Task Force Sparta members assist French Military with range clearance operations.

Photo By Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy | U.S. Sailors with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Mobile Unit 6, Task Force Sparta proceed downrange to a safe area for the remote removal and identification of impacted ordnance in Djibouti in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Oct. 22, 2016. During this operation, Navy and French EOD personnel worked bilaterally to safely clear their respective areas of unexploded ordnance. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa is a multinational effort to conduct theater security cooperation, combat violent extremism and enable freedom of movement within East Africa in order to defend U.S. interests and support aligned regional efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy)  

DJIBOUTI, DJIBOUTI

10.22.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy 

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

DJIBOUTI -- U.S. Navy Sailors with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 6, Task Force Sparta, assisted a French EOD team with range clearance operations, Oct. 22, 2016, at a range near Koron, Djibouti.

During this mission, Capt. Philippe, a member of the French military EOD team, and Chief Petty Officer Adam Bartch, EODMU 6 range safety officer, operated their teams bilaterally to clear different sections of the range. Operations included sweeping the designated areas, identifying hazards, and disposing of any identified hazards.

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Perrine, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa range coordinator, said that Camp Lemonnier members use the range from 15 to 20 times a month, which equates to over 50 training area requests monthly.

Perrine said that this is the first time in at least three years that a Camp Lemonnier EODMU team assisted the French with range clearance operations.

Philippe explained that this was his first time working jointly with the American military, but all were able to coordinate together to accomplish the task.

“The teams worked together seamlessly and with no real communication issues,” Bartch said.

Both the French and Navy EOD teams voiced the importance of safety.

“Safety was effectively communicated from the French EOD Leadership and the Navy EOD Leadership,” said Bartch.

The range near Koron is cleared once a year. The units operated independently in different sectors of the range and all identified hazards were either collected or blown-in-place.

“Overall, the coordination was smooth,” said Lt. Alex Eagan, EODMU 6 officer in charge. “Both sides were well-versed in the plan and confident the other elements would perform their role safely and effectively."

Upon completion of the mission, Philippe hopes to continue working jointly with U.S. Armed Forces for future range clearances and training opportunities.

• Date Taken: 10.22.2016
• Date Posted: 10.27.2016 09:16
• Story ID: 213069
• Location: DJIBOUTI, DJ