Sailors Participate in Eurasian Partnership Mine Counter Measure Exercise

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Sean P Rinner | 200806-N-RH019-0058 CONSTANTA, Romania, (Aug. 6, 2020) U.S. and Romanian Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal technicians pose with their countries’ flags under the Black Sea, to close out, Eurasian Partnership Mine Countermeasures (EP MCM) 2020 exercise, Aug. 6, 2020. EPMCM is a multi-lateral engagement with U.S., Romania and Bulgaria focused on enhancing mine countermeasure operations in the Black Sea and promoting interoperability. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sean Rinner)  

CONSTANTA, ROMANIA

08.06.2020

Courtesy Story

Commander Task Force 68

Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8 participated in exercise Eurasian Partnership Mine Counter Measure (EP MCM) Dive 2020 in Constanta, Romania, August 3-6, 2020.

EP MCM Dive 2020 is a multinational maritime exercise, between the United States, Romania, and Bulgarian Naval forces, designed to improve operational and tactical interoperability among the participating units. Exercises like EP MCM happen annually, bringing the experiences of different international Explosive Ordinance Disposal personnel (EOD) to the field. During the three days, they were able to learn from past events, share the newest tactics and demonstrate the most up to date technology available.

During the exercise, service members from each unit had the opportunity to discuss procedures in mine detection and the safe retrieval and shoring of the mines. The participating countries also covered the different ways of disrupting and safely detonating explosives.

During the operation, EOD technicians from Romania and Bulgaria worked with U.S. technicians to test new mine detection equipment, use detonation devices that allowed for the technicians to safely deactivate and later study mines and improvised explosive devices. They met their ultimate goals of making safe ordinance, and improving tactics, techniques and procedures, while cultivating better cohesion between allied forces.

Their goals for the next exercise include using a larger variation of explosives, increasing the amount of ordinance used and the use of different types of charges. During exercise, the partnering countries worked together through team integration, which combined individual experiences to create newer and more effective methods to complete the mission safely.

Navy Expeditionary Combat Force Europe-Africa/Task Force 68 is responsible for providing explosive ordnance disposal operations, naval construction, expeditionary security and theater security efforts to Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. 6th Fleet.

• Date Taken: 08.06.2020
• Date Posted: 08.17.2020 12:37
• Story ID: 375870
• Location: CONSTANTA, RO