Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 2 hosted an Expeditionary Warfare Specialist (EXW) Challenge aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

The EXW Challenge is the EODESU 2 version of a Captain's Cup. It not only helps build camaraderie amongst the departments but also tests the knowledge on the requirements to obtain an EXW pin.

Sailors competed in a range of events including flutter kicks with fins, an explosive ordnance disposal appreciation course, weapons familiarization and first-aid knowledge.

"When working in the EODESU 2 Admin Department, you don't really see what other departments do on a daily basis," said Yeoman 2nd Class Paige Rockwell, assigned to EODESU 2. "This challenge gives us a better understanding and appreciation for the other departments while testing our knowledge and helping us learn more information for our pins."

The EXW pin, created in 2006, is a chance for Sailors serving in an expeditionary combat command to earn a warfare qualification and enhance their knowledge and capabilities across a vast warfare area, covering topics ranging from weapons, land navigation and first-aid to administration and logistics.

"The EXW Challenge presented a great opportunity for Sailors to learn professional knowledge in various expeditionary warfare areas as well as gain an appreciation for the demanding work performed by their ESU teammates serving in other departments," said Cmdr. R.S. Mazzarella, commanding officer of EODESU 2.

EXW-qualified Sailors have an understanding of the processes and topics necessary to support warfighting requirements for the Navy. The personnel warfare qualification standard focuses on mission effectiveness, combat readiness and survivability as well as an understanding of how each Sailor's unit's mission fits into and supports naval doctrine and its objectives.

For 10 years, the Sailors of EODESU 2 have been providing expeditionary logistics, communications, civil engineer support equipment, small boats, table of allowance, and dive support to all diving and explosive ordnance disposal forces under Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2.

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