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Show October 21 , 1999 Explosive ordnance disposal troops back from Kosovo before flying back to the United States, was a fine d men. group of talented and "I couldn't ask for a better crew," Smith said. "They took the knowledge that they had and expanded on that. They were always eager to learn, eager to go on missions. They were always safe in what they did, didn't take any chances. They were just a great asset to the overall accomplishments of the team." In a joint operation with the Army, the team collected munitions from locals who had the area, went out on calls when the locals had spotted mines, and performed school searches to be certain that the schools had no explosives and were safe for the Albanian children. The efforts didn't go unappreciated. "The local Albanians were very appreciative that we were there and that NATO had done what they did, to drive the Serbs back out of Kosovo," Smith noted. "If we were working out in a field, they'd come out and bring us tea or bring us lunch. All the young kids, when we would drive through the villages, would come out on the road and start yelling, 'NATO, NATO, NATO,' and wave their hands. They were just glad we were there so they could go back to their homes and leave the refugee camps where they were staying for months and months." But after staying in an Army-ru- n base camp for some time and quite shuttling around the region for months, the men acknowledge that it is nice getting back to the comfort of their homes and their families. by Steven R. Ford Hilltop Times well-traine- staff After nearly six months overseas supporting NATO operations in Kosovo, six men of the 75th Civil Eng- ineering Group's Explosive Ordinance Disposal Squadron returned Oct. 9 to Hill AFB. "It's just great to be back and be around your family and not have to be looking on the ground all the time, making sure you're not going to step on a mine," said team leader, MSgt. Jeff Smith. The team, including Smith, TSgt. Richard Holmes, SSgt. Robert Ouelette, SrA. Jason Gillentine, SrA. Stuart Wylie, A1C Kevin Conklin, have been dealing with the remnants of war in the predominantly Albanian region of the former Yugoslavia, especially " ..,: -- ' i j;' i I r ' . ' i J - '- '' - de-min- ed ... -- J X ' v. unexploded munitions. Allied aircraft dropped clus- ter bombs and unexploded mines posed the primary threat and were eliminated by the skilled explosives experts. L "I'm kind of used to it," Gillentine said about putting themselves in harm's way, "and it doesn't bother r me much. You've just got to think of safety first, but all in all, it's just a job." "When it comes down to doing your job, you just have to train your mind to concentrate on nothing but what you're doing at the time," Smith agreed. "I think it's something you get accustomed to after you've been doing it for so many years. You learn to trust your abilities and the abilities of your team members." A ', ' . Photo by Steven R. Ford Team leader MSgt Jeff Smith of the 75th Civil Engineering GroupExplosive Ordinance Division is welcomed home from Kosovo by his wife Tammy, right, and their two children. According to Smith, the team that spent over 140 days in the region, moving from Turkey to Italy to. Macedonia to Kosovo and back to Macedonia A n 7 A K A & A v' 'y c A v" A J j mmm v A U V U " HE Meadows offer a place of refuge, a place c r L;X" to gather - sheltered from the cares of the outside world. Now is your chance to have it all, quick and easy access to freeways, schools, churches, retail shopping, and a quiet community. A comfortable, high quality lifestyle within a country setting is waiting for you at The Meadows. 2"? - ii ii i ii ii ....in .,,.- (801) 0 773-211- 11 , ;-- t- .JsJK ' v. ! t v CI v U- c4 f -N A l - - H I"" J t ..., Xti " If rr. ii s-f If as tow as 2 Meadows Sales Office I t WX''WW.; " tw,.v.M.J! ' v , JJW REALTORS lfiC. ii r:z.r. &v i Marketed By: ii a- - t ft fcv W -- 1 y4Xvyw.fv o iJ S mv 1VLL ii ifflp f T with 3 Mi down iiif iBViiiWiiiigiMiMfiBiaML Having trouble keeping the kids busy after school? Then check out the Youth Activities Center! Hours: 3-- 7 PM PM Friday & Saturday. Closed Sundays and holidays. Featuring kid's crafts, activities, and sports. For pore information contact the Youth center, Ext. Monday-Thursda- y; 3-- 9 7-56- 18. i Note: Preregistration deadline for activities and field trips is three days prior to the event. - -i- WalTT ; . ... .t '- '' mftm ' ' " - "' " " - ' J |