Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 2 held a change of command ceremony on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, July 24.

Cmdr. Robert Mazzarella, of Brightwaters, New York, relieved Cmdr. Richard Wilhelm, of Cocoa Beach, Florida, as commanding officer of EODESU 2.

Capt. John Moulton, commander, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 presided over the ceremony and served as the guest speaker.

"This is the largest and most diverse EOD command on the east coast," Moulton said. "178 Sailors from a diverse mix of ratings that make up ESU 2 are truly the ones who help make a difference and have supported the mobile units on training and deployments to Poland, Canada, Bahrain and Djibouti. To Cmdr. Wilhelm, I appreciate all you've done to take this unit and advance the mission, and I wish you the best of luck."

Molton presented Wilhelm the Meritorious Service Medal for leadership and outstanding meritorious achievement while serving as commanding officer. During his tenure, EODESU 2 supported overseas contingency operations across five combatant command areas of operations.

Wilhelm's exceptional leadership and extensive knowledge directly contributed to his command's outstanding scores on Maintenance and Material Management and Supply Management inspections, receipt of the 2015 Green and Blue 'H' awards for medical excellence and the 2015 and 2016 Retention Excellence Award.

Additionally, he recognized a critical capability gap in the ability to rapidly deploy and support Echelon IV and V commands in conducting defense support to civil authorities, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. He established three expeditionary support elements, ensuring commander, Task Force 86 objectives could be met.

"To Cmdr. Mazzarella, these are some challenging times in the world right now, but I know ESU 2 is ready for it," said Moulton. "You have a great team. Enjoy the privilege of command and lead well. Hooyah, ESU 2!"

Following his award presentation, Wilhelm thanked the Sailors of ESU 2 for their service during his time in command.

"In a relatively short amount of time, ESU 2 has become a powerhouse in the expeditionary community, providing unrivaled support for four EOD mobile units, EOD Training and Evaluation Unit 2 and Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2," Wilhelm said. "ESU 2 is comprised of a cadre of professionals that have proven to be the best and brightest in their career fields, a testament to the myriad of successes over the past 26 months. It's been an honor of a lifetime to be your commanding officer, and I was humbled each and every time I walked aboard the ESU 2 compound because I had the best job in the Navy."

As his final act as commanding officer of EODESU 2, Wilhelm meritoriously promoted four Sailors. Utilitiesman Constructionman Cindy Flores, Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Christopher Mclaughlin, Navy Diver 3rd Class Cameron Koscinski and Electronics Technician 2nd Class John O'Connor-Judy all received meritorious advancements to the next pay grade.

Following the surprise advancement, Wilhelm read his orders and officially turned over command to Mazzarella. After receiving his command ashore pin from his wife, Mazzarella thanked Wilhelm and addressed the Sailors of EODESU 2 for the first time as commanding officer.

"I am humbled by the opportunity to be the latest officer to assume command and aspire to build on the outstanding accomplishments of EODESU 2," Mazzarella said. "To the men and women of EODESU 2, I couldn't be more humbled or thrilled to be following in Cmdr. Wilhelm's footsteps today, continuing to press forward to bring combat logistics capability alongside each of you. It is a privilege to be your new commanding officer, and it's a duty that I will honorably and faithfully execute."

EODESU 2 provides logistical support for all East Coast EOD and diving salvage units including supply, ordnance, transportation, tactical communications support, field services, facility maintenance and programming, weapons inventory control and repair, boat and engine maintenance and dive locker and hazardous material handling.

U.S. Navy EOD counters explosive hazards in all environments by being able to locate, identify, render safe, recover, conduct field evaluation and dispose of all explosive ordnance, including mines, improvised explosive devices and chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

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