Niagara EOD supports recent Pope visit to the U.S.

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  • 914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Two members of the 914th Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight were part of the joint personnel team that secured various locations in New York City during Pope Francis' recent visit to the United States September 22 to 27.

Master Sgt. Garth Muenter and Senior Airman Joseph Kulczyk, 914th EOD, worked with representatives from all service branches of the U.S. military to provide security for this event.

"We performed searches of Madison Square Garden and the airport for the Pope's visit with the mission being to find or function any device that could harm the protectees and the general public," said Kulczyk. "We worked with K9 units and other EOD teams to perform sweeps of the areas looking for any threats. At the airport we performed more sweeps of the airport and any foot or vehicle traffic up until after the Pope had departed."

Focus is paramount when working such an historic event due to the large crowds and heightened security measures.

"You are on your toes constantly with such a high profile person," said Master Sgt. Muenter. "You are constantly vigilant about your surroundings."

Since the EOD unit has been stood up at Niagara in 2010 there have been six VIP missions including the Pope visit.

To plan for these types of events the U.S. Secret Service is able to reach out to the Air Force requesting EOD assistance. This request is then routed through the major commands who determine the amount of slots available for the mission.

"We received emails saying they had openings for the AF Reserve and requested us to fill the slot," said Kulczyk. "I've never been on a VIP, but wanted to go and it being one of the core EOD missions helps round out my experience."

The working relationship between the different service branch members at this high profile event was great.

"It was very easy, very similar to EOD School (where) we are basically performing the same mission and I knew some of the Army and Navy personnel," said Kulczyk. "One of the Army lieutenants was in my class when I was going through EOD School."

When asked about his highlight of the event Kulczyk was enthusiastic.

"I would have to say getting to see the Pope board his plane was the best part. Instead of watching through the TV like millions of other people I got to see it with my own eyes."