The two EOD technicians from the 94th Civil Engineering Squadron were Tech Sgts. Matthew Halstead and Ivan Tarin. They teamed up with other technicians and local authorities to perform sweeps of designated protected areas.
"This was an extraordinary opportunity to be a part of history and for our technicians to work hand in hand with other military and civilian authorities," said Senior Master Sgt. Ross Kurashima, 94th EOD flight superintendent. "It's what we train for each and every day."
"It was an honor to be selected to support such a high-level event," Halstead said.
"I've trained with technicians from all around the world," Tarin said. "Few can say that they have participated in a presidential inauguration."
In addition to the EOD Citizen Airmen, 90 members of the 459th Air Refueling Wing from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, took to the streets in Washington to participate in the inauguration parade.
Lt. Col. Rebecca Fox, 459th ARW executive officer, said it was a privilege for the wing’s Citizen Airman to be able to represent the entire Air Force Reserve Command in the parade. She said the parade included a total of 360 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and Air Force Academy Airmen, representing the entire Air Force.
“We are a total force, and it’s great to showcase our camaraderie on such a big platform as the inauguration,” Fox said.
(Information for this article taken from a story written by 2nd Lt. Katie Spencer, 459th ARW public affairs, Joint Base Andrews.)