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Operation Focus Relief

U.S. soldiers from U.S. European Command deployed to Nigeria to assist host nation and British service members to clear unexploded munitions left from a tragic accident in one of the world's largest urban areas.

Approximately 60 soldiers and Department of Defense civilians from units of U.S. Army Europe were in Lagos, Nigeria to assist service members of Nigerian armed forces to clear unexploded bombs and other munitions left from explosions the Ikeja Cantonment Area in Lagos, Nigeria on 27 Jan 02.

The mission was designated Operation AVID RECOVERY. Work began in February with site surveys, and the military phase of operations concluded on 11 Apr 02.

The majority of U.S. soldiers deployed to conduct this operation, including all of the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts, were assigned to units within the 21st Theater Support Command (TSC) from US Army Europe. The 21st TSC is based in Germany. The Task Force is commanded by Maj. Allen Cassell.

Two officers from the British armed forces also participated in the clearance effort.

U.S. units participating in the deployment included:

Explosive ordnance disposal experts are from the 720th Ordnance Company (EOD), Mannheim, Germany

Medical specialists from: the 160th Forward Surgical Team (FST), Landstuhl, Germany; 30th Medical Brigade, Heidelberg, Germany; and the First Armored Division, Wiesbaden, Germany.

In addition to the EOD and medical soldiers, others with unique skills and equipment made up the Task Force. The additional task force members provided communications, logistical and public affairs support to the EOD experts.

This operation was carefully planned with close cooperation between the U.S. Army and Nigerian government and military representatives, numerous civilian contractors and other authorities.

The EOD soldiers conducted a detailed survey and inspection of the cantonment area, identifying and marking unexploded ordnance. When the unexploded ordnance was deemed stable enough, the EOD specialists transported it to a safe location away from populated areas for destruction.

When the unexploded ordnance was determined to be too unstable to move safely, it was destroyed in place using controlled detonations of explosive charges. The Task Force informed the public through the local media prior to beginning controlled detonations on the cantonment area. These explosions were relatively small and occurred mainly between the hours of 9 AM and 1 PM. Public notices of planned operations were announced to the public to allay concerns.

In addition to stabilizing the cantonment area, the U.S. Army EOD experts provided training to the public on the dangers of ordnance and the Nigerian military personnel assisting them will be instructed on the proper handling of explosive ordnance. Ms. Chinenye Ochuba, the reigning Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria for 2002, supported the information effort by speaking to several sudent classes at nearby schools about the dangers of unexploded ordnance in and around the Ikeja Cantonment Area.

Operation Avid Recovery was just one way U.S. European Command units reach out to countries in the command's 91-country area of responsibility. EUCOM units conduct humanitarian assistance projects, as well as responding to disasters like the Ikeja accident in Nigeria and response operations during 2000 flooding in Mozambique.

The U.S. Army EOD experts redeployed to their bases in Germany and the United States not later than 15 Apr 2002.