POINT LOMA, Calif. - Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 1 held a change of command ceremony Nov. 15 at Naval Base Point Loma, Calif. During the ceremony, Cmdr. Robert Porter III relieved Cmdr. Daniel P. Malatesta as commanding officer of EODMU-1.
“To all the personnel at EODMU-1, thank you for making my job easier. All the missions were completed, international relationships were improved, and accolades were received because of your hard work, dedication, and loyalty and it is my distinct pleasure to have served with you over the last two-plus years,” said Malatesta. “Each and every one of you can be proud to say that you are or were a member of EODMU-1, the original, the biggest, and the best Navy EOD mobile unit in the United States.”
Malatesta assumed command of EODMU-1 in July 2011. During his tour, Malatesta trained and deployed four EOD mobile platoons, two EOD mine countermeasure platoons, one marine mammal system company, one combatant craft platoon, two unmanned systems platoons, and one dive platoon.
Since taking the helm, Malatesta led EODMU-1’s staff to Afghanistan, serving as Commander, Combined Joint Task Force Paladin Southwest, and prepared and deployed four EOD mobile companies in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan and three EOD platoons in support of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operations.
Capt. Robert A. Baughman, commander, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 1, served as guest speaker for the ceremony.
“Cmdr. Malatesta and his team manned, trained, equipped and deployed combat-ready EOD mine countermeasure platoons in support of high-risk EOD and underwater mine countermeasure operations. These platoons superbly executed operations with partners in multiple countries throughout Central, European and Northern Command areas of responsibility,” said Baughman. “To the entire EODMU-1 team, I'd like to say congratulations on a superb job and commend you on your accomplishments over the last two years.”
Malatesta is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned an ensign in 1995. His next assignment is to the Federal Executive Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C.
”This is a well-trained group of professional warriors and I am excited to be a member of the EODMU-1 team,” said Porter. “I’m looking forward to the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
Porter enlisted in the Navy in 1988, is a graduate of Boston University, and was commissioned in May of 1996.
EODMU-1 provides operational explosive ordnance disposal capability as required for the location, identification, rendering safe, recovery, field evaluation and disposal of all explosive ordnance, including chemical and nuclear weapons.
U.S. Navy EOD is the world’s premier combat force for countering explosive hazards and conducting expeditionary diving and salvage.
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