Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 held a change of command ceremony aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Aug. 4.

Capt. Josh Jackson relieved Capt. John Moulton as commander of EODGRU 2.

Rear Adm. Brian Brakke, commander of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and NECC Pacific, served as guest speaker and offered words of praise for Moulton's accomplishments while leading EODGRU 2.

"We saw gains in readiness with Capt. Moulton's work in standing up an organic mine countermeasure capability," Brakke said. "On his watch, the first military unit deployed in support of mine countermeasure missions. Prior to that inaugural deployment, that capability was provided by contractors. Capt. Moulton smoothly and seamlessly transitioned the capability to military members and ensured the first deploying unit was just as prepared as their more experienced contractor counterparts, eliminating the possibility of any capability gap in theater. His insight, combat experience and tenacity no doubt played a key role in establishing a command that was able to deliver a tremendous amount of warfighting capability."

During Moulton's command, 39 EOD platoons, 10 shore detachments and five mobile diving and salvage companies were ready at all times to provide a critical warfighting capability to operational commanders worldwide. Moulton was also responsible for the tactical and operational control of an expeditionary force comprised of one thousand members during two Bold Alligator exercises. These efforts ensured the exercise showcased the critical role of Navy expeditionary combat forces in combined amphibious task force operations.

"I'm humbled to have been entrusted with this group and grateful to have served with you for the past 26 months," Moulton said. "Being your commodore has been a privilege and a deep honor that will stay with me forever."

Upon being awarded the Legion of Merit, Moulton read his orders and officially turned over command to Jackson.

Jackson thanked Moulton and then addressed the Sailors of EODGRU 2 for the first time.

"It is with great humility that I read my orders today and return home to where my EOD career started over 19 years ago," Jackson said. "EODGRU 2 has had Sailors at the tip of the spear conducting combat support for over 15 years. You continue to embody the core attributes of integrity, accountability, initiative and toughness, while supporting combat operations in multiple theaters."

Jackson continued, "I look forward to working with each of you to ensure the hard-earned lessons learned of the last decade and a half in combat remain at the forefront of our minds as we look to employ transformational initiatives, such as expeditionary mine countermeasures, and to develop innovative methods to increase our combat effectiveness in support of distributed maritime operations and the fleet design."

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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