EOD information exchange builds relationships, increases interoperability

Photo By Staff Sgt. Beth Lake | Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Fitch, Third Army/U.S. Army Central Explosive Ordnance Disposal operations non-commissioned officer, explains the function of the improvised explosive device he found inside of this vehicle born IED during a practical exercise at Third Army's EOD seminar in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 22. More than 40 soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers attended the information exchange which focused on EOD operations, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear and demining operations. (U.S. Army photo by Lt. Col. Frank Davis)  

BEIRUT, LEBANON

09.24.2010

Story by Sgt. Beth Lake 

U.S. Army Central   

BEIRUT, Lebanon – Six members of Third Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and the Department of Defense Humanitarian Demining Research and Development Program partnered with members of the Lebanese Armed Forces for an EOD seminar in Beirut, Lebanon, Sept. 20-24. More than 40 Soldiers, noncommissioned officers, and officers attended the information exchange, which focused on EOD operations, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear and demining operations.

“The focus of this event is to allow the Third Army team to present current U.S. Army EOD best practices and for both armies to exchange lessons learned from their respective experiences and best practices,” said Lt. Col. Frank Davis, Third Army/U.S. Army Central EOD Officer. “This event will serve as a relationship builder between the LAF and Third Army in the development of counter-improvised explosive device defeat capabilities, CBRN, and demining operations.”

This is the final EOD exchange for 2010 and that at least four are scheduled for 2011 which will include ENFORCE 2011 and the Global EOD Conference in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.

Participants toured the Lebanon Mine Action Center and received briefings on the current demining situation in Lebanon before attending a hands-on portion of the class where they received a presentation on EOD tools, methods, and procedures.

“During the practical exercise, about 40 Soldiers received a scenario briefing and were required to develop a plan of action to render safe or neutralize multiple improvised explosive devices,” said Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Fitch, Third Army EOD Operations NCO. “This exercise was very educational and informative as the Soldiers were broken down into two teams and developed response procedures to IED themed scenarios.”

An important event from this exercise was for students to be able to make decisions and think clearly while wearing the EOD bomb suit in extreme heat and stressful conditions.

Davis explained that EOD information exchanges and seminars increase interoperability between the 20 countries in U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The EOD exchanges have expanded the relationship between Third Army's EOD team and the LAF Engineering Regiment.

"EOD exchanges like this give us the opportunity to work with such a large number of EOD soldiers at one time and build on our militaries’ relationships, as well as, learn from our partners,” said Davis.

• Date Taken: 09.24.2010
• Date Posted: 09.27.2010 11:14
• Story ID: 57075
• Location: BEIRUT, LB