The U.S. Navy Explosives Ordinance Disposal Team will continue its Inland Waterways Training Operation in the Appomattox River near Farmville through Friday.

The training, remov- ing obstructions from the river channel, began Monday, according to a release from Friends of the Appomattox River.

“The obstructions block navigation and contribute to severe erosion of the river banks,” officials said in the release. “Reducing erosion of the river- banks will decrease
the amount of sediment entering the river, improving the aquatic health of the Appomattox River and ultimately the health of the Chesapeake Bay.”

The friends group said the training is valuable to the team “in preparation for responding to community needs during times of disaster and for honing their skills in explosives placement. The possible locations of this year’s training evolution range from sites near Prospect to just upstream of the Buffalo Creek confluence. The sound of explosives being dis- charged might be heard in the Farmville area, and could be mistaken for thunder.”

Those working in the river are part of the same team called in to defuse IEDs in foreign territories, bombs found in airports or old artillery found in

historic battlefields, as well as recovery mis- sions requiring diving expertise, officials said in the release.

The Friends of the Appomattox River has organized the coordina- tion of the annual train- ing mission since 1998.

Friends is hosting a community meet and greet at Charleys Waterfront Café at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, allowing the community to meet the professionals and recognize their talents and military service.

“The results of the past years training mission are profound in terms of river health and are meaningful to professional development in the … team,” officials said in the release.