2.1. Conducts and supervises render safe operations. Responds to emergencies with equipment and technical data. Conducts long range and close in reconnaissance, identifies and accesses ordnance condition, and advises commanders on recommended safe withdrawal distances. Excavates and safes unexploded ordnance. Exploits unknown items for technical intelligence value. Uses monitoring and detecting equipment when ordnance may contain, or may be contaminated with, toxic or radioactive materials.

2.2. Disposes of unserviceable, excess, or dangerous ordnance. Transports demolition explosives and equipment to authorized disposal areas. Fabricates explosive demolition charges, and disposes of hazardous explosives according to environmental regulations and laws.

2.3. Neutralizes and disposes of improvised explosive devices. Uses x-ray equipment, robotics systems, and remotely initiated or controlled tools and techniques to interrogate and gain access to the device. Wears special protective bomb suit or armor.

2.4. Serves as a member of base emergency response team. Provides ability to detect, monitor, evaluate, and decontaminate explosive, radioactive, chemical, or biological ordnance hazards. Safes, removes, and disposes of ordnance from crashed aircraft or vehicles carrying explosives.

2.5. Restores airfield operations following enemy attack. Clears unexploded ordnance and hazards from airfields, forward operating locations, landing zones, and drop zones.

2.6. Clears explosive contaminated property. Surveys extent of explosive contamination on excess AF property, and on bombing and gunnery, research and development, and munitions test ranges. Prepares clearance plans and cost estimates for clearance operations. Establishes, operates, and maintains EOD explosive proficiency ranges.

2.7. Identifies requirements for and maintains tools, equipment, supplies, and technical data. Orders, inventories, stores, mobilizes, and maintains specialized tools, equipment, supplies, and EOD publications. Uses computers to support flight activities. Develops notional concepts, mission need statements, and operational requirements documents.

2.8. Plans EOD contingency operations. Develops operation plans, concepts of operation, and operating instructions on EOD employment. Develops explosive safety plans.

2.9. Supports special activities and taskings. Supports United States Secret Service, and other Federal agencies by providing protection to the President, Vice President, and other dignitaries. Deploys to support special operations and military operations other than war. Supports research and development testing of weapons, aircraft, and space systems. Supports specialized Joint Service task force operations. Provides EOD services to Federal, state, and local civil authorities. Instructs base and community members on ordnance recognition and protective measures for improvised explosive devices and conventional ordnance. Provides hazardous materials (HAZMAT) response capability for incidents involving explosive ordnance.

THE BOMB was copied from the design of the World War II Bomb Disposal Badge, the bomb represents the historic and major objective of the EOD attack, the unexploded bomb. The three fins represent the major areas of nuclear, conventional, and chemical/biological warfare.

THE LIGHTNING BOLTS symbolize the potential destructive power of the bomb and the courage and professionalism of EOD personnel in their endeavors to reduce hazards as well as to render explosive ordnance harmless.

Bomb disposal in the United States dates back to April of 1941. EOD developed as an outgrowth of the British experience with German ordnance. The British Royal Navy dismantled/recovered the first German magnetic mine on the mudflats at Shoeburyness in 1939. The United States was not yet at war, but we were actively preparing for that eventuality. Embassy personnel and military observers were reporting on the actions of warring nations and as these reports were evaluated by the War Department Intelligence Section, recommendations were made concerning actions that should be taken by the U.S. One area stood out. Delayed-explosion bombs were creating havoc in Europe, taking a heavy toll in lives and industry. It was expected that if the U.S. entered the war, we would experience bombing of our cities and industries. As a result, the need for a bomb disposal program in this country received immediate attention.

Click on this photo to see a great picture of British Bomb disposal during WWII. Picture courtesy of TSgt Bill Eaton.

It was decided that both military and civilian bomb disposal personnel would be trained by the Army. All responsibility for bomb disposal was placed under the W.S. Army Ordnance Department. The Office of Civilian Defense would be responsible for bomb reconnaissance and the disposal of incendiaries in the U.S. The location of the Bomb Disposal School was changed from Edgewood Arsenal to the Ordnance Training Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The newly promoted Colonel Kane was selected to be the school’s commandant.

The Air force began EOD training as soon as they became a separate branch of the armed forces in 1947. On 21 May 1951, the Air Force assumed explosive ordnance disposal responsibilities and assigned EOD operational duties within the Zone of Interior (ZI) to Headquarters Air Material Command (HQ AMC). Accordingly, the AMC activated its first explosive ordnance disposal squadron, effective 16 June 1952, when the 1^st Ordnance Squadron, Aviation, was redesignated as the 1^st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron, pursuant to authority contained in the HQ AMC General Order Number 29. Assignment was at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, with an authorized strength of 11 officers and 65 airmen. The 1^st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron was entitled to the history, battle honors, and any colors belonging to the 1^st Ordnance Squadron, Aviation, deactivated 1 October 1948.

On 24 November 1953, Headquarters, 1^st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, had eleven detachments in the United States which were responsible generally for EOD within an Air Force installation’s geographical area. These detachments performed emergency EOD work at the following locations:

1. Tinker AFB, OK6- Griffis AFB, NY
2. Norton AFB, CA 7 & 8- Eglin AFB, FL
3. Hill AFB, UT9- Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
4. McClellan AFB, CA 10- Robins AFB, GA
5. Olmsted AFB, PA 11- Kelly AFB, TX

1940, Training began for USA, USMC, USN at Melksham RAF Station, Wiltshire, England.

1941, School of Civilian Defense organized at Chemical Warfare School, Edgewood Arsenal, MD. Major Thomas J. Kane selected as Commandant.

1941, U.S. Naval Mine Disposal School established at Naval Gun Factory (NGF), Washington, DC. Eight volunteer graduates of Naval Mine Warfare School at Yorktown, VA transferred to NGF.

1941 (Aug), first class of S.S. Naval Mine Disposal School graduates.

1942, U.S. Army Bomb Disposal School organized at Ordnance Training Center, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD.

1942, Maj Kane, Commandant of Bomb Disposal School at Aberdeen, with 8 other officers and EM traveled to UK for training and familiarization.

1942, a UK bomb Disposal team brought a complete set of Bomb Disposal equipment to Aberdeen for demonstrations and training.

1942, first U.S. Army Bomb Disposal unit, the 231^st Ordnance Bomb Disposal Company, was organized and deployed.

1942, the pocket or sleeve insignias, red bomb on a black background, was approved for U.S. Army wear by all Bomb Disposal officers and those Bomb Disposal EM actually assigned to Bomb Disposal units.

1942, the distinctive badge for the Ordnance Bomb Disposal School was approved by the Army and authorized for wear by all Bomb Disposal Officers and Disposal EM assigned to the school (click on thumbnails below to see the approving orders and original badge).

1942 (Jan) U.S. Navy Bomb Disposal School formulated at American University Campus, Washington, DC.

1942, U.S. Bomb Disposal officers were assigned to the Pacific Theater. The 232^nd Ordnance bomb Disposal Company was the first U.S. Army Bomb disposal unit in the Pacific theater of Operations.

1942, British bomb disposal units accomplished bomb disposal operations in first European allied operation involving U.S. Army.

1942, Ensign Howard, USNR, was the first U.S. casualty in mine disposal. He attempted to safe a booby trapped German magnetic submarine-laid moored mine.

1943, Army Bomb Disposal Division set up in England for support of U.S. bomb disposal operation in Europe.

1943, LT Rodger, USA and TSgt Rap, (5^th ORD Bomb Disposal Squad) USA were the first Army Bomb Disposal Technicians to be killed (carrying out bomb disposal operations on Attu Island).

1943, a number of U.S. Army bomb disposal units experienced casualties while working on sea mines and other underwater ordnance for which they had received no training.

1943, U.S. Marine Corps began training at American University.

1945, U.S. Army Bomb Disposal Center at Aberdeen deactivated; training transferred to the Ordnance School, Aberdeen.

1946, U.S. Navy Mine and Bomb Disposal Schools combined at Bellevue Annex of Naval Gun Factory, then moved to Naval Powder Factory, Indian Head, MD on Jackson Road. Training course designated as Explosive Ordnance Disposal, giving birth to "EOD".

1947, U.S. Army Officer and Senior Enlisted started attending U.S. Navy EOD School. Junior Enlisted Army personnel continued training at Aberdeen, MD.

1947, U.S. Air Force became a separate service and began EOD training.

1947, Bureau of Naval Weapons designated the first Naval unit for the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation of EOD equipment at the USA naval Powder Factory. It was an integral part of the EOD School and later became the EOD Technology Center.

1949, All USA and USAR bomb disposal squads were redesignated as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squads.

1950, 98^th EOD Squad arrived in Korea, joined seven days later by the 19^th EOD Squad.

1951, U.S. Navy assigned Joint-service EOD responsibilities for basic training and research and development.

1953, Research and Development tasks were established as a separate organization, and redesignated the Naval Explosive Ordnance Technical Center. The training function was renamed the Naval School, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (NAVSCOLEOD).

1954, U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Center was established by General Order 181.

1955, U.S. Army EOD School at Aberdeen, MD officially closed. From this date on, all Joint Service EOD training has taken place at Indian Head, MD.

1956, Dept. of Army approved the design of the basic EOD badge, which became available for wear in 1957.

1958, NAVSCOLEOD moved to its present location on Strauss Ave. from the original site on Jackson Rd.

1960, Aberdeen Proving Ground Center (U.S. Army EOD Center) was moved to Picatinney Arsenal, Dover, NJ to be the focal point of munition development.

1962, Naval Explosive Ordnance Technical Center redesignated the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Facility (NAVEODFAC), and placed under direction of a Commanding Officer.

1965, EOD units arrive in Vietnam.

1969, Master EOD Badge approved for wear by qualified personnel.

1969, (14 Feb), an EOD Memorial Committee was formed and consisted of Senior Army, Navy, Marine, and Air Force officers of NAVSCOLEOD.

1969, First EOD Memorial Ball held at NAVSCOLEOD, Indian Head, MD.

1970, (12 June), the EOD Memorial was dedicated to the men and women who have died on active duty as a result of an EOD mission since the declaration of World War II.

1971, EOD Memorial Scholarship Fund established.

1971, DoD Directive assigned the Secretary of the Navy as Single Manager for EOD Technology and Training.

1972, Patricia E. Brown, daughter of 1Lt Gilbert L. Brown, USMC (deceased), was awarded the first EOD Memorial scholarship.

1972, Procedural guidelines were established for the DoD EOD Program Board.

1977, Deputy Managers for EOD technology and EOD Training established (concurrent duty, respectively, for CO, NAVEODFAC and CO, NAVSCOLEOD).

1980, NAVEODFAC redesignated the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Center (NAVEODTECHCEN).

1985, U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Center was renamed the EOD Office.

1985, (1 Oct) NAVSCOLEOD Detachment, Eglin AFB, FL established.

1986, (Oct) Construction began at NAVSCOLEOD Detachment Eglin.

1988, (24 June) NAVSCOLEOD Detachment, Eglin AFB officially opened.

1993, (Jul) NAVSCOLEOD command relocated to Eglin AFB; NAVSCOLEOD Indian Head designated as detachment.

1993, (Oct) NAVEODTECHCEN redesignated NAVEODTECHDIV, a division of the newly established Naval Ordnance Center.

A informative history of Air Force EOD's migration from the maintenance community into Civil Engineer can be found here http://www.afcesa.af.mil/AFCESA/Readiness/EOD/history/CEEOD4.html .