QAISAR, Afghanistan – Units throughout Faryab province continue to receive support from explosive ordnance disposal technicians April 29.
Technicians from U.S. Navy EOD Mobile Unit Six, Group Two support the four contributing nations of Provincial Reconstruction Team Maimanah as well as their Afghan national security partners throughout the area of responsibility in security operations.
“We protect coalition personnel and property,” said U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Bunce, explosive ordnance disposalman, team leader, platoon 651. “We support the troops that go outside the wire and are integrated in their missions.”
The EOD technicians handle a wide array of explosives from old unexploded ordnance to live improved explosive devices as well as investigate post-blast sites. They foster a stead relationship with local Afghan national police and Afghan national army soldiers.
“Our partnership is built to ensure the safety of Afghanistan,” said Bunce when asked about his team’s relationship with the ANP and ANA. “We work together to improve tactics, techniques and procedures and hold a presence so that they will eventually not have to rely on ISAF troops.”
ISAF units have utilized EOD technicians and have made them a part of their daily operations.
“The goal is to be a proactive rather than a reactive force,” added Bunce. “Why wait for something to happen when we are direct support for forces in the field.”
“They’re a great asset and are always eager to help,” said U.S. Army Capt. James Thornton, battery commander, A Battery, 1st Battalion, 84th Field Artillery Regiment, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “Operational cooperation is key and the work goes beyond helping each other; it’s a friendship.”
The EOD team supports any forces that require their assistance and maintain an operational material readiness level which allows them to support multiple units at any given time.
