Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Randy Savarese | Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians speak with Rep. Scott Rigell, R-Va.,...... read more read more
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WASHINGTON – Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians showcased the Navy EOD’s unique equipment and capabilities during the congressional EOD Caucus' “Day on the Hill” at the U.S. House of Representatives, July 31.
The day’s event was an open invitation to lawmakers in the capitol to become more knowledgeable of the people and equipment behind the EOD missions carried out every day around the world.
Eight sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2, EODMU 6, EODMU 12 and technicians from Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head EOD Technology Division brought gear to highlight Navy EOD’s maritime role, such as mine countermeasures and dive capabilities, which sets it apart from the other services.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Wesley Cody and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Steve Rivers, both from EODMU 12, shared their knowledge to U.S.
Representatives and congressional staffers by demonstrating equipment including gear similar to what they used during a recent deployment to Afghanistan.
“Our guys can live and thrive in any environment. We can integrate with any service or operate independently whether we’re in the water, in the air or on the ground,” said Rivers.
During his deployment, Rivers' platoon spent nine months without having anyone injured in an IED strike, an unfortunately rare event for those working downrange. They covered more than 500 kilometers in that time period and cleared 93 IEDs.
Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Jeremy Lindquist, assigned to EODMU 2, supports special operation forces and recently returned from his 10th deployment.
“We’re really the only EOD service that can fully support all the forces because we’re the only one as a community have jump, free fall, fast roping and dive qualifications,” said Lindquist. “We’re the primary EOD special operations forces support for the Army and the Navy, and we’re the only EOD force that has any underwater capabilities.”
Navy EOD technicians also gave a hands-on opportunity for everyone to interact with their gear which included a Mk. 16 mixed-gas diving rig, SeaBotix underwater rover, and a Mk. 12 acoustic firing system.
Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., co-chair of the congressional EOD Caucus and a former Army EOD technician, spoke with Navy EOD techs and offered words of praise to EOD Group (EODGRU) 2 for their contributions after recently returning from Afghanistan leading Combined Joint Task Force Paladin and working alongside other EOD services.
“I think that anytime you can have the level of success that they’ve had, and this underscores the joint nature of these operations over there, I just say congratulations,” said Crawford. “[EOD] Group 2 has done great work and I’m sure they will continue to do great work.”
CJTF Paladin is responsible for all counter-improvised explosive device operations, training, evidence collection and analysis in Afghanistan.
EODGRU 2, headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS), oversees all east coast based Navy EOD mobile units, including one forward deployed mobile unit in Spain, as well as EOD Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 2, EOD Operational Support Unit (EODOSU) 10, EOD Training and Evaluation Unit (EODTEU) 2, and Mobile Diving & Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2.
U.S. Navy EOD is the world’s premier combat force for countering explosive hazards and conducting expeditionary diving and salvage.
| Date Taken: | 07.31.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.01.2013 15:09 |
| Story ID: | 111202 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,465 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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