MT. GOLESH, Kosovo - Explosions blasted mud in the air as soldiers conducted detonation of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Kosovo.
Soldiers with Kosovo Force 19 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, Kosovo Security Force (KSF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, and a Kosovo Police (KP) Improvised Explosive Device (IED) defeat teams, participate in the disposal of more than 200 pounds of recovered explosive hazards at the Kosovo Police demolition range in Mt. Golesh, Kosovo, March 18.
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Zachary Abood, with the 763rd Ordnance Company EOD, stationed out of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and the EOD detachment commander for Multinational Battle Group-East, was the overseer of his team of four U.S. EOD technicians.
“We participated in the disposing of the UXO’s, and it was a great opportunity for all of the nations to work together,” said Abood. “The purpose of today was to utilize the minimum amount of explosives to appropriately dispose of the UXO’s that way we are all practicing maximizing our resources.”
Ukraine, Moldovan, Austrian, U.S. and Kosovo EOD technicians paired up for the disposal of the recovered mortar and artillery rounds using plastic explosives. The Austrian led demolition range performed three rounds of detonations. Each multinational EOD team set up and used their countries plastic explosive materials until all of the UXO’s were destroyed properly.
“The KFOR EOD mission here in Kosovo is very important to the KSF and KP in the support of operations,” said Abood of todays mission. “We all try to come together and help any time we can. A part of what we are doing out here the UXO disposal is an ongoing mission and coordination with Kosovo. It has been a very rewarding and mutual relationship to be apart of KFOR 19 and I am looking forward to more missions to come.”
The EOD teams hope to come together again for another demolition range in April.