 355th Civil Engineer
unit from WWII that earned 9,485 Purple Hearts, within the Tucson community, and thus must call on Davis- Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight team
eight Presidential Unit Citations and 21 Medals Monthan’s EOD Flight Airmen to support. member, prepares explosives during demolition train-
“We help them out when it comes to military munitions
of Honor. The Department of Defense celebrates Asian Ameri- ing in Tucson, Arizona, April 28. Davis-Monthan Air
In 2017, Congress awarded Filipino WWII vet- can and Pacific Islander Heritage Month every May. that are found,” said Airman 1st Class Noah Blakley, 355th Force Base’s EOD Flight worked alongside the Pima
erans with Congressional Gold Medals for their May was chosen as the dedicated month to cel- CES EOD Flight team member. “They’ll go out, do a recon Regional Bomb Squad to train, learn and network with
service and to honor the 260,000 Filipinos that ebrate the anniversary of the first Japanese immi- on it and see what the item is. If it’s a military munition, their civilian counterparts.
fought alongside of them. Our military history grants to America in 1843. This dynamic celebration they immediately call us and that’s when we’re dispatched.”
The 355th Wing’s EOD must respond to these calls not
is rich in diversity and has had an abundance of recognizes the various obstacles faced by Asian
like-minded people fighting for a greater cause. Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians only because these items are government property and
Equal Opportunity specialists are ensuring each and honors their countless contributions in Ameri- must be handled by them, but also because they have the
American installation is teaching its populace can history. courtesy graphic most knowledge and resources to dispose of them safely.
“We have a very baseline understanding of the ord-
nance that’s out there,” Rockwell said. “They have access
to the data sheets on them, what makes them dangerous
(from Page 1)
Bringing home silver medal effectively deter and, if necessary, defeat a near-peer adver- Senior Airman blake Gonzales experts.”
buShwhAckEr
and how to make them safe. They’re the subject matter
The 355th CES EOD Flight primarily deals with military
sary.”
The wing is working toward U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff
Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight team
Bomb Squad requests their aid for general calls.
Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr.’s charge to accelerate change Airman 1st Class Noah Blakley, 355th Civil Engineer ordnance, but there are times when the Pima Regional
by training multi-capable Airmen to compete, deter and win member, prepares explosives during demolition train- “Interoperability is a huge thing for us — especially for
the high-end fight. This is accomplished by accounting for the ing in Tucson, Arizona, April 28. The Pima Regional me and a lot of the other new guys,” said Blakley. “When we Officer Joshua Corn, Pima Regional Bomb Squad tech-
ambiguity and uncertainty expected in future conflicts as they Bomb Squad provided a valuable opportunity for both eventually become team leaders, we already have connec- nician, holds a detonating cord while Airman 1st Class
learn to become more lethal, agile and resilient. sides to learn, develop and network by hosting the tions here and we can work with them properly and easily.” Noah Blakley, 355th Civil Engineer Squadron Explo-
“Readiness is something the wing continually works to training. While both sides perform their missions, it’s important sive Ordnance Disposal Flight team member, plants
improve,” Pearce said. “Our ability to adapt and prepare for to know what to do if you encounter a possible explosive an explosive during demolition training in Tucson,
tomorrow’s fight is pivotal in accomplishing the rescue and in any area of Tucson. Arizona, April 28.
attack missions we are tasked with.” “Number one, don’t touch it,” Rockwell said. “Contact your
By ensuring the wing’s ability to wield combat rescue and nearest law enforcement agency so they can coordinate with
attack airpower, it ensures the operational advantage needed the bomb squad. At that point, we will respond, or we will
to successfully outthink, outmaneuver and outfight our na- get information regarding what it is. We will then coordi-
tion’s enemies. nate with Davis-Monthan about whether it’s something
Staff we’re going to deal with, if they’re going to come out or if
it’s just something we do in coordination with each other.”
Notice of claim Publisher ..........................................................................Paul Kinison contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at (520)
For information about the Pima Regional Bomb Squad,
Business manager .......................................................... Lisa Kinison
Editor ...................................................................................Amy Lamb
Advertising representative ............................................Sandi Bueltel 251-4600 or go to https://www.pimasheriff.org.
On April 21, 2021, Davis-Monthan lost an incredible Designer .............................................................................Tinna Sellie
Airman, Senior Airman Joesph A. Bronte. We ask that Published by Aerotech News and Review, Inc. RiGHT: Airman 1st Class Noah Blakley, 355th Civil En-
anyone who may have a claim of indebtedness to his es- 877- 247-9288 • www.aerotechnews.com gineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight
tates, please contact the Summary Courts Officer (SCO) Aerotech News and Review prepares all editorial content for Desert Lightning News. The team member, tests the continuity on a line of firing
1st Lt. Garrett Hayes at garrett.hayes.2@us.af.mil editor will edit or rewrite submitted material for clarity, brevity or to conform to the As- wire during demolition training in Tucson, Arizona,
sociated Press Style Guide, local policy and Air Force style as required by Air Force Instruc- April 28. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s EOD Flight
tion 35-101. Contributions for Desert Lightning News can be emailed to the editor at amy@ integrated with the Pima Regional Bomb Squad to help
aerotechnews.com. Submission deadlines are the 15th day prior to the month of publica- train for each side’s respective missions.
tion. Submissions will be based on space available and priority. Desert Lightning News uses
Notice of claim information from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base website, the Armed Forces Information From left, Officer Joshua Corn,
Service, Air Force News Service, Air Combat Command, staff writers and other sources. All
advertising is handled by Aerotech News and Review. For business advertising, call 877-247- Pima Regional Bomb Squad tech-
On May 16, 2021, Davis-Monthan lost an incredible 9288 or email Sandi Bueltel at sbueltel@aerotechnews.com. For classified advertising, email nician, shows Airman 1st Class
Airman, Staff Sgt. Franklin Kaunang, a Flight Engineer classifieds@aerotechnews.com. Noah Blakley, 355th Civil Engi-
courtesy photos on the EC-130H who operated out of the 43rd ECS. Desert Lightning News is published by Aerotech News and Review, a private firm in neer Squadron Explosive Ord-
(Left to Right) Majors Robert Carpenter, Daniel Levy, James Buchanan, and Ryan Cummings, 47th Fighter Please keep his unit and his family in your thoughts no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under written agreement with the 355th nance Disposal Flight team mem-
Fighter Wing. Contents of Desert Lightning News are not necessarily the official views
Squadron pilots, pose for a photo before stepping to their A-10 Thunderbolt IIs during the Hawgsmoke and prayers during this difficult time. He loved being of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense or the Department ber, Capt. Travis Ellison, 355th
2021 competition at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., April 13-17. The competition consisted of A-10 Thunder- stationed here and being a member of the 43rd. “Once A of the Air Force. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or CES EOD Flight Commander, and
bolt II four-ship teams from around the world fighting to be considered the ‘Best of the Best’ in ground at- Bat, Always A Bat.” We ask that anyone who may have supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by Airman 1st Class Ronald Cataldo,
tack and target destruction. These pilots brought home 2nd place overall. The 47th FS, a flying squadron a claim of indebtedness to his estates, please contact the the DLN, DOD, Air Force or Aerotech News and Review. Everything advertised in this 355th CES EOD team member,
in the 924th Fighter Group at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, is a Geographically Separated Unit Summary Courts Officer (SCO) Capt. Jonathan Hall publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, how to prepare explosives during
of the 944th Fighter Wing. at jonathan.hall.32@us.af.mil. color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affilia- demolition training in Tucson,
tion or any other non-merit factor of the purchase, user or patron.
Arizona, April 28.