WESTFIELD, Mass. – An explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) Airman from the Massachusetts National Guard's 104th Fighter Wing is using innovative equipment to make face shields in a critical response to COVID-19.
The 104FW EOD shop recently began using a 3D printer to make face shields for the 104FW Medical Group, to protect members in their efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus in Massachusetts.
"I never expected to be printing 3D face shields for a global pandemic while telecommuting, in my whole EOD career," said Senior Master Sgt. Jeremiah McClosky, EOD superintendent, who has served for 20 years. "I am glad I can still help out in these times."
While telecommuting, McClosky began 3D printing on a phone app from his home. McClosky loaded the files from an open-source website, and it took a total of 11 hours to see results. The personal protection face shields were done from home for the most part until he went in to take them off the printer, separated the parts, and assembled the face shields made from Polylactic Acid and heavy-duty laminating paper.
The 104FW MDG Airmen are serving on the front lines of COVID-19. EOD is supporting from a distance, but they are still a team accomplishing the mission. The EOD Airmen are used to helping from a distance, ahead of the mission, and this is nothing different for a day's work protecting people.
EOD Airmen are usually on the front lines clearing explosive ordnance all over the world. They are trained in detecting, disarming, detonating, and disposing of explosive threats.
The EOD has a 3D printer to make training materials to ensure a realistic training environment when live munitions are not available. Members of the unit are continually preparing to be deployed to serve their country overseas and work with interagency partners stateside.
"The 3D printer is a cost-benefit in being able to print training aid tools," said McClosky. "The training aids may not be real-weight, but it is a value-added to get close as possible to realistic training every time. In this case, we are doing what we can to protect lives."
The 104th FW EOD Airmen are also keeping up on their readiness while studying their craft telecommuting.
"We are still busy training," said McClosky. "I am making home school kits of basic fake demolition training material for my Airmen to study. We are always preparing and focused on readiness to serve our nation, and during this time is no different."
McClosky said not only are they working and training from home, but they have also celebrated significant events as a team while telecommuting. "We also virtually promoted someone. I was standing at attention in my room, so I didn't think to take a screenshot of my screen. The team was together over video chat to hold the promotion ceremony for Senior Airman Keith DeAmicis."