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During World War II, allied soldiers faced injury and death from
unexploded ordnance left over from German troops. The allies needed
a way to combat these threats without unnecessary risk to the
service members who tried to clear these battlefields. It was from
this challenge that explosive ordnance disposal was born.
“[EOD] was born out of necessity,” said Sgt. Matthew Prather, an EOD
technician with Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base
Camp Pendleton, EOD Team.
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May 22, 2017 - Sgt. Matthew Prather, an explosive ordnance disposal
technician with Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base
Camp Pendleton, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, inspects a remote
control bomb disposal robot at MCB Camp Pendleton, CA. Robots like
these are one of many tools that EOD Marines use to safely dispose
of unexploded ordnance and bomb threats both in the U.S. and while
deployed. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Robert Bliss)
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Prather explained that in World War II the Germans dropped bombs
that would sometimes malfunction and detonate days, weeks, or even
months after initial impact. EOD was developed by the British and
later adopted by American forces to safely dispose of these threats.
Disposing of lethal ordnance is a very dangerous occupation, said
Prather. In order for Marines to do so safely and efficiently, heavy
emphasis is put on training.
“Training is the name of the game,” said Staff Sgt. Theron
Lindenmuth. “EOD is all about staying one step ahead of the enemy.
We need to be familiar with all of the tactics that are being
employed with explosives. Whether it’s improvised explosive devices
or ordnance, we definitely stay on top of the intelligence aspect
and trends. It’s a constantly changing scenario.”
Lindenmuth, a technician with the team, said EOD Marines are
always studying the nature of explosives. This includes the
different parts of an explosive right down to the chemistry of what
causes an explosive reaction.
“There’s no such thing as too
much training when it comes to dealing with explosives,” Lindenmuth
said.
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April 11, 2017 - U.S. Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot
responds during a bomb threat simulation at the Postal Operations
Center, Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp
Pendleton, CA. The regional command post exercise is comprised of a
series of field training scenarios designed to improve regional
command and control, enhance interagency coordination, and improve
installation capabilities to respond to, and recover from, a crisis
event and validate the installation mission assurance all-hazard
plan. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Ryan Kierkegaard)
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Prather said EOD is set apart from other military
specialties by the amount of stress those involved in
explosive ordnance disposal are under.
“There are a
lot of people depending on you when you’re doing this job,”
said Prather. “You have to be right one hundred percent of
the time, the first time, or people could get hurt. It’s
just higher stakes, plain and simple.”
According to Lindenmuth,
these high stakes make EOD all the more important. This MOS
deals directly with saving lives.
“People look at us to be the solution to a very serious
situation,” said Prather. “If explosives or ordnance cause a
problem, we’re the answer.”
EOD Marines on Camp Pendleton work closely with other units to
maintain safety and quick response to any situation concerning
explosives.
“Marine Corps Installations Explosive Ordnance Disposal sections
are a force protection asset and are first responders to incidents
involving explosive threats along with other applicable emergency
services,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Richard Oldham. “As first
responders, they stand EOD duty ensuring a 24-hour per day response
capability.”
This capability extends beyond the safety of
the base and allows EOD Marines to participate on a global scale.
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April 11, 2017 - U.S. Marine Corps Explosive Ordnance Disposal
Technician coordinates with Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Fire
and Rescue during a bomb threat simulation at the Postal Operations
Center, Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp
Pendleton, CA. The regional command post exercise is comprised of a
series of field training scenarios designed to improve regional
command and control, enhance interagency coordination, and improve
installation capabilities to respond to, and recover from, a crisis
event and validate the installation mission assurance all-hazard
plan. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By Lance Cpl. Ryan Kierkegaard)
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Oldham explained that explosive ordnance disposal units
organic to I MEF support operations globally by locating,
accessing, diagnosing, rendering safe or neutralizing
unexploded ordnance, improvised explosive devices and
weapons of mass destruction that are a threat to I MEF
operations, personnel, or resources.
What started out
as a safety measure during World War II has evolved into a
sophisticated element of modern warfare. Today’s EOD Marines
use robots and other advanced technologies to protect
themselves and their fellow Marines in a 21st Century battle
space.
By U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Robert Bliss
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
The U.S. Marines
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