Third Army hosts EOD exchange with Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan

Photo By Staff Sgt. Beth Lake | Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Fitch, Third Army Explosive Ordinance Device operations non-commissioned officer in charge, explains the firing system of the mock up Improvised Explosive Device to Maj. Qalandarov, of the Tajikistan military, during an EOD information exchange at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Aug. 20. The EOD Exchange included representatives from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and is part of Third Army's strategy to improve relations between the countries while helping them improve their overall self-defense capabilities. (U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Frank Davis)  

FORT WALTON BEACH, FL, UNITED STATES

08.25.2010

Story by Sgt. Beth Lake 

U.S. Army Central   

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- A visit to the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal at Fort Walton Beach, Fl. was a key part of Third Army’s EOD Information Exchange held between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Third Army’s EOD team, Aug. 16-20.

The exchange is part of Third Army’s theater security cooperation program which focuses on shaping the future by increasing interoperability between its partner nations.

During the visit, participants toured the Joint-Service All-Ranks Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course and were introduced to equipment U.S. EOD teams are using in theater. In addition, they received briefings on the Afghan EOD School and Technical Seminars.

“Our guests were able to view first hand and try out the equipment used by U.S. EOD forces,” said Lt. Col. Frank Davis, Third Army EOD officer. “They also toured the facility where all U.S. DoD EOD personnel train and become certified EOD technicians.”

Third Army has held three EOD information exchanges with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan over the past year, Davis Explained. This exchange is the second multilateral event and is promoting cooperation amongst the nations and promoting peace within the region.

“This exchange is a portion of Third Army’s overall shaping strategy to improve relationships between the U.S., Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, as well as helping them to improve their overall self-defense capability,” Davis said.

Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Defense Chief of Engineering, Col. Ziyabek Kambychekov, Tajikistan Col. Dzhafarov, and Representative from the U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan Firuza Nasimova, were presented with a certificate on the last day of the exchange, inducting, them into our Honorary EOD Society of Defuziliers.

“These events are very valuable,” Kambychekov said after receiving his certificate. “They emphasize the importance of working together as partners to strive for peace.”

• Date Taken: 08.25.2010
• Date Posted: 08.25.2010 10:45
• Story ID: 55141
• Location: FORT WALTON BEACH, FL, US