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EOD Keeps VS12 Strike Group Mission Ready

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120916-01
9/16/2012

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ricardo Guzman, USS George Washington Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Guam-based Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Battalion 503 is aboard the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) conducting operations during the U.S. joint exercise Valiant Shield 2012 (VS12) Sept. 11 - 19.

VS12 focuses on integrated joint training among U.S. military forces and enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces' ability to detect, locate, track and engage units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas.

"The EOD team provides a lot of support for [VS12]," said Lt. Jonathan Mocker, EOD liaison officer for Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70. "EOD can be looked at as an enabler for the entire force. So far we've conducted a helicopter visit, board, search and seizure (HVBSS); combat search and rescue (CSAR); and assisted in a sinking exercise."

One of the exercises EOD took part in was a HVBSS aboard USS Mustin (DDG 89).

"EOD did a tactical fast rope aboard Mustin and integrated with their visit, board, search and seizure team," said Mocker. "We searched the ship for improvised explosive devices, we successfully prosecuted a hostage device and then tactically extracted it off Mustin."

To prepare for the exercise, the EOD team not only practiced the tactics and techniques involved, but also helped the "Chargers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 14 and the VBSS team aboard USS McCampbell (DDG 85).

"We contributed in supporting HS-14 on the HVBSS exercise they were being graded on," said Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician John Kristofferson. "Prior to VS12, we integrated with them and McCampbell's VBSS team, and went through their execution check list to make sure they passed. EOD practices their techniques wherever and whenever they can to stay mission ready."

"A lot of training for EOD is internal training," Mocker added. "The team has done a couple of fast rope and rappel exercises in [George Washington's] hangar bay and flight deck. We're currently on deployment and we always have to be 100 percent mission ready."

Although EOD assists with other elements during VS12, one of it's primary missions is conducting operations alongside HS-14.

"The purpose of [VS12] is to help HS-14 with one of their qualifications," said Kristtofferson. "Their role is to try to save a downed pilot while we fire; we play opposing forces. They then rappel us, and go and save the down pilot. We're also doing cast and recovery, where they hover 10 feet above the water and we hop out into the ocean. The aircrew then picks us up with a hoist to practice their recovery skills."

EOD is not only dedicated in ensuring all explosives are disposed of, but they're also dedicated to ensuring that their supporting units are as effectively trained as possible.

"We're trying to assist HS 14 as best as we can," said Kristofferson. "They're our means of transportation and we look to them to ensure that that happens. Since they help us out in a great way, we try to help them out any way we can."

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific region.