EOD Mobile Unit 11 Unveils New Facilities, Memorial
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS110626-05
6/26/2011
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Benjamin Crossley, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West Public Affairs
IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. (NNS) -- Nearly 1,000 Sailors and family members attended the 3rd Annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group One All-Family Picnic at Naval Outlying Landing Field (NOLF), Calif., June 24.
During the festivities, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 held a ceremony where they conducted their official ribbon cutting of the unit's new EOD training and evaluation facility. EODMU 11 moved to Imperial Beach, Calif., more than a year ago from Whidbey Island, Wash., said Lt. Cmdr. Cameron Chen, executive officer of EODMU 11.
As part of the ribbon cutting ceremony a memorial was presented for Sailors of EODMU 11 lost in Iraq. "We built a memorial in front of our building to recognize the six fallen heroes of Mobile Unit 11," said Chen. "Back in 2007, we were deployed as a battalion staff in Iraq and we had a period where we lost six of our technicians. It was a huge blow to us." Family members of two of the fallen EODMU 11 sailors were given the honor of unveiling the memorial.
The new facility features administrative offices, work out bays and training spaces.
"I am so impressed with the building," said Carol Taylor, a picnic attendee. "What impressed me most were the six young men who lost their lives, the purple hearts, and that will never cease to bring tears to my eyes."
After the ceremony, EODMU 11 demonstrated fast roping from helicopters, underwater re-breathing, scuba, Improvised explosive device (IED) robot maneuvering, and EOD bomb suits for attendees. Morale, Welfare and Recreation also participated in the event by hosting a 5k run/ walk.
"From the ropes to the robots, I loved it all and that is why I want to come back next year," said Taylor.
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