EOD team returns from Kosovo tour

By Staff Sgt. Kelly S Malone (Leonard Wood)July 16, 2015

EOD team returns from Kosovo tour
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (July 16, 2015) -- Their command team and Families honored 11 763rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company Soldiers at a welcome home gathering Monday on Fort Leonard Wood.

The company is attached to the 92nd Military Police Battalion, but is assigned to the 84th EOD Battalion based out of Fort Riley, Kansas.

The platoon recently returned from Kosovo where they spent nearly 10 months in support of ongoing U.S. Army Europe and NATO peace support operations.

"The Army is still in Kosovo; so there is an EOD platoon-sized element there the entire time," said 1st Sgt. James Wise, 763rd EOD first sergeant. "The mission is being handled by someone else right now, and we'll basically rotate a platoon in after the next team."

End-of-mission reports from platoon leader Capt. Zachary Abood stated the team completed 117 EOD missions resulting in more than 275 ordnance items destroyed.

A mentoring program for Kosovo EOD forces was a weekly focus, Abood wrote.

Sgt. Aimee Filbeck, EOD team sergeant for the 763rd, described how it felt to work with local EOD forces while deployed.

"For me, it was really awesome going to Kosovo," Filbeck said.

"It was really awesome how supportive they were of U.S. Forces. The forces there all wear U.S. flags hidden on their uniforms. It was nice to be somewhere knowing they wanted us there," she added.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Dean, platoon sergeant, said his Soldiers worked side-by-side along with other Soldiers from partner nations.

"It was great having the opportunity to work with international EOD partners," Dean said. "Additionally, Soldiers conducted good training on our tools and equipment."

The gathering wrapped up with the returning platoon leader saying a few words to those in attendance.

"It's good to be back; thank you for your support, getting us out of the door and bringing us back," said Abood. "Our guys appreciate it, and we're happy to be home."

Related Links:

Fort Leonard Wood FLICKR

Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON newspaper

Fort Leonard Wood website