HILL AIR FORCE BASE — Col. David Smith, who took command of the 419th Fighter Wing in November, spent the afternoon at the 419th Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight Jan. 9 as part of an orientation to demonstrate the team’s mission and capabilities.

 Smith, along with Col. Michael Rothermel, 419th Mission Support Group commander, toured the flight and had a chance to try on the bomb suit, which provides crucial protection to EOD personnel as they find and destroy unexploded ordnance.

 Reservists in the 419th EOD support various deployments overseas and in the U.S. and are trained to use a variety of high-tech tools, including X-rays and robots.

 EOD reservists have also been called to various missions outside the combat zone. Last year, a 419th reservist deployed to Laos to help crews identify and recover remains of missing persons from the Vietnam era. EOD has also been involved in securing sites for U.S. presidential inaugurations for the past 15 years.