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EODMU 5 Demolishes SUV in Special Demolition Day with Royal Thai EOD

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060523-23
Release Date: 5/23/2006 9:29:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Adam R. Cole, Task Force 76 Public Affairs

THUNG PRONG, Thailand (NNS) -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 conducted an demolition demonstration of high explosives and special shaped-charges on a dismantled sport utility vehicle (SUV) as part of Cobra Gold 2006, May 22.

The demonstration was performed in order for the U.S. explosive ordnance personnel to show their Thai EOD counterparts how devices to combat improvised explosive devices (IED) would work in real-life scenarios.

“This training is to give the Royal Thai EOD the chance to develop new tactics by seeing how tactics are actually used,” said Chief Mineman (EOD) Michael J. Negri. “The foundation of this exercise has been about sharing techniques and strategies, and that is certainly what we did today.”

Explosive ordnance personnel used various explosive devices on different aspects of the SUV and then analyzed its impact afterward. Royal Thai Navy EOD sailors were given the opportunity to detonate the charges, as well as produce explosives prior to the detonation. It was a true collaborative effort, according to those involved.

Such an opportunity to use real explosives and do it on something that could produce real effects, in this case an SUV, is a rarity for the Royal Thai EOD. So, working together with the U.S. Navy to see the impact scenarios was greatly appreciated.

“We feel very fortunate that the U.S. Navy could provide the tools to have this hands-on experience,” said Chief Petty Officer Rittipong Khiawon, of the Thai EOD team. “We know we have increased our techniques because of this training.”

Members of EODMU 5 were happy to be able to deliver the training opportunities and felt just as fortunate to be able to work with the Royal Thai Navy EOD sailors.

“They have shared as much techniques as we shared with them, so we both learned a lot from each other,” said Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (EOD) Jay R. Wheeler. “The training has given us both a better ability to achieve the explosive ordnance mission.”

Task Force 76 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.