EOD Mobile Unite Twelve (EODMU-12), the Navy's newest EOD Mobile Unit established on 10 January 2008 deployed today to the Middle East to Command and Control EOD and Diving Operations and to plan and execute Theater Security Cooperation events in support of Maritime Security Operations.

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Eglin Air Force Base, Florida The names of 17 EOD Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen were added to the EOD memorial during the 39th annual EOD Memorial Ceremony held on 3 May 2008. The fallen honored in the ceremony ranged in age from 23 to 42. Two of the names added were those of Army EOD technicians that died in 1943 and 1944. The others were those of EOD technicians that lost their lives in 2007.

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San Diego, California Navy EOD divers are searching the waters and nearby beaches off the Navy's Silver Strand Training Facility just south of Coronado for a missing explosive charge. The underwater explosive charge, which contains C4, was initially attached to a simulated underwater sea mine during a Navy EOD training exercise.

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Fort Polk, Louisiana Soldiers of the 705th Ordnance Company, EOD, 1st Combat Support Brigade returned home after a 15th month deployment in Iraq. The members of the EOD unit were welcomed home by family and friends as well as one very special person. That person was Staff Sgt. James Pistole who served on the team for 10 months in Iraq before getting injured in an explosive accident in June. Sgt Pistole shown in the image below lost his leg and has extensive damage in his left arm due to the accident.

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Piti, Guam Although a dedicated OB/OD site has been established for the Marianas (see article posted on 17 Dec), there will be situations where it is determined that a UXO item found is too dangerous to transport. Such is the case with the WWII era 14inch projectile found yesterday in a field behind the Defense Fuel Support Port. In these cases the UXO must be rendered safe or blown in place (i.e. BIP).

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Lodi, California  Local police acting on a tip, conducted a search of a public mini storage unit found several canisters labeled as "military". Concerned that the items were explosive in nature, the police called in technical support from the EOD unit at Travis AFB.

EOD responded and identified the items as military explosive devices used in aircraft ejection seats. EOD removed the explosive charges from the locker for proper disposal. No one was injured during the incident. The ATF will undoubtedly be conducting an investigation into the matter to determine who was responsible for illegally storing explosives that appear also to be stolen government property.

Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio  Installation Safety Officials became alerted when they discovered rocket launchers inside a commercial truck making deliveries to the base. Reportedly, the rocket launchers were slated for disposal but were not properly marked as inert. The Safety personnel reported the incident to installation Security who responded and cordoned off an area around the truck. They also advised some employees in nearby buildings to temporarily move their offices. EOD was called to investigate the rocket launchers and to give the all clear. No one was injured during the incident and an investigation is underway to determine who was responsible for properly marking the rocket launchers.

Senior Airman William N. Newman, 23, of Kingston Springs, Tenn., died June 7 south of Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered from an IED. He was assigned to the EOD Team of the 15th Civil Engineer Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Source: DoD Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

In an effort to meet increasing manpower needs and mission requirements, the Navy announced an aggressive incentive program to attract retired EOD technicians into re-enlisting. The program is targeted to E-7 through E-9 qualified Master EOD Technicians that have between 19 and 25 years of military experience. The generous program pays up to 150K in bonuses.

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