Austin Hannum of Point Pleasant, pictured second from left, son of Bill and Jane Hannum, recently returned home after deployment in Afghanistan where he spent his time using his training as a Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician to diffuse and dispose of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s). Austin was recognized for his service by Commissioners Miles Epling, Rick Handley and Tracy Doolittle, also pictured.
POINT PLEASANT — A 2007 graduate of Point Pleasant High School has been defending his country in a unique and dangerous way.
Austin Hannum of Point Pleasant, son of Bill and Jane Hannum, enlisted in the U.S. Army and chose to learn how to disable explosive devices. He received Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida where he graduated in 2011.
He took this training as an EOD technician and recently used it while being deployed in Afghanistan. He belongs to the 717 EOD stationed at Ft. Campbell, Ky.
Hannum and his service to his country were recognized this week at the Mason County Commission meeting by Commissioners Miles Epling, Rick Handley and Tracy Doolittle. When asked about his service, Hannum said he spent time in Eastern Afghanistan where he used his training in diffusing IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices).
Hannum and his unit were deployed in September 2012 and returned home May 26. Despite his deployment into not only a dangerous area of the world but doing one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet, no one from the 717th was lost and all safely returned home.
There’s no way of knowing if Hannum will be redeployed but for now, for him, he indicated there’s no place like home, even if it’s just for a visit.
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