US ordnance team disarms more than just weapons with African partners

Back to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

VICENZA, Italy - A soldier gently places his finger against a detonation switch. As quick as a lightning strike, a spark speeds down the firing wire. Less than a second later, an explosion ripples through the air, leaving behind only smoke and fragments where moments earlier lay the threat of an unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Disarmament Week, which runs from Oct. 24 - 30, is an annual event marking the anniversary of the United Nations' founding. U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) fully supports this mission, disarming more than just hazardous devices. Engaging throughout Africa, as well as accompanying partners to U.S.-based exchanges, SETAF-AF equips its partners with skills and resources to manage and eliminate remnants of war, like landmines and other UXOs.

"The humanitarian aspect of our work is often overlooked," said U.S. Army Maj. Ian Bloomsburg, counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) deputy director, SETAF-AF C-IED fusion cell. "Stronger explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) skills are one thing, but getting rid of UXOs and ensuring the safety of a partner country's civilian population is another."

A critical aspect of SETAF-AF EOD's work involves training partner forces in physical security stockpile management, helping to prevent inadvertent explosions and catastrophic incidents at ammunition storage sites. This mission includes instruction on best practices and adherence to UN standards for supply and explosive storage.

"We've got a stockpile management exchange coming up soon in Cabo Verde," said Bloomsburg. "We're going to assist them in getting rid of thousands of pounds of ordnance such as landmines."

Next January and February, the team's training objective is to advise the Cabo Verdean Armed Forces [Forças Armadas de Cabo Verde] (FACV) EOD technicians in proper storage and demolition procedures, both areas in which the nation requested assistance.

"Multiple concerns were noted during previous FACV engagements," said Bloomsburg. "Based on these observations, we'll conduct a stockpile destruction course and provide some hands-on experience with demolition."

The team expressed excitement for the upcoming Cabo Verde engagement, their first to be conducted in 2025. In 2024, they supported 26 multinational EOD missions across Africa.

SETAF-AF's EOD team also actively participates in multinational exercises like African Lion, held in Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, as well as exercise Justified Accord, hosted in Kenya.

"Building a good relationship means long-term benefits for everyone involved," said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Beau Martindale, humanitarian mine assistance (HMA) noncommissioned officer in charge, SETAF-AF. "We're constantly looking for those EOD champions who can carry the torch within their own ranks, within their own country's force."

Beyond technical skills, the team focuses on fostering bonds and building trust with partner nations, disarming any prior apprehensions.

To this end, SETAF-AF also facilitated the inclusion of Tunisian EOD partners in competitions such as Raven's Challenge at Camp Williams, Utah, and the 52nd Ordnance Group's EOD "Team of the Year" competition at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Engagements like these enable partners to gain valuable international experience, as well as the chance to share lessons learned with their teams back in Africa.

"For most of our African partners, the goal is to spend a sufficient amount of time with them, so they can do this work themselves," said Martindale. "For instance, in Zambia we've worked with engineers and other soldiers to build up their HMA EOD skill levels, establishing a foundation for their future EOD assets."

Enabling African partners to lead EOD operations independently reduces the region's reliance on external forces to manage and neutralize explosive threats. These engagements support U.S. Africa Command's stance of "partner-led, U.S.-enabled" training.

"The difference is not only the skill level, but the technologically advanced equipment we bring to the table," said Martindale. "Not to mention, we have more fun than anyone I know. Whatever your job is, you should consider joining EOD. It's better here."

To accomplish their EOD mission, SETAF-AF cannot do it alone.

They regularly interface with U.S. embassies, the NATO Center for C-IED Excellence and others. Additionally, the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives provides expertise to the team, supplying about 80 percent of the personnel for SETAF-AF EOD engagements in Africa.

As SETAF-AF's EOD team joins in marking UN's disarmament week, their work reflects not only a commitment to reducing the immediate dangers posed by explosives but also to building lasting peace and stability across the continent.

To learn more about joining the U.S. Army's EOD team, visit www.goarmysof.army.mil/EOD or email [email protected].

About SETAF-AF

SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis-response options in Africa and Europe.

Follow SETAF-AF on:

Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.