Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 8 began mine countermeasure operations as part of Exercise Open Spirit 2015, May 18.

Conducted annually, Open Spirit brings together explosive ordnance personnel and mine countermeasure units from Europe and North America to conduct real-world operations to detect and neutralize historical ordnance from World Wars I and II.

Quick Facts:
* In addition to neutralizing historic ordnance, the operation also serves to promote interoperability between the U.S., NATO and Partnership for Peace explosive ordnance mine countermeasure forces.
* Mine countermeasure units will patrol areas in Estonia's territorial and adjacent waters, conducting explosive disposal operations as mines are detected.
* Open Spirit is conducted between NATO and Partnership for Peace countries, with command of operations rotating amongst Baltic countries. The last time Open Spirit took place in Estonia was 2012.
* EODMU 8 and will join other EOD platoons from participating nations to search and potentially neutralize mines in Lunaranna Harbor, located on Estonia's island of Muhu.
* EODMU 8 is forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, and serves as the EOD element of Commander, Naval Expeditionary Task Force Europe and Africa (CTF 68).
* Open Spirit participating nations include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Lithuania, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Sweden, U.K. and U.S.
* U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint, and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/.