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Malabar 2006 Integrates American, Indian EOD

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061031-11
Release Date: 10/31/2006 3:25:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Derek Sanchez, USS Boxer Public Affairs

ABOARD USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) -- U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team members, currently embarked on USS Boxer (LHD 4), teamed up with an Indian EOD unit as part of Exercise Malabar 2006, Oct. 28.

EOD Mobile Unit 3, Detachment 11, flew from Boxer with an Indian EOD team to conduct hands-on training off the southwest coast of India. The teams jumped from a helicopter into the Indian Ocean with 10 pounds of explosives to dispose of a mock mine.

The purpose of the multinational exercise, which focuses on a number of naval mission areas, including EOD, is to strengthen ties between American, Canadian and Indian forces, as well as enhance the cooperative security relationship between the nations involved.

“We have all had the same basic EOD training, but it is the advanced ordnance disposal skills that we can provide to the Indian EOD team,” said Lt. Peter Kral, officer-in-charge of EOD Mobile Unit 3, Det. 11. “We both bring certain operational skills to the table to learn and grow from.”

An SH-60 Knighthawk helicopter was used during the mission. The use of a helo is not unique to U.S. Navy EOD teams, but it was a first for the Indian navy EOD. The helo made several passes at the location to allow the teams a chance to practice jumping out of a helo and mine detonation.

“Carrying out the exercise from an aircraft is new to the Indian navy,” said Kral. “It is something they want to incorporate and improve on their side operationally and a prime opportunity to show what the U.S. Navy has to offer.”

The training mission gave the EOD teams a chance to work closely, strengthen international ties and help ensure that in future operations, they will be able to work effectively together.

“Everything ran smoothly between the two teams. It is a simple operation with knowledge from two different perspectives,” said Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist 1st Class Jason Null assigned to EOD Mobile Unit 3, Det. 11. “This proves that we can work well in exercises in the future.”

Boxer is the flagship for the Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG), operating out of San Diego, which is reporting operationally to Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/ Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy's only forward-deployed amphibious task force.