Army Chief of Staff tours Army Watercraft; views EOD and Dive capabilites

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - GEN. Mark A, Milley, the 39th U.S. Army Chief of Staff, wrapped up his visit of the Asia-Pacific region by touring the U.S. Army Vessel Lt. Gen. William B. Bunker (Logistic Support Vessel - 4) and viewed capabilities from the 7th Engineer Dive Detachment, 84th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade and 303D Ordnance Battalion (EOD), 8th Military Police Brigade August 23 here.

The 8th Theater Sustainment Command Soldiers discussed their respective fields with Milley and provided a hands-on equipment demonstration.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Clinton Smith, the Skipper of LSV-4, escorted Milley through a tour of the Army Vessel.

"We're underway about 210 days a year," said Smith "About 80 percent of that involves transporting equipment and supplies to the 'Big Island' for training exercises that enable combat readiness for Pacific units."

Smith went on to say that Army Watercraft are a heavily used resource in moving personnel, equipment and supplies where they are needed, when they are needed, throughout the region, to include supporting Pacific Pathways.

Milley traveled the passageways of the vessel, visiting where the crew members live and handle every aspect of the ship's operation -- from engine maintenance and safety to food service and medical needs.

From LSV - 4, Milley met with members of the 7th Engineer Dive Detachment, the only Army divers in the Pacific, where they provided the CSA with a hands-on briefing of their gear and the under-water engineer equipment that they use to perform underwater reconnaissance, demolition and salvage operations across the Pacific theater for Joint Interagency Intergovernmental Multinational (JIIM) operations.

"Anything the engineers can do on top of the water, we can do the same operations underwater," said Spc Lamar Fidel.

Beside the divers, the Soldiers from the 303D Ordnance Battalion showcased some of their capabilities; an EOD9 bomb suit, compact metal detectors, counter radio electronic warfare systems, and chemical and radiation detection devices.

The 303D battalion lineage goes back to World War II, is one of eight explosive ordnance disposal battalions Army-wide, and the only one outside the continental United States.

"It was a great opportunity to meet GEN Milley and explain how our mission in the Pacific is critical to supporting other services and other countries if called upon," said Spc. Robert Miller, 303D Ordnance Battalion.

"The Army is a critical part of maintaining stability in the region and these Soldiers are doing a great job throughout the entire Pacific region," Milley told the group of Soldiers and leaders before leaving.

Milley went on to say that capabilities like Army watercraft, Divers, and EOD enhances the Army's expeditionary capabilities and like the Soldiers here, it is a great asset providing tremendous flexibility and endurance for operations in the Pacific.