Eric Gahagan

Bomb Technician, Massachusetts State Police

Eric Gahagan spent 23 years as a trooper with the Massachusetts State Police, 18 years as a bomb technician and 17 years as an EDK9 Handler before retiring in March, 2016. Eric has a vast amount of experience relative to explosive detection canine training and operations, homemade explosives, SWAT interoperability, and counter IED response with more than 3,000 calls to service as a bomb technician and has been operating and instructing as an explosive breacher since 2000. Eric has lectured extensively to both public and private sector and shared the operational lessons learned relative to the Boston Marathon Attack as while providing training relative to a progressive dismounted approach to counter IED operations.

He has lectured hundreds of times over the years on a wide range of topics and assisted in the development and was a lead instructor for the ATF Homemade Explosives IPD course for more than 4 years at Fort AP Hill, VA and Redstone Arsenal, AL. Eric has instructed Explosive Breaching and SWAT Interoperability operational courses and assisted the Australian Government with the development of the country’s Homemade Explosives Training from 2010-2014. He has instructed on Dr. Jimmie Oxley’s “Fundamentals of Explosives” course at the University of Rhode Island, and is also a member of the instructor cadre for the NCBRT program at Louisiana State University training foreign nationals in Improvised Weapons of Mass Destruction response.

In 2015, Eric formed the OPS15, which connects some of the most experienced and progressive operators internationally for the purposes of training, consulting and preparing others and serves as consulting partner and advisor to many technology partners in the areas of explosives detection and mitigation, robotics, diagnostics, and dismounted operations.

The company’s motto, “Unconventional Training” is the basis of all training courses delivered. OPS15 provides real world operational expertize to those looking to push forward against hazardous threats in both the public and private sector by sharing knowledge and experience matched with cutting edge technology.

In January 2016, OPS15 Field Operations Group began providing security services to clients in need of a progressive solution to emerging hazardous threats. Experienced operators armed with cutting edge technology, detection canines and a unique skill set are now being deployed to fill that capability gap. OPS15 applies lessons learned from years of experience and proven methodology to assist clients in their security mission with an operational asset and an invaluable resource.