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U.S. MARINES, THAI MILITARY CONDUCT HUMANITARIAN MINE ACTION EOD TRAINING IN KINGDOM OF THAILAND

By 26 August, 2022No Comments

U.S., THAI MILITARY CONDUCT HUMANITARIAN

MINE ACTION EOD TRAINING IN KINGDOM OF

THAILAND

22 AUG 2022 | 1st Lt. Jonathan Coronel, 3rd Marine Logistics Group

RATCHABURI, THAILAND — U.S. Marines from 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine

Logistics Group recently concluded a successful cycle of Humanitarian Mine Action Level 3

Explosive Ordnance Disposal training with Royal Thai Military Thailand Mine Action Center

counterparts, in Ratchaburi and Prasat, Kingdom of Thailand, from July 11 to August 5, 2022.

HMA is an ongoing program between the U.S. and Kingdom of Thailand to provide training in order

to build partner capacity in safe disposal of existing landmines and explosive remnants of war. The

four-week course combines classroom instruction covering advanced EOD techniques, detailed

ordnance classes, and render-safe techniques, along with several range days for practical

application of the skills learned on live-ordnance.

Ultimately, during the course of the training the team from 3rd EOD company successfully trained 11

students, who are now better equipped to conduct HMA actions against the adverse effects of

landmines and unexploded ordnance on the civilian populace, and able to pass their newfound

knowledge on to future TMAC students.

For U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jeramie Pawloski, HMA Thailand Team Leader with 3rd EOD

Company, 9th ESB, the latest training cycle was a success for both the U.S. trainers and TMAC

students.


“The program design develops the capabilities of

TMAC, providing personnel with the technical

knowledge and skills required to work in the

minefields safely during demining operations.”

— Gunnery Sgt. Jeramie Pawloski, HMA Thailand Team Leader, 3rd EOD Company, 9th ESB


“The U.S. Marine instructors that execute these training missions learn just as much from our Thai

counterparts and develop professional and personal relationships that the U.S. Marine EOD

Technician can benefit from,” said Pawloski.

According to U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Daniel H. Cusinato, Marine Forces Pacific EOD officer and HMA

Program Manager for EOD forces, the ongoing success of the HMA EOD program is a perfect

encapsulation of the long-standing U.S. alliance with the Kingdom of Thailand.

“The opportunity to work with our Thai partners is always a valuable one, giving TMAC students

real-world experience, sharpening the training and knowledge of our own EOD trainers, and most

importantly, strengthening the bonds among Marines and Royal Thai Armed Forces service

members,” said Cusinato.

3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as III Marine

Expeditionary Force’s comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations

throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.