WARRIOR BASE, Paju, South Korea - South Korea-based U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams competed July 12 - 16 here near the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
Staff Sgt. Brandon Santiago and Pfc. Mathew Milson won the competition. In second place was Staff Sgt. Nicholas Hands and Cpl. Houston Stoewer. Third place went to Staff Sgt. John Marcotte, Spc. Zackery Swindlehurst and Pfc. James Dipane.
Hosted by the 718th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), six teams and eight team members completed the week-long competition.
The contest was the culmination of six months of arduous training.
During challenging training scenarios, the teams verified their proficiency and were successful in the competition in spite of the stifling summer heat and humidity.
"It has been a long week," said Cpl. Houston Stoewer. "I had a hard time against the weather this week. However, this competition made me motivated."
Capt. Scott A. Mignot, commander of the 718th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), said the competition gave both his seasoned EOD technicians and newer team members a chance to hone their skills.
Aca,!A"I can see improvements in the young members,Aca,!A? said Mignot, adding that his newer EOD Soldiers could rotate to Afghanistan or Iraq following their assignment here. Aca,!A"My goal is to prepare them."
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