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EODMU-5 conducts three-nation Tri-Crab Exercise
SANTA RITA, Guam—Sailors from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 trained alongside members of the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force, Australian Army and Republic of Singapore Navy during the biennial Tri-Crab Exercise on U.S. Naval Base Guam.
The two-week training, which began April 28 and continued through May 9, focused on building closer relationships between the nations and enhancing the interoperability of their military units.
“That interoperability is one of [Pacific Command’s] No. 1 priorities of theater security cooperation,” said EODMU-5 commanding officer Cmdr. Oscar Rojas. “We’re definitely able to meet those lines of operation and also use Guam as a great training platform for us. As we operate throughout the [Pacific Command area of responsibility], these partners provide us access into their countries. We’re able to go in there because we already have pre-existing relationships and we can build upon that partnership that we have with them.”
Tri-Crab emphasized the multi-nation aspect of potential missions by having personnel from the three nations integrate together in four- to six-member teams. In this format, the teams developed and practiced tactics, techniques, and procedures before participating in the field-training exercise portion of the event.
“The biggest takeaway from this experience is really the integration between us and how close partners we actually are,” said Lt. Marc Rennie, Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Team One executive officer. “I’ve never been more impressed in regards to how well the U.S. can run an exercise and also train, and provide that integration.”
Service members from each nation learned how to properly handle improvised explosive devices in waterborne, vehicle, and roadside scenarios. The training also included rapid flight line clearance to prepare an area for aircraft landing in the event of a quick extraction; pier searching, which involves sending personnel to search for any device that may harm a vessel preparing to dock; and identifying weapons or explosives.
EODMU-5 is a forward-deployed command that provides mine countermeasures and joint expeditionary and special operations forces for missions within the Western Pacific and other areas as needed. (PR)
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- A U.S. explosive ordnance technician dismantles a training improvised suicide vest from an Australian colleague during a nighttime training exercise during Tri-Crab 2014 in Yigo on May 8. (U.S. NAVY/TIMOTHY WILSON)
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- From left: Republic of Singapore Navy 3 Warrant Officer Wingsoon Low, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 Lt. j.g. Matt Cowan, Royal Australian Air Force Corp. Josh Wadrop and Royal Australian Navy Able Seaman Nicholas Watters help each other secure their gear as they prepare to respond to a simulated improvised explosive device during the biennial Tri-Crab Exercise held at the U.S. Naval Base Guam flight line on May 7. (U.S. NAVY/TIMOTHY WILSON)
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- Republic of Singapore Navy 3 Warrant Officer Wingsoon Low secures an area after disposing of an improvised rocket launcher used for simulated attacks as members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 observe during the biennial Tri-Crab Exercise held near the U.S. Naval Base Guam flight line on May 7. (U.S. NAVY/TIMOTHY WILSON)
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- Republic of Singapore Navy 3 Warrant Officer Wingsoon Low investigates an improvised rocket launcher used for simulated attacks as Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Matthew Wehr, of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, observes during the biennial Tri-Crab Exercise held near the U.S. Naval Base Guam flight line on May 7. (U.S. NAVY/TIMOTHY WILSON)
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- Royal Australian Air Force Corp. Louis Karsten uses a Talon robot to perform a bomb disposal after a simulated attack during the biennial Tri-Crab Exercise held at San Luis Beach on U.S. Naval Base Guam on May 7. (U.S. NAVY/TIMOTHY WILSON)
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- Royal Australian Air Force Corp. Louis Karsten searches for improvised explosive device components after a simulated attack during the biennial Tri-Crab Exercise held at San Louis Beach on U.S. Naval Base Guam on May 7. (U.S. NAVY/TIMOTHY WILSON)
