Courtesy photograph

Senior Airman Jessie Ralls, 812th Civil Engineering Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

Name:  Senior Airman Jessie Ralls
Unit:  812th Civil Engineering Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Job title:  EOD journeyman
Job description and its impact on the overall mission:  I support Air Force Test Center aircraft weapons systems as well as providing emergency response capability to suspect packages/Improvised Explosive Decives (IEDs). I also support the United States Secret Service whenever the president or vice president visits the local area.
Time in the military: I have been in the military for four years.
Time at Edwards AFB: I have only been stationed at Edwards AFB for just over a year.
Family: I am currently married with a son.
Hometown:  I’m originally from Corvallis, Mont.
Hobbies: In my off time I like to lift weights and do a little wood working.
Why did you join the military?  I joined the military to travel, take advantage of the free schooling and to blow stuff up.
Where do you see yourself in 10 or 20 years? In 20 years I see myself retired from the military and working as a personal trainer or opening a gym of my own back in Montana.
What do you do for fun here? I like to trail run/hike, go to the beach and explore local breweries.
What’s your favorite Air Force memory or story?  One of my favorite memories was when I was stationed at RAF Lakenheath, England, and I was selected to go on a TDY to Capetown, South Africa, where I supported President Obama’s visit there.  Afterwards I took three extra days of leave to go on a safari, shark cage diving adventure and Table Top Mountain hiking trip.
What accomplishments are you most proud of? My most proud moment was when I became a father just a few weeks ago. My most proud accomplishments, aside from becoming a father, was when I graduated from EOD school.
Who is your role model?  I feel like this is a loaded question but it’s probably Amiri King or an NCO from my last shop, Tech. Sgt. Bruce Thomashunis.
How does your job help support the test and evaluation (T&E) mission here at Edwards?
We support every aircraft airframe on base by providing initial emergency, and follow-on support, during ground emergencies that involve explosive ordnance or other aircraft explosive hazards.  In doing so, we remove the hazard, which allows the operational and developmental test squadrons to continue the [test and evaluation] mission.  We also remove bombs and other explosive hazards after they are dropped on the bombing range.  This allows continued use of the range for T&E.  Additionally, we respond to aircraft crashes and remove explosive hazards so an investigation can be performed.  Lastly, we provide a force protection capability to the entire base by eliminating the threat posed by explosive ordnance found on base as well as suspect and real IEDs on base.
What is your dream job and why?  EOD is definitely a dream job for me, but I would also love to own my own business such as a gym or a brewery.
What do you like most about Edwards? Its proximity to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and the beach. In addition, the work tempo at Edwards allows for a work/life balance that affords me the opportunity to study and complete schoolwork during off duty hours.
If you won a million dollars, what is the first thing you would buy? A fully-paid, three-week trip to Santorini, Greece.

What distinguishes Ralls from his peers?
“Senior Airman Ralls is not only an outstanding EOD technician, but an all-around superb worker.  He’s the Airman I go to when a key job needs to be accomplished.  Senior Airman Ralls is excellent at taking on enormous amounts of work and producing top notch results.  Whether responding to an IED, UXO or aircraft incident, or assisting in managing equipment accounts worth millions of dollars, I can consistently count on SrA Ralls to deliver no matter what needs to be done.  He’s a true asset to the Edwards EOD Flight, the 412th Civil Engineer Group and the 412th Test Wing.”
Staff Sgt. Jacob Cumbo, supervisor