Explosive ordnance disposal (United States Navy)

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Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
United States Navy EOD Technician Insignia
ActiveJune 1941–present
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
TypeNaval Bomb Disposal Expeditionary Special Operations
RoleBomb disposal, CBRN defense
Size2,433 total[1]
  • 2,290 Active personnel
  • 143 Reserve personnel
Part of
Persian Gulf War
  • Global War on Terror
  • United States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians render safe all types of

    Special Operations Forces (SOF), and various warfare units within the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Army. They are also called upon to support military and civilian law enforcement agencies, as well as the Secret Service
    .

    EOD Technicians' missions take them to all environments, and every climate, in every part of the world. They have many assets available to arrive to their mission, from

    , to small boats and tracked vehicles.

    History

    Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams trace their history back to the first group of volunteers selected to work with the famed British UXO teams, following the initial

    Mediterranean theaters. Divided into Mobile Explosive Investigative Units (MEIU) they were instrumental in the clearance of explosive hazards both on land and at sea. The Korean War saw a return to action on various minesweepers ensuring the continual clearance of shipping hazards. Additionally, the now renamed Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Units took part in inland intelligence operations and interacted with ground-based units in Inchon
    , Wonson and throughout the United Nations Theater of operations.

    The

    riverine
    mine clearance operations, these teams ensured the continued safety for shipping and maritime operations.

    Since the

    Afghanistan and Iraq where they are supporting the global war against terrorism, destroying tons of post war ordnance and reducing the threat imposed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) that have plagued both countries. Forward deployed and fully integrated within the various Special Operations units within the U.S. Navy and Army
    , the present day EOD technician has changed greatly from that first Mine Recovery class of 1941. But one thing that has never changed is the level of professionalism and dedication that has been the cornerstone of the program.

    Training

    EOD training pipeline

    The EOD training pipeline starts with three weeks of preparatory training at

    Fort Walton Beach, Florida. This training is broken down into specific types of ordnance:[2]

    Demolition Division
    Includes how to set up various explosive firing trains
    Tools & Methods Division
    Teaches you the various tools and methods of EOD work
    Core Division
    Teaches fundamentals of EOD work
    Ground Ordnance Division
    Focuses on projected munitions and grenades
    Air Ordnance Division
    Focuses on bombs and missiles
    Improvised Explosive Device
    Includes "homemade bombs”
    Bio/Chem Division
    Includes lessons on various biological and chemical agents
    Nuclear Ordnance Division
    Covers basic nuclear physics and radiation monitoring and decontamination procedures
    Underwater Ordnance Division
    Emphasizes torpedoes and other underwater explosives as well as underwater search techniques

    Every section teaches how to render-safe or defuse ordnance.

    CH-46
    using a MC1-1C parachute

    Upon completion of basic EOD training, all graduates will attend the three-week

    Fort Benning
    , Georgia where candidates qualify as a basic parachutist.

    After Jump School, training continues at Gulfport, Mississippi, for an additional four weeks, consisting of weapons training in the use of the 9mm handgun and the M4 carbine as well as combat first aid.

    The final phase of EOD training is three weeks of EOD Tactical Training at the

    Marine Mammal Companies
    .

    Officer training

    Officer training for the EOD career field (119x / 114x) differs slightly. Their pipeline is as follows:[3]

    • EOD Junior Officer Course (7 days, Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center) – This course trains junior officers in EOD group, mobile unit, and detachment/small unit organization to include organizational relationships with detachments/small units, small group dynamics, CPO/OIC relationships, ethics, and EOD case studies.[4]
    • Diver Training (60 days, Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center) – Designed to provide qualified non-diving personnel with the basic training necessary to safely and effectively perform as a dive team member/diver in SCUBA and MK-16 UBA in accordance with the U.S. Navy Diving Manual.[5]
    • EOD School (320 days, Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal) (see enlisted training)
    • Basic Airborne (23 days, Fort Benning) (see enlisted training)
    • Expeditionary Combat Skills (27 days, Center for Security Forces)[6]
    • EOD Tactical Training (21 days, EOD Training and Evaluation Unit ONE, San Diego)[7] (See enlisted training)
    • EOD Platoon Leader Course (12 days)

    Advanced training opportunities include foreign language, Advanced Improvised Explosive Device Disposal, and Department of Energy training.

    Advanced equipment

    EOD employs a variety of tools, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to accomplish the mission. Robots are used to perform remote procedures on unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices. Efforts to maintain the latest technology are accomplished with the assistance and the DoE and various civilian organizations. Johns Hopkins University maintains the Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic System (AEODRS) program. The primary goal of AEODRS is to develop a common architecture for a family of unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) systems to enable unprecedented levels of interoperability.[8] AEODRS is a Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal (JSEOD) program, executed through the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) via the Navy Program Management Office for Explosive Ordnance Disposal/Counter Remote Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (PMS-408).[8]

    Units

    Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group One

    Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California

    • EOD Mobile Unit ONE, Naval Base Point Loma, California
    • EOD Mobile Unit THREE, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California
    • EOD Mobile Unit FIVE, Naval Base Guam
    • EOD Mobile Unit ELEVEN,
      Imperial Beach
      , California
    • EOD Training and Evaluation Unit (TEU) ONE, Naval Base Point Loma, California
    • Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) ONE, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
    • EOD Expeditionary Support Unit One, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California
    • EOD Operational Support Unit SEVEN, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California (decommissioned)

    Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group Two

    Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek
    , Virginia

    • EOD Mobile Unit TWO,
      Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek
      , Virginia
    • EOD Mobile Unit SIX, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia
    • EOD Mobile Unit EIGHT,
      Naval Station Rota Spain
      , Spain
    • EOD Mobile Unit TWELVE, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia
    • EOD Expeditionary Support Unit TWO, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia
    • EOD Training and Evaluation Unit (TEU) TWO,
      Joint Expeditionary Base East, Virginia[9]
    • Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) TWO, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia

    Expeditionary Exploitation Unit ONE, Indian Head, Maryland

    See also

    References

    1. ^ Edison, Capt. Edward (2015). "Explosive Ordnance Disposal: Clearing the Way" (PDF). U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 July 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
    2. ^ "Explosive Ordnance Disposal" (fact sheet). United States Navy. Retrieved 27 February 2012.[permanent dead link]
    3. ^ "EOD Officer Career Path" (PDF). United States Navy. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
    4. ^ "EOD Junior Officer Course". United States Navy. Archived from the original on 22 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
    5. ^ "EOD "A" School Phase One". United States Navy. Archived from the original on 22 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
    6. ^ "Expeditionary Warfare". United States Navy. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
    7. ^ "NAVY EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE". United States Navy. Archived from the original on 19 February 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2014.
    8. ^ a b Hinton, Mark A.; Burck, James M.; Collins, Kristine R.; Johannes, Matthew S.; Tunstel Jr, Edward W.; Zeher, Michael J. (2013). "Integration of Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Robotic Systems Within a Modular Open Systems Architecture" (PDF). Volume 32, Number 3. JOHNS HOPKINS APL TECHNICAL DIGEST. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
    9. ^ Barber, Barrie (12 June 2006). "Expeditionary Sailors Defuse Mock IEDs, Prep for Upcoming Deployments". United States Navy. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2009.

    External links

    Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Navy.