EODMU 5 Detachment Marianas helps dispose of ordnance in Saipan

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Kory Alsberry | SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Jan. 24, 2019) Lt. Anna Mansueti, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 2nd class Nicholas Ringo, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, Detachment Marianas (DETMAR), gather World War II-era Japanese ordnance for detonation in Saipan. EODMU-5 DETMAR is currently in Saipan responding to a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island government request to help rid the island of ordnance from WWII. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kory Alsberry/Released)  

NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

01.28.2019

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kory Alsberry 

Commander Task Force 75

SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit FIVE (EODMU5), Detachment Marianas (DET MARI), were in Saipan Jan. 22 – 26 to respond to Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) government request to dispose of unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Per DoD policy in the Munitions Response Implementation Policy, the US is required to support local authorities with any military munitions in the U.S. and U.S. territories when requested.

DET MARI provided the CNMI Fire Department training on demolition and basic EOD skills while they set up for demolition of the UXO.

"Responding to CNMI to assist with the disposal of WWII UXO is very rewarding," said Lt. Mark Snyder, officer in charge of DET MARI. "It's great to partner with the CNMI Fire Department and utilize our training to help the CNMI community. By safely disposing of the UXO, we're removing a safety hazard to public safety and the environment."

On average, CNMI Fire Department finds UXO, at least once a week. They also do surveys of WWII Japanese sites to locate UXO.
After WWII, untold tons of ordnance left behind by Japanese and coalition forces are now buried and overgrown on the island, which remain a threat, particularly during construction.

DET MARI destroyed approximately 2000 lbs. of net explosive weight of UXO.

CTF-75 has the ability to create adaptive force packages (AFP) with Navy Expeditionary Forces that can be used alone or in support of other CTFs to meet 7th Fleet goals and objectives. The AFP concept is important to bringing the right tailored capability to respond to irregular challenges and contingency operations, creating synergy and the ability to effectively and efficiently command and control forces for non-standard missions.

• Date Taken: 01.28.2019
• Date Posted: 01.29.2019 01:38
• Story ID: 308567
• Location: MP