Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan McLearnon | NAVAL AMPHIBIOUS BASE CORONADO (Oct. 3, 2025) – Cmdr. John Hayes III, incoming...... read more read more
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SAN DIEGO – Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 3 welcomed its newest commanding officer during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Base Coronado Oct. 3.
Cmdr. John Hayes III relieved Cmdr. Warren Fogler during a ceremony with friends, family and EODMU 3 personnel in attendance.
Fogler, from Melbourne, Fla., took command of EODMU 3 in Oct. 2023. Heading a team of 202 Sailors, Fogler led seven subordinate expeditionary mine countermeasures (ExMCM), EOD, mobile diving and salvage (MDS), and Navy Exploitation Laboratory (NEL) Task Units in a force aligned deployment. He directed crisis salvage and repair operations in multiple areas of responsibility and led forces in the execution of two named operations in the Subsea and Seabed Warfare (SSW) domain. Under his leadership, EODMU 3 earned the Battle ‘E’ award for the command’s significant contributions and accomplishments in 2024.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve alongside the men and women of EOD Mobile Unit THREE,” said Fogler. “Their professionalism, unrelenting grit, humor and camaraderie made this the highlight of my career. I am incredibly proud to have called myself a part of this team.”
Following his tenure at EODMU 3, Fogler will retire from the Navy.
Presiding over the ceremony was Capt. Clint Cornell, commodore of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One (EODGRU) 1. In his remarks, Cornell noted the tradition and significance of command in the Navy.
“The culture of command has been the Navy’s foundation of success for 250 years,” said Cornell. “Leading teams through peace and war, commanders present the ability to make a difference and the individuals they serve.”
The keynote speaker at the event was retired Capt. Wade Hilderbrand. He praised Fogler for over 22 years of Navy service within the EOD community.
“For 22 years, you have been a part of the best community in our military, a community of absolutely extraordinary human beings, bound together by mission, sacrifice, and purpose,” said Hilderbrand. “These bonds are for life, and the EOD community will always be there for you.”
Hayes, from Plainsboro, N.J., arrives at EODMU 3 following a tour as Chief Staff Officer at the Center for Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Diving. During his first address to the command, he discussed the importance of sustaining the human factor of mission readiness.
“In today’s complex warfighting environment, accomplishing missions and solving problems requires a more robust and agile approach than ever before,” said Hayes. “To that end, building and maintaining trust, and fostering a culture based on the ‘ideal team player’ model are the bedrock upon which we will not just meet mission, but consistently excel.”
EODMU 3 is a subordinate command of EODGRU 1 and operates as part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force providing skilled, capable, and combat-ready deployable Navy EOD and Navy Diver forces around the globe to support a range of operations.
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2025 14:56 |
| Story ID: | 551604 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 54 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, EODMU 3 Holds Change of Command, by LT Erin Wiley, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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