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NAVEODTECHDIV Lauded for Warfighter Support

By Patrick Dillon, NAVEODTECHDIV

INDIAN HEAD, Md. -- A team from Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV) recently returned from Afghanistan where it supported warfighters participating in Operation Enduring Freedom. Capt. Daniel Renwick, NAVEODTECHDIV commanding officer led a team of five civilian employees in Afghanistan where they provided new technology equipment to support military EOD technicians in the continuing war against terrorism.

Maj. Gen. Vines, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force 180 in Bagram, Afghanistan commended the team for its accomplishments. "It was inspiring to observe how the war fighting community and the research, development, and technology branch of our military worked as a team, and within 30 days, reverse-engineered, rapidly prototyped and installed [equipment] which effectively and inexpensively provided a capability to protect our convoys, patrols, and personnel," he said.

In a memorandum to the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army and the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Vines described the NAVEODTECHDIV support as "a perfect example of a rapid prototype program that directly met the war fighters' emergent requirements in an urgent, effective, and resourceful manner."

Referring to the NAVEODTECHDIV team, Vines concluded, "these individuals can be extremely proud of the work they have done to protect the lives of Coalition and U.S. Forces fighting the war on terrorism in Afghanistan."

Before leaving Bagram, Renwick briefed Gen. Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on the support they provided.

In addition to the provision of EOD tools and equipment, NAVEODTECHDIV developed and is distributing EOD Operational Support Guides, referred to by EOD technicians as "purple books," that identify the explosive hazards from mines and other unexploded ordnance U.S. forces may encounter in current operations.

Although initially developed for EOD use, the value of the information in the books was readily recognized by other U.S. military elements. Department of the Army Headquarters requested 10,000 copies of the books for the use of non-EOD military personnel. The Navy and Marine Corps have submitted a similar request for "Purple Books".

Renwick personally delivered 400 copies of the book to EOD forces during his time in Afghanistan.

Information gathered by the NAVEODTECHDIV team while in Afghanistan will allow for fine-tuning of continuing technology development efforts to better counter threats facing U.S. forces.