Sentinel Samurai Strengthens Joint EOD Readiness
by U.S. Air Force SrA Mason Hargrove
September 3, 2026

Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy explosive ordnance disposal technicians participated in Exercise Sentinel Samurai at Kadena Air Base, Japan, August 17-21, 2026. The annual exercise allowed service members to exchange expertise and improve their ability to respond together on shared threats.

Throughout the exercise, joint EOD teams used drones, operated in trench systems and searched deep caves for simulated explosives ... while contending with heavy rain and difficult terrain. Sharing their experience and adapting their methods strengthened the trust and common procedures needed to clear hazards, recover from attacks and keep forces operating throughout the Pacific region.

Participants included airmen assigned to the 18th, 35th and 51st Civil Engineer Squadrons; Marines assigned to Marine Wing Support Squadrons 171 and 172 and the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, EOD team; and sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3 and 5.

"Explosive hazards don't recognize service branches; they threaten us all," said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Michael Vallejo, U.S. Pacific Air Forces EOD chief. "Because EOD is a low-density, high-demand capability, Sentinel Samurai allows us to understand each service's capabilities and share different approaches to complex problems."

All military EOD technicians receive their foundational training through the same joint school, but each branch applies those skills differently. Sentinel Samurai brings those experiences together through shared scenarios.

"An exceptional EOD technician is a versatile, well-rounded operator who can solve complex problems in any environment, under stressful conditions and with minimal equipment," Vallejo said. "They also know how to leverage every resource available to accomplish the mission."

For many participants, the terrain in Japan presented an unfamiliar operating environment. Training away from their home stations forced technicians to adapt their tactics and procedures as they would during a real-world response.

During one scenario, technicians used a rope and a truck to recover a simulated explosive device from the bottom of a steep hill. When the rope snapped, the team had to reassess and rig the device differently before continuing.

"Everyone knows the robots and the suits, but sometimes the solution isn't so high tech," said Air Force Master Sgt. Eric Posey, EOD scenario operator. "We work with ropes a lot. The main thing we're testing in this exercise is patience."

Building relationships before a crisis allows EOD teams to integrate faster, sustain combat power and deny adversaries the ability to disrupt joint operations, strengthening deterrence across the region.

"Whether the hazard is on an airfield, at a port, in the jungle or along a roadway, EOD clears the way for forces to reach their objectives," Vallejo said. "That freedom to maneuver is critical for conducting the mission in the Pacific."

Department of War Education Activity Americas (DoWEA) | U.S. Department of War

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