Navy EOD Team to train in Farmville
Published 11:49 am Thursday, September 24, 2015
A U.S. Navy Explosives Ordinance Disposal Team will be conducting an Inland Waterways Training operation in the Appomattox River Sept. 28-Oct. 2. The obstructions block navigation and contribute to severe erosion of the riverbanks.
The team will work at sites near Prospect to just upstream of the Buffalo Creek confluence. The sound of explosives might be heard in Farmville. These military professionals are part of the same team that is called to diffuse IEDs in foreign territory, bombs found in airports or old artillery found in historic battlefields.
The Friends of the Appomattox River has organized the annual training mission since 1998. Many restaurants in this area make this training mission possible by sponsoring meals. Wednesday night is a community event at Charley’s, and all are invited to meet these professionals at 7 p.m. Many other restaurants are sponsoring meals throughout the week. Special appreciation is extended to the Town of Farmville, those individuals who are providing lodging for the team, and to Longwood University and the Southside Virginia Family YMCA for providing facilities to the team during their stay in Farmville.
The results of the past years’ training mission are profound in terms of river health and are meaningful to professional development in the EOD team. For more information about the Friends of the Appomattox River, visit www.far-va.org. Please join the Friends of the Appomattox River in welcoming the team to the area again in 2015.