Media Release
U.S. Navy Explosives Disposal Team Safely Removes WWII Explosives
September 30, 2009
On September 28th, the U.S. Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit FIVE Detachment Marianas (EODMU FIVE DET MARIANAS) successfully detonated and disposed of over fifty explosive ordnances at Sokehs Island Quarry in Pohnpei. This safety exercise came at the request of Pohnpei State through the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Embassy in Kolonia.
The EODMU’s three-man team of Lieutenant Erich Jurges, Chief Petty Officer Brian FitzGerald, and Petty Officer First Class Cliff Sabo arrived in Pohnpei on September 24th. The following day, the unit conducted a full mission brief for U.S. Embassy and Pohnpei State Officials including the Honorable Governor John Ehsa, the Honorable Lieutenant Governor Churchill Edward, Chief of Staff Ihlen Joseph, Attorney General Scott Garvey, and Department of Public Safety Director Lucas Carlos.
On Monday morning, the unit provided a demolition safety brief to supporting personnel. Following the safety brief, EOD Detachment Marianas transported the ordnances to the established disposal site and used twelve small detonations to destroy the unexploded ordnances (UXOs). To mitigate risk, the Unit covered the ordnances with sand, cleared the site of vegetation, and performed all detonations electronically. They also coordinated the Pohnpei State Public Safety, Fire Department, and Pohnpei International Airport officials to secure the region’s land, ocean, and air spaces.
Attending Monday’s detonation was U.S. Embassy Chargé d’ Affaires William Douglass.
In a farewell reception for the EOD Detachment Marianas, Department of Public Safety Emergency Assistance Officer Dais Lorrin thanked the group for providing “life-saving technical assistance” to Pohnpei. Lorrin expressed his gratitude to the U.S. Embassy for arranging the exercise, as well as his hope that Micronesians currently serving in the U.S. military will acquire the technical skills necessary to handle explosive ordnances.
EOD Mobile Unit FIVE Detachment Marianas is well-versed in disarming World War II ordnances. Since January 1st, the U.S. Navy group has successfully disposed of over 4000 UXOs in the Pacific, accounting for more than 5000 pounds worth of explosives. Lieutenant Jurges explained that “[disarming explosive ordnances] is very rewarding work; every time we dispose of an ordnance we are preventing the loss of life…” He added that if when other UXOs are found the best thing to do is work through official government channels to insure that the UXOs are safely removed or destroyed.