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Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit SEVEN (EODMU SEVEN) has distinguished itself as the premier mobile unit in the Navy, excelling at completing the toughest tasks with professionalism, efficiency, and precision. EODMU SEVEN is the only unit assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group THREE continuously employing forces in mobile; Mine Countermeasures (MCM); Carrier Strike Group (CSG), Ranger; and U.S. Army Special Operations Force (SOF) mission areas. Its platoons perform at the highest levels and continue to receive praise from EOD, Navy, and Army supported and supporting commanders and operators. EODMU SEVENhas especially distinguished itself during the period of March 2010 through June 2012 and is deserving of the Navy Unit Commendation. Specific accomplishments include:
Deployed as CTG 56.6/Commander Joint Task Force Troy-North (JTFT-N) to Contingency Operating Base (COB) Speicher near Tikrit, Iraq from March to September 2010 ISO Operations IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) and NEW DAWN (OND). CTG 56.6/JTFT-N provided command and control of joint service EOD forces and specialized Counter-IED (C-IED) enablers to render safe, eliminate, and exploit explosive hazards and improvised explosive devices (IED) in direct support of Task Force Marne. Coordinated battalion efforts to support five U.S. Army, Air Force, and Navy EOD companies, six Army Weapons Intelligence Teams (WIT), and Combined Exploitation Cell-North (CEXC-N).
– Responsible for all Counter-IED efforts within the 40,000 square mile area of Iraq controlled by United States Division-North (USD-N). Successfully completed 747 combat missions including, over 43,000 kilometers of route clearance operations, clearing 113 IEDs and 201 arms caches, conducting 284 post-blast analyses, and destroying 147,536 ordnance items totaling 23,403 lbs net explosive weight (NEW) of hazardous remnants of war ordnance.
– JTFT-N forces conceived, planned, and executed two named operations. The first operation unilaterally destroyed 11 chemical munitions and then partnered with Iraqi Chemical Defense Company (CDC) to advise and assist in destroying 391 additional chemical munitions. The second operation was Iraqi CDC first-ever operational employment was deemed an unqualified success by U.S. and Iraqi officials. In both operations, rounds were decontaminated, packaged, moved to a safe disposal area, and destroyed without spreading contamination, reaching national level interests, and were instrumental in furthering the capacity of the Iraqi military to take control of its own chemical stockpiles and remnants of war.
– Coordinated CEXC-N at COB Speicher manned by a combination of forces from Bravo Company 22nd Chemical Munitions Technical Escort Unit (B/22 CM TEU), USN EOD, individual augmentees, and civilian contractors. CEXC-N initiated forensic testing on all IED components recovered in the USD-N AOR including documents, signals, biometrics, electronics, and chemical analyses. All evidence was entered into U.S. and Iraqi national databases to track violent extremists and criminals. CEXC-N processed 464 cases yielding 148 target support packages accounting for 50 actionable targets. 18 of 24 arrest warrant support packages were approved by the Iraqi government, providing critical intelligence information used to target violent extremists.
– Produced over 200 intelligence products and 700 foreign disclosure reports supporting JTF Troy, USD-N, USF-I, and Iraqi partners critical in defeating terrorist IED networks.
– Conducted 126 Iraqi partnership training events and 88 key leader engagements facilitating the transition to stability operations through efforts of advising, training, assisting and equipping Iraqi partners. As a result, Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) conducted 545 EOD missions, 104 with U.S. forces, accounting for a 100% increase in ISF unilateral responses from the previous six months.
– Played a significant role in the Responsible Drawdown of Forces in Iraq, including providing logistics to reduce combat equipment by 50% over a six month period. Lauded by THIRD Infantry Division/US Division-North Commander for successfully increasing Iraq’s capacity to defeat IEDs, target IED networks, and respond to an asymmetric threat. Lessons learned will professionalize Joint EOD Tactics, Techniques and Procedures as we continue to play a significant role in the GWOT and our Nation’s Irregular Warfare strategy.
– JTFT-N personnel received 90 combat awards including Bronze Star Medals, Meritorious Service Medals, Army Commendation Medals and Army Achievement Medals.
– During four CIF deployments to Iraq in 2010 and 2011, EODMU SEVEN platoons provided support to US Army Special Operations Groups ONE, THREE, and FIVE to Iraq, and UAE. Conducted 113 combat missions providing expert tactical advice on booby traps and sensitive site exploitation (SSE) and identifying weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and homemade explosives (HME) development capabilities. Provided tactical intelligence and direct support during raids on suspected insurgents, helping to kill or capture high-level insurgents.
Deployed to COMFIFTHFLT in Bahrain as combined Task Group 56.1/56.9 from January to June 2012 ISO Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). Operational commander of 120 personnel including task group staff, four EOD platoons, one Mobile Diving and Salvage company, one Intelligence Exploitation Team (IET), one Combat Camera detachment, and one Maritime Civil Affairs Team (MCAT).
– CTG 56.1 conducted underwater salvage and EOD operations in order to support maritime security, strengthen partnerships, deter disruptive countries, and counter violent extremism in FIFTHFLEET AOR. Accomplishments include:
– Provided expert leadership, planning and mentorship in the areas of C-IED, Underwater Mine Countermeasures (UMCM), Anti-terrorism/Force protection (AT/FP) Diving, Theater Security Cooperation (TSC), and Underwater Salvage and Ships Husbandry (UWSH) diving. Total dive operations included: 572 local AT/FP dives, 38 AT/FP fly-away dives, 66 ship husbandry dives, and 101 other dives, totaling over 387 hours of bottom time.
– Conducted emergent UWSH services for USS MOMSEN damaged controllable pitch propellers (CPP), berthed in United Arab Emirates (UAE), removing and capping propeller blades two days ahead of schedule. Divers accumulated 252 hours of bottom time over seven days while conducting in water replacement of five CPP blades. This repair was the first ever waterborne removal and capping flange installation, saving the U.S. Navy $1.4M in contracting and dry dock fees, and allowing MOMSEN to continue its vital mission tasking in theater.
– Coordinated interoperability training with Bahraini Ministry of Interior (MOI) including a forensics symposium. Training facilitated information exchange and fostered critical relationships. Information gained directly affected security postures and measures employed by COMUSNAVCENT.
– Developed FIFTHFLEET Concept of Operations (CONOP) on responding to multiple floating mines in the Arabian Gulf, creating the way ahead for deployed EOD forces to clear multiple floating mines if encountered.
– Planned and executed five COMUSNAVCENT Theater Security Cooporation (TSC) exercises specifically designed to further relationships and exchange EOD and diving information with partner nations in the AOR.
– As a part of Exercise EAGER LION in Jordan, conceived and executed the first mobilization of CTG 56.1 C2 element, providing proof of concept and equipment validation of such an element when needed.
– As CTU 52.1.3, UMCM Commander, for two international exercises, conducted C2 of U.S. and U.K. UMCM forces. Provided timely and accurate information to the overall MCM Commander ensuring a clear flow of information in order safely conduct diving operations.
– Revamped ordnance handling and requisition procedures due to loss of magazines in Bahrain. Coordinated Code retrograde ordnance shipment to Kuwait and disposed of over 29,000 pieces of unserviceable ordnance.
– CTG 56.9 conducted intelligence and media operations to mitigate or eliminate regional threats and positively influence regional governments in the AOR. Accomplishments include:
– Integrated with Special Operations Command Crisis Response Element (SOCCRE), providing media exploitation and biometric collection to facilitate the maritime interdiction of a high value individual.
– Collected intelligence during 48 suspect vessel boardings that freed three dhows and 48 crew members from pirate control. Collected information on 62 suspected pirates at sea and turned over 15 suspects for prosecution.
– Collected first-time intelligence on foreign navies of interest to the highest levels of national intelligence, lauded as incredibly valuable.
– Provided photographic documentation of boardings, exercises, and significant operations throughout the FIFTHFLEET AOR. Collected 90,842 photographic images of which 535 were released, captured over 42 hours of video and provided written and photographic articles leading to three published Navy news stories.
Administratively trained and supported 14 EOD platoons deployed in support of three Carrier Strike Groups (CSG), USA Special Forces and SOCCRE.
EODMU SEVEN Platoons embarked in support of Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) onboard USS ENTERPRISE, USS BUSH, and USS EISENHOWER, conducting thousands of hours of flight deck operations, ensuring safe handling of all ordnance. Embarked EOD platoons conducted more than 200 AT/FP dives in support of strike group vessels entering ports throughout SIXTH and FIFTH Fleets AOR. Functioning as liaisons with Navy Criminal Investigation Service, and local military and law enforcement agencies, all high-value U.S.-flagged vessels operated without imminent threat of explosive hazards while in berthed in foreign ports. Additionally, embarked platoons took part in Fleet level exercises and TSC events exercising U.S. Navy EOD capabilities and demonstrating interoperability with allied nation EOD and diving forces.
The officers and Sailors assigned to EODMU SEVEN, CTG 56.1, 56.6 and 56.9, and CTU 52.1.3, provided expert training, planning, coordination, operational management, and execution of a myriad of U.S. Navy, joint, and allied forces operating in five diverse mission areas ranging from EOD and diving to intelligence collection and exploitation. Operating on land and at sea in NORTHCOM, SOUTHCOM, EUCOM, AFRICOM, and CENTCOM AORs, and successfully meeting every mission tasking with resounding success, prove EODMU SEVEN is highly worthy the Navy Unit Commendation.