753rd Ordnance Company (EOD)
| Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Awarded by United States Armed Forces | |
| Type | Badge |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 1950s |
| Last awarded | On going |
| Army Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Special Operations Diver Badge |
| Next (lower) | Pathfinder Badge[1] |
Introduction
The 753rd Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG), was activated in 2004 and is based at Camp Dawson near Kingwood, WV.
Mission
The Army EOD mission is to support national security strategy by providing the capability to neutralize hazards from conventional UXO, NBC and associated materials, and IED (both explosive and NBC), that present a threat to operations, installations, personnel, and/or material. Army EOD forces also may dispose of hazardous foreign or US ammunition, UXO, individual mines, booby-trapped mines, and chemical mines. Routine clearing and rapid breaching of foreign or US minefields is the responsibility of the Army engineers. EOD provides the Army with a rapidly deployable support package for the elimination of hazards from UXO in any operational environment. The EOD force serves as a combat multiplier by neutralizing UXO that is restricting freedom of movement and denying access to supplies, facilities, and other critical assets. Army EOD forces equip, train, and organize to support tactical land forces across the spectrum of operations, to include peacekeeping, military operations other than war (MOOTW),and MTW.[2]
History
The 753rd has deployed to Kosovo for three rotations and unit members have individually augmented other EOD units serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Tunisia, and other countries in the CENTCOM area.
- Kosovo (KFOR-8) 2006-2007
- Kosovo (KFOR-11) 2008-2009
- Kosovo (KFOR-12) 2009-2010
- Kuwait (OEF) 2013
Organizational Hierarchy
Unlike active component units, Army National Guard EOD companies have a concurrent hierarchy for both peacetime and wartime. Additionally the company can be placed under any type of command's operational control when deployed. The peacetime hierarchy ensures that the unit receives sufficient support to maintain operational readiness. It also structures a chain of command for when the company is activated in support of state emergencies. The WARTRACE Program hierarchy enables oversight of EOD specific standards and operations and allows commanders to form cohesive relationships with their wartime chain of command.
Peacetime Hierarchy
- 771st Troop Command Battalion, West Virginia Army National Guard
- 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia Army National Guard
- Land Component command, West Virginia Army National Guard
WARTRACE
- 501st Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), New York Army National Guard
- 111th Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Alabama Army National Guard
- 20th Support Command (CBRNE), United States Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
External links
- Army.mil – United States Army Official Website
- GoArmy.com – Official Recruiting Site
- 5th AR Tests WV GFuard Unit's EOD Skills - Military Deployment Training History
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Stateside Missions - Article from Army Sustainment