• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

New EOD Mobile Unit Established at Ceremony

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080111-17
Release Date: 1/11/2008 4:45:00 PM

(Captain's Call Kit - Important Navy information prepared in an easy to distribute format.)

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

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12 (EODMU-12) was established during a ceremony Jan. 10 at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek.

EODMU-12's operators will be called upon to neutralize Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), conventional ordnance hazards, and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), in dynamic operational environments, often in combat while under enemy fire.

"In this generation of warfare, the front line is our EOD force that ensures the IED threat is neutralized before other combat forces go in," said Rear Adm. Don Bullard, Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command. "We stand Mobile Unit 12 up today recognizing the capability inherent in Navy EOD and the need for more."

EODMU-12 is unique in that it is the first EOD mobile unit created from the ground up with the command and control structure to deploy overseas as an entire mobile unit. In the past, EOD detachments deployed while the mobile unit headquarters element remained in homeport.

"[In the months ahead], we will take the entire command cadre, put it through an extensive evaluation process and push it forward to the battlefield to bring combat power to the Navy component commanders and combatant commanders in theater," said Capt. Frank Morneau, Commander, EOD Group Two.

The establishment of EODMU-12 is an important step in the U.S. Navy's support of the Global War on Terrorism, as EOD technicians are in high demand. Adding EODMU-12 to the East Coast-based EOD Group Two provides three mobile units to meet requirements for U.S. Central Command, expeditionary strike groups, carrier strike groups and Naval Special Warfare. The addition of EODMU-12 will ultimately increase time-in-homeport for EOD Technicians.

In his remarks to his Sailors, EODMU-12 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Joseph Polanin praised his new unit, stating that although EODMU-12 is a new command, its officers and Sailors share a rich heritage and already achieved unparralled accomplishments.

"These leaders have completed 41 deployments in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom; participated in more than 1,000 named combat operations and earned 36 personal awards for exemplary valor in combat," Polanin remarked. "They display peerless qualities of service, sacrifice and stamina, and serve as a testimony to our predecessors and an inspiration to our successors. Their bravery, heroism and leadership will inspire our future leaders and set the conditions for success in any mission, in any environment."

U.S. Navy EOD is the world's premier combat force for countering Improvised Explosive Devices, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and all other types of weaponry. An elite team of warriors, Navy EOD Technicians are the "first in" – enabling 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.navy.mil/local/necc/.