Camp Gruber hosts global bomb techs for explosives exercises at Raven’s Challenge

More than 100 bomb technicians from across the U.S. and six other countries gathered at Camp Gruber in eastern Oklahoma this week for Raven’s Challenge, a large-scale explosives training exercise.

The event, funded by the U.S. Army and hosted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), gives participants the chance to confront real-world scenarios. Organizers say all the devices used in training are based on actual incidents in the U.S. or abroad.

Greg Smith, program manager for Raven’s Challenge, says the event has grown significantly since it started in 2004.

“We used to just meet in the Pacific Northwest with about 30 people,” Smith said. “Now we run five of these events across the country.”

The week-long training includes a mix of traditional and cutting-edge threats, such as booby traps, improvised explosives, and devices made with 3D-printed components. Teams are encouraged to test tools and techniques they wouldn’t normally use in day-to-day operations.

“This is one of the few places where they can think outside the box,” Smith said. “It’s not graded. It’s safe. And it’s designed to help them sharpen their skills.”

ATF Special Agent Bennie Mims says training like this is critical as criminals become more creative and tech-savvy. “You have to challenge the imagination of the criminal element,” Mims said. “This helps us stay one step ahead.”

U.S. Attorney Robert Troester of the Western District of Oklahoma emphasized the importance of preparedness, especially in a state still shaped by the Oklahoma City bombing. “I would be worried if we didn’t have things like Raven’s Challenge,” he said. “Without it, I’d be scared.”

Officials say the program not only builds readiness, it also strengthens partnerships between local, federal, and international teams working to keep communities safe.