Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Three

EODMU3 is a subordinate command of Commander, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group ONE within the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit THREE provides operational EOD capability as required for the location, identification, rendering safe, recovery, field evaluation and disposal of all explosive ordnance including chemical and nuclear weapons, up to the high water mark of coastal and inland water areas and within the boundaries of naval activities in southern California. The unit was commissioned on 3 October 1983.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit THREE enables access by providing expeditionary Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) forces for the location, identification, rendering safe, recovery, and disposal of explosive ordnance, to include chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN). EOD forces are trained to operate in all environments in support of DOD forces under the tasking of Commander THIRD Fleet.

EOD Detachments respond to areas under the control of the Department of Defense when emergency situations involve military ordnance and in support of the Department of Homeland Defense for

Functions of EODMU3 include providing EOD Mine Countermeasure (MCM) detachments; MK 18 Mine Detection and Neutralization System (MDNS); MK 2 Swimmer Detection and Neutralization System (SDNS); the MK 5 Pingered Object Recovery System (PORS) for deployment and employment worldwide; providing assistance to Navy commands within the COMNAVBASE San Diego area of responsibility for the clearance of unexploded ordnance in and around their establishments; providing EOD support to SOCAL carrier operations; providing parachute insertion capable EOD detachment; instructing the Underwater Object Detection and Marking Systems Operator Training Course (A-431-0049); assisting the United States Secret Service as directed by higher authority; participating in research and development projects, including support of the Naval Ocean Systems Center Marine Mammal Research and Development effort; and providing other routine diving and demolition services.

Since its establishment, EOD Mobile Unit THREE has provided EOD support to the fleet in the Southern California operational area and the local community of San Diego. The unit has also conducted range clearance and weapons support operations at San Clemente Island. MK 2 SDNS, MK 18 MDNS, MK 5 PORS, and MCM departments have participated in various JCS, Pacific and Atlantic Fleet exercises. During the spring of 1984 and summer of 1985, the unit provided extensive area clearance services to the local San Diego community of Tierrasanta. As a result of this, the unit received congressional recognition and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation

The Navy has four operational Marine Mammal Systems (MMS) managed by the Special Operations Community. These systems were comprised of specially trained bottlenose dolphins and sea lions.

The fleet marine mammal detachment consists of four to eight dolphins or sea lions, which can be quickly deployed by strategic air lift to any part of the world and worked from a shore based or shipboard platforms. The fleet operational marine mammal system detachments are comprised of about 40 animals consolidated at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit THREE in San Diego and NSCT-1.