About this Unit
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit ONE (EODMU-1) is a United States Navy unit specializing in the detection, identification, rendering safe, and disposal of explosive threats, both on land and at sea. The unit has a proud legacy dating back to World War II, continually adapting to new threats, including improvised explosive devices and underwater mines. EODMU-1 frequently deploys with naval vessels such as USS Gridley (DDG-101), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer commissioned in 2007, to provide critical ordnance disposal support during operations and exercises worldwide. Their collaboration ensures the safety of the fleet and enhances the U.S. Navy's capability to project power and maintain freedom of navigation.
Historical Facts
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Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit One (EODMU-1) Heritage: EODMU-1 traces its roots back to World War II, when the U.S. Navy established specialized units to handle unexploded bombs, mines, and torpedoes threatening ships and harbors.
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West Coast Pioneers: EODMU-1 is based in San Diego, California, and has long been the primary EOD unit serving the U.S. Pacific Fleet, supporting ship deployments, intelligence missions, and anti-terrorism operations.
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Combat Deployments: EODMU-1 personnel have served in every major conflict since WWII, including Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan, often working under dangerous conditions to clear roadside bombs (IEDs) and mines.
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Underwater Missions: EODMU-1 specializes in underwater ordnance disposal, using divers and advanced robotics to neutralize sea mines and underwater explosives, ensuring the safety of naval and commercial shipping.
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USS Gridley (DDG-101) Namesake: The USS Gridley is named after Captain Charles Vernon Gridley, who commanded the USS Olympia during the Battle of Manila Bay in the Spanish-American War. Admiral Dewey famously ordered, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley."
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Arleigh Burke-class Destroyer: Commissioned in 2007, USS Gridley (DDG-101) is part of the advanced Arleigh Burke-class, equipped with the Aegis Combat System, Tomahawk missiles, and state-of-the-art radar and sonar.
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Joint Operations: EODMU-1 frequently embarks on destroyers like USS Gridley during deployments, providing expert bomb disposal and counter-IED support for maritime security operations.
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Humanitarian Missions: Both EODMU-1 and USS Gridley have participated in humanitarian operations, such as disaster relief in the Pacific and removing unexploded ordnance in former war zones to protect civilians.
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Advanced Training: EODMU-1 sailors endure some of the military’s most rigorous training, including dive school, parachute operations, and handling chemical, biological, and nuclear threats.
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Decorations and Awards: USS Gridley has earned multiple Navy “Battle E” Excellence Awards for outstanding performance, while EODMU-1 members have received numerous valor medals for acts of heroism in combat zones.
