Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 conducted a mobilization exercise (MOBEX) and tactical operations center exercise (TOCEX) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS), June 11-22.

The exercises were designed to test EODGRU 2's ability to quickly respond to short-notice tasking. This exercise focused on providing support after a hurricane.

"In the event of a disaster response, EODGRU 2 will be the command and control element for a NECC (Navy Expeditionary Combat Command) adaptive force package," said Lt. Jehu Humphries, EODGRU 2 training officer. "These exercises are one stage in the plan to prepare the staff and logistics, to find any vulnerabilities in our infrastructure, and to address them for any potential real world responses."

The first step of the exercises is the TOCEX, which sets the stage for the scenario and develops a picture of where a very powerful hurricane is forming in the Atlantic Ocean and is poised to hit and do significant damage to the East Coast of the United States.

"During the TOCEX, we not only develop the scenario, but we start planning for mobilization," Humphries said. "In preparation for the MOBEX, we look at areas that may be affected by the disaster and plan the logistics and personnel we will need to execute the mission."

The MOBEX portion of the exercise is in the field, setting up tents and communications equipment in a real world situation.

"The integration of EODGRU 2 staff and combat services support division from EOD Expeditionary Support Unit 2 is integral to the success of this exercise and real-world operations," Humphries said. "The capability of the entire team is needed to develop command and control of the NECC response force."

With the equipment and personnel in place, the training department drove scenarios to test the capabilities of the watchstanders and train them for what they may see in an actual response to a disaster.

"In this situation, the importance of good communication can not be overstressed," said Senior Chief Navy Diver Jeff Corrie, a battle watch officer during the MOBEX. "There is an incredible amount of information coming into the TOC at once, and without effective communication, there are going to be important details left out and the results could be disastrous."

Although this was the first exercise of the 2018 hurricane season for EODGRU 2, the Sailors are not strangers to disaster response. In September 2017, the staff mobilized on short notice for disaster response in the Florida Keys following Hurricane Irma. EODGRU 2 served as the maritime command element under Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, leading Sailors ashore with Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

"Because a lot of the staff has responded to a real-world disaster, we can create training based on lessons learned," said Lt. Chris Johnson, EODGRU 2 plans, doctrine and exercises department head. "The most important thing we were able to do is get on the ground quickly and get to work almost immediately."

EODGRU 2, headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia, oversees all East Coast-based Navy EOD mobile units, including one forward deployed mobile unit in Spain, as well as EOD Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 2, EOD Training and Evaluation Unit (EODTEU) 2, and Mobile Diving & Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2, visit www.navy.mil/.