PADUCAH, Ky. (News First) — The Paducah Police Department Bomb Squad was at Fort Knox last week for the ATF Raven’s Challenge, a premier training event for counter-improvised explosive device operations.
“Raven’s Challenge is one of the most beneficial training events our squad has been able to attend,” said Bomb Squad Commander Sgt. Matt Hopp. “Being teamed up with our military partners is a great experience because we both learn new approaches and tactics. This event enhances our skills as a squad and individually while testing our knowledge and ability.”
The Paducah Bomb Squad was partnered with a U.S. Air Force EOD team from Hurlburt Field, whom Hopp described as “true professionals” bringing significant knowledge and expertise to the exercise.
The Raven’s Challenge Interoperability Exercise is designed to improve the interoperability capabilities between public safety bomb squads (PSBSs) and military explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) units through various scenarios in operational environments.