CNO of Columbia visits Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal

  • Published
  • By Donna Randazzo
  • Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Colombian Navy Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Alvaro Echandia, visited the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal here.

Navy Capt. Joseph Polanin, commanding officer of NAVSCOLEOD, greeted Echandia, his staff and his wife as they arrived, presenting the Admiral's wife with an orchid, the Colombian national flower and tropical mix bouquet. The Command Group spouses escorted Mrs. Echandia on a familiarization tour of the Emerald Coast while Echandia and his staff toured the NAVSCOLEOD training facilities.

NAVSCOLEOD provided the Admiral with an unclassified brief, training facility tours, and practical exercise demonstrations through the different training divisions. The Demolition Division provided the Admiral an opportunity to detonate a nonelectric explosive charge. The group, led by Chief Petty Officer Ryan Anderson, NCOIC of the Demo Division, provided a detailed brief relevant to demolition materials, safety, and High Risk explosive training.

The group then proceeded on a windshield tour of the Tools and Methods Division, Core, and Bio/Chem training areas. Polanin provided key insight to the various training demands associated with NAVSCOLEOD's training of students from all four services, State Department agencies, and partner nations from 97 different countries.
The IED Division provided an unclassified threat analysis brief. Sergeant First Class Luis Forero, an U.S. Army IED Instructor and native of Bogota, Colombia, guided the Admiral through the IED area and allowed him to fire an explosive actuated tool at a simulated training device.

The Air Division allowed the Admiral to view training from a different perspective. Senior Chief Petty Officer Edward Blanton, NCOIC of Air Division, briefed The Admiral as students from all four services demonstrated their skills in the Air Ordnance practical training area. The realistic training value brought on by the dozen aircraft in the practical training area impressed the Admiral.

At the conclusion of the tour Polanin escorted the Admiral to the Quarterdeck where he presented him with a brass plaque "explosively engraved" by the explosive charges that he detonated earlier that day.

"The staff at NSEOD are all very professional and proud of what they do in their jobs," Echandia said. "I appreciate the opportunity to meet and view what the U.S. military is doing in the effort to defend against the advanced IED threat world-wide."