Audacious Warrior opens doors to collaboration and continuous learning

Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians from seven states converged on Volk Field Air National Guard Base in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, for the fourteenth annual Audacious Warrior exercise July 18-22, a five-day event hosted by the 115th Fighter Wing.

The training focused on current threat scenarios EOD Airmen may encounter, including drones, guided missiles, tripwires and improvised explosive devices. “This is the most consolidated and most permissible environment for us to get our hands-on training,” said Senior Master Sgt. Erich Sanford, 115th Fighter Wing EOD superintendent and exercise coordinator. “Our collective knowledge and threat environment change. We get to build training scenarios based off the latest iterations of what’s going on to make sure we’re able to handle whatever situations we come across,” said Sanford.

Organizers emphasized that bringing together Airmen from multiple units and experience levels each year helps standardize practices and accelerate learning across the career field.

Among the first-time participants was Airman 1st Class Bradyn Miller, an EOD technician with the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Civil Engineer Squadron, who said the multi-state environment offered practical takeaways for his home unit. “The operations tempo is a little bit slower which is nice,” said Miller. “It’s good to see how other people work and it’s really good for meeting new people and making connections.”

This year’s syllabus also gave attendees hands-on time with the L3Harris T7 Multi-Mission Robotics System, a platform used to remotely neutralize explosive hazards. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Benito Pacheco, also with the 155th Civil Engineer Squadron, said early exposure to the system pays dividends for newer technicians. “I didn’t get to touch the T7 until Team Leader School,” said Pacheco. “The fact that we’re doing a whole course tomorrow and letting the new guys get time on the T7’s is good.”

Pacheco, attending Audacious Warrior for the fourth time, said returning each year sharpens decision-making and preserves critical proficiencies in a rapidly evolving discipline. “This is a perishable skill,” said Pacheco. “If you feel like you’ve learned everything, you’re going to get complacent. We learn something new every year.”