Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 participated in Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) Integrated Exercise (NIEX) 19-2 with EOD Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11, EODMU 12 and Navy Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, Jan. 22-Feb. 1.

The exercise, led by Expeditionary Warfighting Development Center (EXWDC), aims to simulate real-world mission planning and events, many of which are based on events deployed U.S. forces have seen over the past decade.

“Our objective here is to assess, train and mentor,” said Matt Dumenigo, senior military analyst for exercises and the lead assessor for NIEX 19-2. “This is an assessment event, and we strive to test the units so they can gain proficiency in the ability to command and control forces in an expeditionary environment, specifically, as an adaptive force package (AFP).”

The exercise put the EODGRU 2 command and control (C2) capabilities to the test as commander, Task Group 956.3, leading U.S. forces while a partner host nation faces increasing hostility and aggression from a neighboring power and non-state actors.

To more precisely mimic the environments Sailors could see while deployed, all units supporting the exercise were working from different physical locations. EODGRU 2 and EODMU 12 stood up at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek and Camp Pendleton State Military Reservation in Virginia Beach, Virginia. EODMU 11 joined the exercise from San Diego, and NMCB 4 operated from Port Hueneme, California. Several other units were replicated for the exercise and provided subject matter experts to serve as liaisons.

The scenarios focused on counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED), diving and salvage, harbor security and clearance, airfield damage repair and facilities construction. Intelligence, logistics and communications were critical during every step of the planning process.

“Through a fast-paced exercise schedule, CTG 956.3’s operational planning team (OPT) developed a greater appreciation for the other NECC entities and their expansive capabilities,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jack Damon, EODGRU 2’s OPT leader. “We were able to work together to answer the Navy’s most challenging expeditionary needs. The opportunity to flex our C2 capabilities is crucial for us to succeed in future operations.”

NIEX is an advanced phase training exercise that focuses on C2 of a Navy Expeditionary Combat Task Force (NECTF) and supporting units in an operational environment. The exercise provides a setting for assigned NECC units to be assessed in the planning and execution of tasks in an AFP, similar to what can be expected during deployed operations.

EODGRU 2, headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS), oversees all East Coast-based Navy EOD mobile units, including one forward-deployed mobile unit in Spain, as well as EOD Expeditionary Support Unit 2, EOD Training and Evaluation Unit 2, and the only East Coast-based mobile diving and salvage unit, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2.

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