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SECDEF Visits EODMU-3, Presents Bronze Stars

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080109-10
Release Date: 1/9/2008 4:43:00 PM

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Dave Nagle, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Robert Gates, presented eight Bronze Stars to members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 1 and 3 at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado on Jan. 7.

Gates visited EODMU-3 as part of an overall visit to Navy units in the San Diego area.

Gates presented awards to Lt. Wade Hilderbrand, Lt. Kary Olson, Senior Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EWS) Kerry Jones, Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician (EWS) Aaron Johnson, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class (EWS) Jason Knick, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class (EWS) Danny Theis, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class (EWS) Sean Hansen and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class (EWS) Geoff Hunley.

All served as part of EODMU-3 Alpha Company during combat operations in Iraq from May-November 2007.

EODMU-3 Alpha Company worked directly with 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division operating in the Tigris River Valley, southeast of Baghdad in an area known as the Triangle of Death.

Alpha Company, consisting of 15 EOD Technicians, conducted more than 400 combat EOD missions, including more than 80 dismounted patrols and 13 air assault missions. They rendered safe 90 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and disposed of 50 enemy weapons caches, destroying more than 7,250 pounds of enemy ordnance and explosives.

"It was a real honor to receive this medal from the Secretary of Defense," said Kern. "We're very proud to have been given the opportunity to serve."

"I'm told that an EOD tech carries the same gear as a light infantry soldier, but also piles on an additional 33 pounds of tools and demolition equipment," said Secretary Gates. "Yet the individuals that we recognized today carried a load on their shoulders that was far heavier. The burden of knowing how they did their jobs would mean the difference between life and death for their fellow warriors every single day. From the bottom of my heart, I'd like to thank these valiant men."

Several family members were on hand to observe the presentation and Gates honored them for their dedication while Alpha Company operators were deployed, many of whom on their second or third tour of duty in Iraq.

"During these deployments, all of the family responsibilities fell on you," he said. "You carried out a thousand tasks every day, without fanfare or fuss. You held your families together, so your service member could do a job far from home when the nation called."

During the visit, Gates talked with EOD technicians, learning more about their mission and equipment.

"It means a lot to us for the Secretary of Defense to take the time out of his busy schedule to be here today," said Hilderbrand, Alpha Company commander. "These guys have worked really hard and sacrificed a lot for their country. It's an honor to be recognized for that."

U.S. Navy EOD is the world's premier combat force for countering IEDs, weapons of mass destruction and all other types of weaponry. An elite team of warriors, Navy EOD Technicians are the "first in" - clearing the way for further combat operations in every environment – on the ground, in the air and under the sea.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/necc/.