52nd Ordnance Group
The 52nd Ordnance Group (EOD) is the command and control headquarters for all Army Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) companies and battalions located in the continental United States (CONUS), to include the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Subordinate units maintain EOD Response Teams which evaluate, render safe, and remove conventional, chemical/biological, or nuclear ordnance, or improvised explosive devices that pose an immediate threat to public safety. While subordinate units are trained and equipped for combat operations, they may also support a variety of peacetime missions, to include range surface clearance operations of active Army installations.
Ordnance and Explosives (OE) include all munitions containing explosives, propellants, nuclear fission or fusion materials, biological or chemical agents (as defined in AR 50-6) or bulk explosives. Examples include bombs, rocket and missile warheads and motors, artillery and mortar projectiles, mines, torpedoes, depth charges, fuzes, pyrotechnics, small arms (to include electric and mechanical actuated cartridges and devices), and bulk explosives or residue. Not included are examples such as the various Live Agent Simulant Kits, oxygen or acetylene tanks, or non-munition scrap metal. Subordinate units of the 52nd are not intended to operate as OE clearance or disposal contractors, to certify property as clear of OE, or to serve as transportation or explosives supply assets to contractor operations.
DoD and other Federal agencies routinely provide support to first responders at the local, state, and Federal level in the form of expert advice and assistance. A major source of the information comes from a vast knowledge base at CBDCOM and the Medical Research and Materiel Command (MRMC). The Defense Technical Response Group, part of the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technical Division, is a joint-service manager for explosive ordnance disposal. Finally, the 52nd Ordnance Group can be called upon for OD assistance. Specially trained EOD operators in DoD special mission units are the primary experts to be called upon by the FBI for access and device disablement operations involving weapons of mass destruction.
The 52nd Ord Group programs for and budget enough operational, training, and mission funds (P2 and P8) and publish necessary orders to satisfy EOD training, mission and operational re-quirements for all FORSCOM EODCTs and EOD units. EODCT will send funding requirements for all the EOD detachments under their operational control to the 52nd Ord Group.
The 52nd Ordnance Group (EOD) distinctive unit insignia was authorized on 19 May 1993, consisting of a gold burst with overall a black stylized bomb pointing down flanked by two white swords with gold hilts pointing up; all enclosed by two parallel crimson rings inscribed "DEFUSING" and "DANGER" in gold. Crimson and yellow (gold) are the colors traditionally associated with the Ordnance branch. The bomb encircled by the rings and flanked by two swords suggests control and the defusing of ordnance by the organization. The burst and bomb symbolize the propulsion and firepower of ordnance. The two swords commemorate the unit's World War II and Vietnam campaign participation credits. The red rings reflect the Meritorious Unit Commendation the unit received for Vietnam service.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was authorized on 5 June 1995, consisting of a crimson rectangle with rounded corners and with a black border, a black bomb upon a yellow stylized explosion. Crimson and yellow are the colors traditionally used by Ordnance units. The bomb and stylized explosion symbolize the mission and heritage of the 52d Ordnance Group.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel are tasked to reduce the hazard of domestic or foreign conventional, nuclear, chemical, biological and improvised explosive ordnance which threatens personnel, operations, installations or material. This requires personnel to be able to function in a tactical environment and to perform a myriad of related duties.
As the clouds of World War II loomed in Europe, reports began to filter back to the War Department of the need for Bomb Disposal Squads. The Commanding General of the Ordnance Training Center, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, directed Col. Thomas J. Kane to develop a bomb disposal program. In January 1942, the Bomb Disposal School was activated at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. A fully equipped cadre of British Bomb Disposal instructors trained the first classes to graduate the school. Col. Thomas J. Kane and his staff departed for England to observe disposal operations and atten the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal School.
Following the British methods of teaching on a need to know basis only officers were taught render safe procedures for fuzes. Enlisted personnel where instructed in related support requirements. This method resulted in the policy of officers performing render safe procedures. The first Bomb Disposal units were organized in 1942 as Bomb Disposal Companies, much the same as British units. For purposes of mobility and to reduce response time the units were reorganized in 1943 and 1944 as Bomb Disposal Squads. Since the squads were frequently deployed in teams to several incidents at one time, squad commanders instituted training programs to allow enlisted personnel to perform render safe procedures.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal units have been redesigned since 1945 as follows. In January of 1945 from Bomb Disposal Squad to Ordnance Service Detachment (Bomb Disposal), in April of 1945 to Ordnance Service Squad, in December of 1949 to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squad, in 1954 to Ordnance Detachment (ED), in 1968 to Ordnance Detachment (EOD).
Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel have served proudly in all wars and conflicts since 1941 with a mission that has grown to include a very broad range of responsibilites and duties.
The Department of Defense's 2005 BRAC recommendations relocated the 52nd EOD to Ft. Campbell, KY. Its old station, Ft. Gillem, was recommeneded for closure in the BRAC recommendations.
