MC2 Jhi L. Scott Explosive ordnance disposal technicians are using remote-controlled machines to help detect and defuse improvised explosive devices.

One of the most poignant and frustrating challenges that U.S. forces have faced in operations overseas in the Global War on Terror has been the loss of American lives attributed to our adversaries’ use of unconventional explosive devices, commonly termed improvised explosive devices, or IEDs.

Perhaps more than any other U.S. military command, the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technology Division has focused squarely on defeating this threat with the purpose of serving as the recognized leader for technology, information and knowledge management, to enable the EOD warfighter to defeat our enemies and come home safely. This purpose is reflected in the command’s motto, ‘‘Keeping Them Off the Wall,” a reference to the EOD Memorial wall that honors the names of fallen EOD technicians, located at the Kauffman Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Complex at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

The Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV), headquartered at Naval Support Facility Indian Head’s Stump Neck Annex, traces its origin to World War II when the U.S. Navy recognized the need for countering advanced and complex weapons systems being deployed by other nations.

In 1941, the Naval Mine Disposal School was established in Washington, D.C., and the Naval Bomb Disposal School was established shortly thereafter. In 1945, both schools combined to form the Naval Ordnance Disposal Unit and by 1946 had relocated to the Naval Powder Factory in Indian Head, Md.

Many years and advancements later, the command was renamed as the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division and as of Oct. 1, 2007, began reporting to the Naval Sea Systems Command as a division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center.

Critical to Homeland Defense and the Warfighter

Ongoing global events and evolving threats over the past few years have reemphasized how critical NAVEODTECHDIV's mission is to homeland defense and the warfighter, representing the largest concentration of EOD knowledge in the world. The command has focused all efforts to exploit technology and intelligence to increase the efficiency and effectiveness with which state-of-the-art EOD technology and information solutions are provided to joint service EOD warfighters around the world. The command has grown to its present employment of more than 500 military members, federal civilian employees and contractor personnel to accomplish its expanding functions.

NAVEODTECHDIV is the official home of the Joint Service EOD Technology Program and works to provide Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen worldwide with the information and technological solutions they need to detect⁄locate, access, identify, render safe, recover⁄exploit, and dispose of both conventional and unconventional explosive threats.

The command also staffs the Joint Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technical Support Center (JEODTSC), which functions as a one-stop-shop for information and decision support to EOD operators worldwide. The JEODTSC, which is fully staffed during normal duty hours and responds to all “urgent“ requests for information during off hours, was established to better provide EOD technicians worldwide with real-time information essential to countering rapidly-evolving sophisticated explosive threats. The Technical Support Center provides single point access to NAVEODTECHDIV’s technical information library and subject matter expert resources.

Comprehensive RDT&ECapabilities

NAVEODTECHDIV provides explosive ordnance disposal technology to the joint services through EOD knowledge management and the development of EOD procedures and technical information, to include reach-back capability, to counter explosive threats. The command operates several state-of-the-art facilities that enable NAVEODTECHDIV to provide this comprehensive support, to include a foreign ordnance electronics exploitation facility, magnetic test signature test facility, ordnance disassembly complex, radiography and photography laboratories, explosive test ranges and a hypervelocity test range.

The primary customers for the NAVEODTECHDIV's products and services are the joint service EOD operators. However, the command partners with foreign governments and other U.S. Government entities to create synergy and share pertinent information. Many benefit from the unique products and services produced by the command, which include: