Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Steven S. Giordano visited Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 and Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek, Jan. 25.

The visit was part of a fleet engagement tour through the Hampton Roads area to provide senior leadership with a frontline assessment of Sailors on the deckplates.

"It was a phenomenal visit highlighted by talking to the EOD and MDSU Sailors and learning what they do and how they contribute to our naval force," said Giordano. "These Sailors operate down range supporting warfighting efforts. I wanted to make sure these Sailors understand that senior leadership has an appreciation for and recognizes the significant contributions of what we ask them to do."

After a meeting with the EODGRU 2 Chiefs Mess, Giordano received an EOD capabilities brief at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 12, observed an improvised explosive device training evolution by EOD technicians assigned to EODMU 2, and got a look at the MDSU 2 expeditionary mine countermeasure unmanned underwater systems program.

"Understanding the capabilities of the EOD force through speaking to the Sailors was the primary intent for his visit," said Command Master Chief Neil Wolfe, command master chief of EOD Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) 2. "The visit was very well received and MCPON came away with a greater understanding and respect for what the EOD/[Navy Expeditionary Combat Command] force brings to the fight."

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 EODESU 2, EOD Training and Evaluation Unit 2, and the only East Coast-based mobile diving and salvage unit, MDSU 2.

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