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U.S. EOD Experts Share Techniques with AFP

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071121-13
Release Date: 11/21/2007 12:48:00 PM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Gabe Puello, Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines Public Affairs

JOLO, Sulu (NNS) -- Subject matter expert exchanges between Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines (JSOTF-P), explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts and their Philippine Marine counterparts held Nov. 12-13 on Jolo, provided both nations with a wealth of practical field experience and techniques.

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are the weapons of choice by Abu Sayyaf (ASG), and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), terrorist groups in the Philippines, Multiple IED incidents within the past months have lead EOD experts to believe the devices are increasing in sophistication.

Sailors with EOD Mobile Unit 5, Det. 7, Guam, attached to JSOTF-P, conducted a joint training exercise where they demonstrated U.S. remote rigging and disruption techniques as well as robotic ordnance disposal with Philippine EOD technicians from 3rd Marine Brigade, Team 2.

The training began with classroom study of each country's technique, and was followed by JSOTF-P EOD technicians presenting the Filipino marines with scenarios in which they used U.S. equipment to set up rigging, extract explosivs, and detonate them from a remote distance.

Phillippine EOD experts, likewise, presented the U.S. team with a situation of their own to solve, using only the equipment and techniques the Filipinos use for extracting and disposing explosives.

The Filipinos imparted years of practical field and urban experience at diffusing and disposing of IEDs and unexploded ordnance (UXO) without "high-speed equipment."

"We don't have all the sophisticated equipment the Americans have so we have to improvise," said Capt. Soliman Vistal, commander, EOD Team 2. "The Americans learn from us how to use practical methods to safely extract and dispose of UXOs and IEDs."

The JSOTF-P EOD team's presence will hopefully positively impact their Filipino counterpart's ability to complete their ongoing missions against ASG and JI forces successfully and safely.