US, Allied Forces Begin EOD-Exercise HYDRACRAB

Expeditionary forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand andthe United States took part in an opening ceremony for Explosive OrdnanceDisposal (EOD) training exercise HYDRACRAB, a quadrilateral exercise conductedby more than 100 sailors from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and U.S. Navalforces.

The purpose of this exercise is to prepare the participatingEOD forces to operate as an integrated, capable, and potent allied force readyto respond to a changing and complex maritime environment in the Indo-Pacificregion.

“The operational environment is changing and the threatscontinue to increase and become more complex,” said Capt. Oscar Rojas, EODGroup One commanding officer. “It is fitting that HYDRACRAB is to be conductedin Guam. The island of Guam is no stranger to war, and exercising on former andpotentially future battle fields better prepares our forces for the challengesof tomorrow.”

“This exercise serves as a unique opportunity to sharetactics, techniques and procedures with integrated maritime and air assets thatwill help increase our collective warfighting effectiveness,” said Cmdr. AndrewCook, EOD Mobile Unit 5 commanding officer.

During the exercise, forces will combine to practice a widerange of expeditionary competencies to include visit, board, search, andseizure, land and sea insertion techniques, joint demolition operations, smallarms proficiency, counter improvised explosive device operations andanti-terrorism force protection diving operations.

Representing U.S. forces are personnel from ExplosiveOrdnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5, Coastal Riverine Squadron 2, assigned toCoastal Riverine Group 1 Detachment Guam, III Marine Expeditionary Forces, 36thCivil Engineering Squadron and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25.

U.S. 7th Fleet provides security alongside allies and partners throughout a free and open Indo-Pacific. As the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, 7th Fleet operates roughly 50-70 ships and submarines and 140 aircraft with approximately 20,000 sailors.

Source: US Navy