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EOD Group 2 Changes Command

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080712-03
Release Date: 7/12/2008 12:08:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Jen Smith, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 held a change of command ceremony July 11 at its headquarters at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va.

Capt. Tom Sitsch relieved Capt. Frank Morneau as commander of EODGRU 2, which provides combat ready EOD and diving & salvage Sailors to the fleet and joint forces. The deployed EOD forces eliminate ordnance hazards that jeopardize operations conducted in support of the national military strategy.

During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Mike Tillotson, commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), spoke of the future of EOD forces around the world and Sitsch's role within that force.

"As we look to the future, which is a very uncertain future, we have to think about irregular warfare, and we have to think about unconventional warfare," said Tillotson, "There will continue to be [people] that strike out using low-tech weapons that they can get their hands on and making a high-tech threat."

Tillotson explained the responsibilites of EOD technicians.

"On the battlefield, Navy EOD technicians are responding to calls to preserve the lives of Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen," he continued. "That's what these Sailors are charged with doing, and that's what they'll do."

Sitsch, a Chicago native, served as a joint military operations instructor at the Naval War College. During that assignment, he deployed to Iraq as the first deputy commander, Combined Joint Task Force Troy, responsible for synchronizing and coordinating the counter-improvised explosive device effort for Multi-National Corps Iraq.

Under Morneau's leadership, EODGRU 2 had unparalleled success in multiple theaters of operations from the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Europe to Southwest Asia. During his tenure, the eight subordinate commands of EODGRU 2 and their 39 platoons performed at peak levels of safe, operational efficiency under frequently hostile or arduous conditions.

Morneau reminded the audience of the sacrifices of EOD Sailors.

"They're not going to sell real estate today; they're not going to check on the stock market. By the end of the day, they will put their lives in danger again and again to make sure the defense of this country is forthright to them. By the end of the day, some of them will render safe nearly 40 improvised explosive devices."

Morneau continued by describing various ongoing missions such as route clearance missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and a submarine raising in Rhode Island. EOD forces are also conducting underwater mine countermeasures in the Persian Gulf.

Morneau's next assignment will be on the staff at Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Office.

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