East Coast-Based EOD Group Passes Baton
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060719-17
Release Date: 7/19/2006 9:48:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Phil Beaufort, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Capt. Frank A. Morneau relieved Capt. Jeffrey A. Trumbore as commanding officer of Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group 2, during a change of command ceremony July 18 at Drexler Manor Conference Center, Naval Amphibious Base, Norfolk, Va.
According to Rear Adm. Don Bullard, who leads the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, EOD Group 2 flourished under Trumbore's leadership.
"Through peerless operational expertise, astute resource management, and extensive technical knowledge, Capt. Trumbore ensured the unparalleled success of his command," he said. "His exceptional guidance and direction of eight subordinate commands and their 59 detachments resulted in optimum readiness and effective force deployment throughout the United States Northern Command, United States European Command, and United States Central Command areas of responsibility in support of the global war on terrorism."
In addition, Trumbore's Sailors took part in disaster relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and they successfully contributed to multiple theater security cooperation engagements spanning four continents.
Closer to home, Trumbore said while at the helm, he has seen monumental changes within the EOD and diving communities. The establishment of source ratings for divers and EOD technicians marks one of the most significant.
“Right now, within their own rating, they can focus in on their mission-critical skills as opposed to trying to compete among their source ratings as well,” said Trumbore.
Chief Yeoman Ivan Cole, EOD Group 2's administrative leading chief petty officer, said the group staff has nearly doubled in size in the past two years.
"We've been incorporating some fairly radical organizational changes," said Cole. "I really think that Commodore Trumbore was the right guy at the right time to implement these changes."
EOD leaders believe another beneficial change for the community is the creation of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). In January the Navy created NECC, bringing EOD, naval coastal warfare, Navy expeditionary logistics support functions and the Seabees under one umbrella. NECC integrates all warfighting requirements for expeditionary combat and combat support elements. This transformation allows for standardized training, manning and equipping of Sailors who will participate in the global war on terrorism as part of the joint force.
"The Navy Expeditionary Combat Command under Rear Adm. Bullard's leadership has been a phenomenal thing for us within the explosive ordnance disposal community,” said Trumbore. “We actually have a flag advocate who is dedicated to making us successful, getting us the resources we need, tracking what our needs are, advocating for us up the chain of command and ensuring that we are properly employed.
“The other thing it brings into it is an aspect of being able to look across the spectrum of missions associated with expeditionary combat command and being able to advocate for this type of capability across the Navy. It's something we haven't had before, and it's a tremendously relevant thing to the global war on terrorism," said Trumbore, who will report to the Joint Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Defeat Organization in Washington.
Morneau joins EOD Group 2 from the National War College, where he received a master's degree in national security strategy. Just prior to taking command, Morneau said he is very optimistic about the future of the group.
"This is a very exciting time for the EOD and diver communities - one of the most dynamic times in our history," he said. "We've seen a lot of transformation recently, and the contribution of our Navy EOD techs and divers is being noticed throughout the [Department of Defense] and Washington."
EOD Group 2 commands six EOD mobile units; EOD Training and Evaluation Unit 2; and Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2.
Explosive ordnance disposal units conduct counter-IED operations, dispose of explosive hazards left over from war and disarm underwater explosives. EOD technicians also have the capability to handle chemical, biological and radiological threats. They can parachute from the air to reach distant targets or dive under the sea to disarm weapons.
Navy divers attached to mobile diving and salvage units clear harbors of navigational hazards that prevent ships from docking in port, engage in underwater search and recovery operations and perform underwater repairs on ships.
Sailors interested in the EOD program should contact the EOD recruiter, visit their command career counselors or visit the EOD Web site at www.eod.navy.mil.
For related news, visit the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/necc/.
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