CHANGI NAVAl BASE, Singapore -- U.S. Marine explosive ordnance disposal technicians with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, welcomed Cmdr. K.H. Chew, Singapore Navy EOD officer in charge, and 15 Singapore Navy EOD technicians and divers aboard the USS Boxer at Changi Naval Base, Singapore, Oct. 4.
"It was a distinct pleasure to meet the Singapore Navy EOD Divers and their Commanding Officer LTC Chew," said Staff Sgt. Anthony Delmont, explosive ordnance disposal technician with CLB-13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. "Explosive Ordnance Disposal is a community, which regardless of country or government, will actively seek out opportunities to communicate and learn from other bomb disposal experts." The visit provided an opportunity for U.S. Marines and Singapore Navy to conduct an exchange of greetings and build interoperable, professional relationships. As Marines guided the group from the USS Boxer lover V to the flight deck, they exchanged knowledge about EOD roles and responsibilities aboard the ship. The tour culminated in the ship's flag mess for a brief on the Marines' experiences encountering Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom improvised explosive device tactics, techniques, procedures and how they adapted to an evolving battlefield quickly. EOD technicians and divers from the Singapore Navy also discussed their operations and their overwhelming responsibility they have ensuring the safety of the maritime traffic and the difficulties occasionally encountered in some of their responses, Delmont said. "It is incumbent upon us to share our lessons learned with our EOD brothers and sisters and we look forward to furthering the relationship between the United States Marine and Singapore EOD technicians," Delmont said. EOD Marines recently showcased their broad field experience during Operation Tropic Thunder in Hawaii and Amphibious Landing Exercise 14.1 in the Philippines. Both exercises aimed to sustain operability and readiness to respond to any crisis throughout the Western Pacific.
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