ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
The Air Force mission is a 24/7 job.
Being physically fit is something all Air Force personnel are obligated to strive for in order to be ready at a moment's notice and to help accomplish their respective missions. The 316th Civil Engineering Squadron Explosive Ordinance Disposal unit is a prime example of this mission ready fitness standard.
"Our primary mission here on Andrews is supporting the base force protection and providing defense against any kind of explosive device that we would find on base," said Tech Sgt. Scott D. Williams, 316 CES EOD flight superintendent.
The Andrews EOD team has other responsibilities that not many other Air Force installations have.
"We are also the primary EOD team that supports the arrivals and departures of all presidential movements as well as providing security for arriving dignitaries," said Sergeant Williams.
Attaining a high fitness level plays an enormous role in ensuring that the 12 person Andrews EOD team meets their mission requirements and are ready to respond to any threat.
"The nature of our job is not something that can be scheduled," said Sergeant Williams. "We have a very high deployment rate and when we're in theater often times we'll be carrying upwards of 40 pounds of gear for long distances in all kinds of weather, so we tailor our PT program to our unique mission requirements."
The Andrews EOD team exercises everyday at 7 a.m. Their program is varied to provide the best overall training possible.
"We don't just work out in our PT gear," said Sergeant Williams.
"Sometimes we'll work out in our uniforms with our flack vests on because that's what you're going to be wearing while performing your mission."
Sergeant Williams and his fellow EOD members train extremely hard so that they can keep Andrews servicemembers and their families safe. He suggests all shops on the installation take advantage of the new Tactical Fitness Center to help them achieve their own fitness goals.
"In my opinion one of the most important things a shop can do is to make sure all of its members are physically fit," said Sergeant Williams.