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EODMU 5 Sailors Deploy to Afghanistan

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100330-04
Release Date: 3/30/2010 8:41:00 AM

By Oyaol Ngirairikl, Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

YIGO, Guam (NNS) -- Approximately 20 Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 departed Andersen Air Force Base air terminal on Guam March 30 to begin their deployment to Afghanistan in direct support of Commander, Joint Task Force Paladin.

While deployed, the headquarters element will be based in Southern Afghanistan where they will command and control counter-improvised explosive device (IED) teams.

Cmdr. Robert DeBuse, EODMU 5's commanding officer, said he's looking forward to working with other explosive ordnance disposal teams from other U.S. Armed Forces branches.

"Our job is to be the command and control element for all the counter-IED efforts in the southern part of Afghanistan," said DeBuse. "We make sure they're trained and equipped for their mission."

EODMU 5 is homeported on board U.S. Naval Base Guam and has three detachments that keep the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) safe and accessible by countering mines and other potentially hazardous explosive devices.

DeBuse said the command has been preparing for the deployment since April 2009 and noted his teams, both the deploying element and the one staying back on Guam, are ready.

"It's a difficult mission in that we are going to remove a good chunk of people from EODMU 5 headquarters and put them in a different AOR and yet we still have to do the exact same mission here in the Pacific," said DeBuse. "It's going to be a challenge, but I think everybody here is well prepared for it."

Command Master Chief (EWS/SW) Bill Lee said the deployment will be an "eye-opener" for junior Sailors.

"There's a lot of good that our men and women are doing in the region," said Lee. "I hope the junior Sailors get a sense of self-worth, pride and patriotism by knowing they're going to help make a difference in the region."

Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Tyler Logan Crampton said he's looking forward to working in a joint environment.

"I'm going with some great people, and I'm looking forward to meeting others who can help me grow as a Sailor," said Crampton. "There's going to be interaction with the different services, such as Army and Marines, but also interaction with the Afghanistan police and Afghanistan Army. And it's a great opportunity to build teamship."

For Seaman Rodin Peguero, Afghanistan will be his first deployment.

"I'm looking at this deployment as a foundation for my Navy career," said Peguero. "I want to be an explosive ordnance disposal technician, and I think this will be a great learning experience."

Navy EOD technicians are an elite team of warriors who eliminate hazards from conventional ordnance, weapons of mass destruction, sea mines, IEDs and accomplish expeditionary diving and salvage objectives. These Sailors foster trust and cooperation with like-minded nations, ensure offensive maneuver for conventional and special forces and mitigate harm to U.S. and coalition forces, as well as civilians.