Members from Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group 1 joined more than 750 competitors to participate in the EOD Warrior Run at Liberty Station, May 28.

The 5th annual EOD Warrior Run, consisting of a five-kilometer run, a one-kilometer kids run and a bomb-suit relay is held each year on Memorial Day in remembrance of EOD professionals who have lost their lives while serving our country.

"The race began in 2013 as a way for the local EOD community to engage with the public, raise funds for the EOD Warrior Foundation and remember those who have given all in service to our country," said Len Gee, run coordinator and the West Coast EOD Warrior Foundation representative.

Before the race began, a moment of silence was observed to remember the 326 heroes that served the nation as EOD specialists and lost their lives while in the line of duty.

The EOD Warrior Foundation hosted the event. The Foundation, established in 1969, merged with the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation in March 2013 to form the EOD Warrior Foundation, which combines the missions and resources of these established organizations to increase the capacity to serve and support the joint service EOD community.

"This event is not only about honoring and remembering the fallen," said Gene Rathgeber, a retired EOD officer, "but also to celebrate their legacy,"

This event is a chance for the EOD community to gather with friends and family for friendly competition. In addition to the races, there was a bounce house for kids, a vendor area and EOD display from the U.S. Navy and local law enforcement.

"I ran the EOD Warrior Foundation 5K to show support for those EOD techs wounded or killed while serving our great nation," said Lt. Cmdr. Zach Scheetz, executive officer at EOD Mobile Unit 11. "Running the bomb-suit relay with the robots on display in the background brings extra attention to the equipment we use to conduct out mission and keep our men and women safe."

On May 5, the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal hosted the 49th annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal Memorial Ceremony on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The joint service EOD community gathers each year at the EOD Memorial next to the Kauffman EOD Training Complex to commemorate the EOD technicians who have lost their lives while serving our country.

EOD Group One mans, trains, equips, and sustains seven subordinate commands and their 35 EOD platoons and seven MDS companies in support of Northern, Pacific, Africa, Southern and Central Command. U.S. Navy EOD is the world's premier combat force for countering explosive hazards and conducting expeditionary diving and salvage.


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For more news from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1, visit www.navy.mil/.