Dear All, 

It is with again sincere sadness I must report the loss of three of our Navy brothers. Yesterday a team from EODMU11 Det 1 
(Whidbey Island, Washington) was transitioning between operating locations when their convoy was hit. Sadly this is almost a daily occurance here, but it hits especially hard when it is one of our own. 

Please take a moment to honor these fine men, and to say an Easter prayer for their families and loved ones. 

EODC Gregory Biliter EOD1 Joseph McSween EOD2 Curtis Hall 

As always the Dover team will do our best to keep you apprised of any funeral information. 

Respectfully, 

Maj. Amber R. Kasbeer, P.E. USAF CJTF-Troy, Deputy J3 Amber.kasbeer@iraq.centcom.mil Amber.kasbeer@s-iraq.centcom.smil.mil DSN VOIP: 318-822-4841 SVOIP: 302-243-4368 


### ITEM 1 ### 

NNS070330-27. Whidbey Island EOD Unit Receives Bronze Stars 

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bruce McVicar, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det NW 

WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Robert Passmore, the vice commander for Navy Reserve Forces Command, presented Bronze Star medals to 15 members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 in an award ceremony March 28. 

The Bronze Stars were awarded for heroic or meritorious achievements in Operation Iraqi Freedom while deployed during June 2006 to January 2007. 

"It's a great day for me to meet the members of this unit and present awards," Passmore said. "I'm humbled to be in the presence of so many heroes." 

"I like the fact that the every member of our team is receiving awards," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal 1st Class David Hawxhurst. 

"We are truly blessed and fortunate that the entire team is back with no causalities," said Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Rodric Gagnon. "That fact is more important then the award." 

"It's a unique situation to be honored in this way," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal 1st Class Brian Stanley. 

The awards came from U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, commander of the Multinational Corps in Iraq. 

"It's great being recognized but it doesn't diminish the contributions each member of the entire explosive ordnance unit accomplishes, from the top on down" said Explosive Ordnance Disposal 1st Class Anthony Tubolino. 

"The effort this team put forth to complete the job during a difficult deployment was incredible," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal 2nd Class Justin Jewett. 

The 15-member EOD unit identified, rendered safe and disposed of unexploded ordnance, weapons caches, captured enemy ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IED) and vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. 

"This award is all about teamwork," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal 1st Class Bert Marley. 

"It's nice to be recognized for what we completed on deployment," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal 2nd Class Andrew Lehtinen. 

After the ceremony Passmore addressed the unit, thanking them for their contributions. 

"The outstanding role this unit is providing makes a huge difference in Iraq," he said. "You truly are the very best at your job." 

Passmore also spoke individually with spouses and family members who were in attendance. "It's very hard on the families who watch these Sailors deploy," Passmore said. 

"It meant a lot to stand here with every member of my team," said Lt. Kevin Gamble. "To come home with no injuries or loss of life makes this award special." 

The team's efforts provided protection to coalition forces by neutralizing hundreds of IEDs overseas. 

For related news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil. 

-USN- 

### ITEM 2 ###

 NNS070403-18. 

Sailors Gather with Community for Military Appreciation Day

 By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Angela Grube, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Detachment Northwest SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) --

 Hundreds of service members and civilians gathered at the Kitsap Mall, here, March 31 for the sixth annual Military Appreciation Day. More than 70 booths lined the mall to showcase military might in the area. Some booths featured static displays and others were interactive. "We serve the United States ...the taxpayers, in an indirect way, they’re our bosses," explained Lt. Marc Yoon, of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 Detachment Bangor. 

"They have to know what we do and what our capabilities are; they also have to know exactly what we can offer them." The EOD booth was one of the more popular booths and was informative for not just civilians but the Navy as well. The booth primarily featured the robots used in initial contact when dealing with unknown objects. Patrons were allowed to operate the robots and see what they could do. EOD body armor and equipment was also laid out for everyone to pick up and even try on. "Not many people know what EOD does, even in the Navy," said Yoon.

 "This is a good opportunity for people to get hands-on with the equipment. They can see exactly what we do and ask us questions that they couldn’t otherwise get answered from their ships and bases. It’s good face-to-face time with the community." Marine Corps Security Force Company (MCSFCo), Bangor, showed their support by displaying a Lenco Bearcat, doing combat face painting and conducting "Baby Boot Camp." The Bearcat weighs approximately 17,250 pounds and is fully armored and bullet proof. Children were able to climb in and out of it and climb up top to enjoy the view of the mall from up high. "We are giving them a chance to get up on the turret and see what it’s like to be on post and get behind the big gun." Lance Cpl. Joshua Vincent, MCSFCo Bangor.

 "The parents are getting a chance to get some great pictures." Another popular booth featured the military working dogs. One of the canines in attendance was an 11-year-old beagle named Moses." Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (FMF) Mary Collins, military working dog handler, said though the public was not allowed to pet the dogs on duty, they really enjoyed seeing them. "I think it is important to give the public knowledge and give more of an understanding of the military," said Collins. "Maybe we can change the public perception and show them we have some really great programs out there." 

For more news from Navy Region Northwest, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/cnrnw. ### ITEM 3 ### NNS070403-16. Navy SEAL Accelerator Tour Hits Virginia Beach

 By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mandy McLaurin, 

Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) --

 The Navy SEAL Accelerator tour visited the Virginia Beach Convention Center March 28-31 to promote Navy Special Warfare/Special Operations (NSW/NSO) ratings to high school wrestlers from across the nation. The SEAL Accelerator Tour is a promotional tool used by Commander, Navy Recruiting Command in conjunction with the advertising company Campbell Ewald. The tour visited the three-day National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) Wrestling Championships with active duty representatives from NSW/NSO commands including Navy Sea, Land, Air (SEAL), Navy divers, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and special warfare combatant-craft crewman (SWCC). 

Sailors talked to high school students about opportunities available within these communities. The accelerator also included a trailer containing information and recruiters were standing by to answer any questions visitors may have. "By having the Navy SEAL Accelerator here, we are looking to find qualified young men and women to enlist in the Navy, possibly in the SpecOps ratings," said Steelworker 2nd Class (SCW) Michael Freeman, a Navy recruiter from Navy Recruiting District Richmond, Va. "Who else is better qualified than wrestlers? They are in great shape." 

During the wrestling championship, students and guests viewed the Navy SEAL Accelerator display, talked to the representatives and some even took part in the SEAL challenge, the physical fitness test SEAL applicants must pass before being considered. To become a Navy SEAL, or any other NSW/NSO rating, individuals must pass a strenuous physical endurance test consisting of pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, running and swimming. The SEAL Accelerator had a chart of minimum and competitive scores for pull-ups, sit-ups and push-ups so people could rate their own performance against SEAL standards. John Lewis Jones, a wrestler from Oak Hill High School in West Virginia, checked out the SEAL Accelerator. "I’ve been thinking about what to do after high school. Wrestling might be over for me and this will keep me in shape and part of a team," said Jones. "I did this [SEAL challenge] because I wanted to see what the training was like."

 NSW/NSO personnel showed visitors how to do each part of the physical fitness test correctly and told each individual what they were looking for in a good candidate. "We’re promoting Naval Special Warfare and Special Operations for the Navy because, right now, all special warfare areas are undermanned and we’re out here looking for top athletes to be tomorrow’s athlete warrior," said an active duty NSO representative.

 For more information about the Navy SEAL accelerator visit www.navy.com or contact your local recruiter. For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil. -USN- 

### ITEM 4 ### 

NNS070406-10. Eight Mobile Unit 3 Sailors Receive Bronze Star Medals 

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Shannon K. Cassidy, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific 

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Eight explosive ordnance and disposal technicians (EOD), making up Detachment 59 from Mobile Unit (MU) 3, received bronze star medals at a ceremony at Naval Amphibious Base on April 3. 

Assigned to Convoy Support Center Scania, in Multi-National Division Baghdad (MND-B) were Senior Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician Joshua E. Dowden, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Christopher Gardiner, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Travis Schellpeper and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Richard Cote. 

Lt. Andrew J. Pajak, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Donald Walkey, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 1st Class Christopher Romero and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 2nd Class Derek Brundage were assigned to Camp Echo in Multi-National Division Center South (MND-CS). 

The Sailors conducted training in improvised explosive device (IED) and EOD response along main supply routes (MSR) and auxiliary supply routes 
(ASR) as well as mentoring and partnering with the 8th Iraqi Division Army Bomb Disposal Company. 

Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, commander of Multi-National Corps Iraq, awarded the Sailors the medals for their exceptional, meritorious service and achievements as well as their contributions and dedication to duty. 

Detachment 59 was divided into two division boundaries in groups of four that worked under the operational control of the U.S. Army, 3rd and 79th Ordnance Battalions. The teams participated in a total of 99 missions in addition to mentoring, training, and equipping the 8th Division Iraqi Army Bomb Disposal Company to help ensure the future success of Iraq and its military. 

The teams operated in multiple counter-IED missions in the MND-B and MND-CS areas of responsibility (AOR) to protect coalition and Iraqi forces as well as develop tactics and techniques to combat insurgents in Iraq. 

While in Iraq, Detachment 59 conducted large-scale unexploded ordnance disposal operations to prevent the manufacturing of IEDs as well as the disposal of unexploded ordnance following in-direct fire (IDF) attacks upon coalition bases. 

They provided intelligence assessments to base commanders to prevent further IDF attacks and all completed successfully, which led to an overwhelming success during Operation Iraqi Freedom in June through December 2006. 

The four-man elements' main mission was IED and EOD response along the main supply route as well as various other MSRs and ASRs. 

By rendering safe IEDs along the routes, they helped to ensure the safety of coalition convoys and personnel traveling to and from various coalition bases in Iraq. 

"I feel that these medals are well deserved and serve as a great credit to the guys who were there," said Dowden. "This is a significant accomplishment by all of us." 

"We were always together as a team," said Romero. "The way we responded in our AOR directly saved the lives of troops, both U.S. and Iraqi, as well as civilians. That's the best reward, knowing that we had a direct impact on their safety." 

Despite being faced with challenges on a daily basis, the team kept moving forward as a team. 

According to Pajak, early in the deployment, a rocket struck one of the command posts destroying equipment much-needed for these operations. The rocket was launched by insurgents and was part of a complex IDF attack against Camp Echo aimed at killing Iraqi day laborers, U.S. and coalition troops, as well as civilian contractors. The rocket was one of nine rockets to hit the base during the attack, and yet, no one was injured as a result. 

"This is the most impressive team I've ever been a part of," said Pajak. "To an outsider, we are a text-book example of team work, and I've never been more proud to serve with an unbelievable group of people." 

For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil. 
-USN- 

This message was sent from Pat Thomas to navybob@uswest.net. 

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