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EODMU1 Trains Iraqi Army's BDC

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090116-04
Release Date: 1/16/2009 11:19:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joan E. Kretschmer, Commander Task Force 56 Public Affairs

COB SPEICHER, Iraq (NNS) -- Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1 (EODMU-1) are mentoring and training their counterparts with the Iraqi Army Bomb Disposal Command (IABDC) while deployed to Tikrit, Iraq.

EODMU-1 provides training to IABDC in standard EOD jobs and assists with getting their compound up to a working and living standard. They also provide technical guidance on a variety of issues from safety of explosive storage areas to setting up work areas. Having the IABDC compound up to a satisfactory level is important to Iraqi soldiers, so that they can focus on the mission.

In this close interaction, cooperation and trust have developed.

"The Iraqis talk about people they have known over the years," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Neil Marshall. "They have fond memories of their coalition partners."

EODMU-1 gives a large spectrum of training to the Iraqi Army so that they can complete their mission. Some of the training includes M-16 rifle training, standard EOD calls, post blast procedures, collecting evidence and range clearance.

EODMU-1 takes their mission to train the IABDC seriously, and they have set up ambitious goals for the soldiers in the BDC unit.

"To mirror the actions of my guys when they are on scene," Senior Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Kenneth Englehart, said. "We aren't always going to be there to train them. So we need to train them, so eventually they can train themselves."

The actions and receptiveness of the Iraqi Army soldiers is highly noted by the EODMU-1. The eagerness of the soldiers to learn more eases the training.

A sergeant from IABDC stated that he believes the training that EODMU-1 gives them is beneficial for his team. They are always seeking learning opportunities.