EODOSU 10 Deploys to Middle East

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SCW) Paul D. Williams

April 5, 2010 - VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Fifteen Sailors with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operational Support Unit (EODOSU) 10 deployed April 1 for six month deployments to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations.

The three five-man platoons, comprised almost entirely of Reservists, are tasked with providing EOD ground support to military installations and conducting ordnance clearance dives of harbors and waterways in the region.

"Our primary mission on this deployment is going to be searching piers and tug boats where U.S. Navy ships will come along side," said Hull Technician 1st Class Joseph Butasek. "And if we spot anything that looks suspicious or is an explosive, then we call an EOD platoon."

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Michael Rondinone, along with his platoon, is charged with providing EOD response for the general facilities at U.S. military installations. This will include disarming bombs and neutralizing improvised explosive devises (IED).

According to Rondinone the fact that he is serving with Reservists during this deployment provides a high level of experience in the EOD platoon to which he is attached.

"We have a lot of diversity in our backgrounds and civilian jobs," said Rondinone. "As far as the maturity factor goes, everyone on the team is an E-6 or above, and everyone has been in the military for quite some time."

Sailors from these three platoons will be stationed throughout the Middle East and provide security against conventional ordnance, and neutralize IEDs, landmines, and weapons of mass destruction, as well as conduct force protection diving and underwater mine countermeasures.