EOD Help Recover American Remains in North Korea
By JO2 (SW) Christopher C. Fowler - USS John C. Stennis
USS JOHN C. STENNIS, at Sea - Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EOD MU) 11 Detachment 11 provided technical expertise in support of a Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) investigation and recovery operation, conducted September through mid October, searching for the more than 8,100 MIA Americans from the Korean War.
Deployed in the Western Pacific as part of Commander Carrier Strike Group Sevenon board USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), the Whidbey Island, Wash. based EOD MU11 Detachment 11 forward deployed with JPAC's 36th joint-recovery operation to recover human remains.
According to Lt. Steven Schwedhelm, EOD officer in charge, JPAC missions inside of North Korea are planned and coordinated with the Korean Peoples¹ Army.
"JPAC determines potential sites through archival research, personal interviews and on-site reconnaissance to survey terrain, in an attempt to connect a particular site with an MIA," said Schwedhelm."
Once a site is recommended for a recovery, it is assigned to an investigation and recovery team.
"We sent Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class (EOD) Jon Kristoffersen to serve as the explosive ordnance disposal expert," said Schwedhelm. "After a one-week orientation conducted in Hawaii, Kristoffersen deployed to North Korea, and spent about seven weeks with JPAC."
According to Schwedhelm, the JPAC/EOD Team excavated along Chosin Reservoir where the 1st Marine Division and 31st Regimental Combat Team of the 7th Infantry Division fought Communist Chinese forces Nov. 27, 1950 in what is now known as the Chosin Reservoir Battle,
"My job was to search for potentially hazardous UXO's (Un-Exploded Ordnance) that might be left over from the battles fought in the area," said Kristoffersen. "It felt great being part of a team going into North Korea. My team was able to see a lot of the country during our trip up to the Chosin Reservoir. While we were at our base camp, the KPA (Korean People¹s Army) were constantly monitoring our every move. There even appeared to be couple of snipers peering down on us at times. We spent about one month working to a distance about five miles from our base camp."
After they completed the excavation, they packed up camp and headed to the De-Militarized Zone.
"Returning was a very exciting event for two reasons. First, we were returning with fallen comrades, and hopefully bringing closure to some families, and second, we were going home," said Kristoffersen. "When we returned to Hawaii, JPAC held a repatriation ceremony for the remains, It was very emotional for myself, and my teammates. I am proud to be part of nation where you are not forgotten, even after 50 plus years."
Schwedhelm said the members of the ten-to-14 person recovery team include forensic anthropologists, linguists, medics, life support technicians, forensic photographers, explosive ordnance disposal technicians, and mortuary affairs specialists. Depending on the terrain and mission requirements, mountaineering specialists, communications technicians and mechanics may also augment the team.
The teams travel carrying more than 10,000 lbs of survival and excavation equipment. They search arduous terrain, often cutting their way through jungles, rappelling down cliff faces and hiking up mountains. Areas searched are often so remote that if trucks or horseback cannot be used, team insertion/extraction is accomplished by helicopter.
Once the team has reached the excavation site, an anthropologist directs the operation in much the same manner as a police-forensic team investigating a crime scene.
Recovery operations typically last from one to two months, depending on the location and access to an identified site. Working closely with host nations, JPAC enlists local workers to assist in the recovery operations. Depending on the scope of the excavation, anywhere from 10-to-100 local workers may be employed at a work site at any given time.
All remains discovered are flown to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii for forensic examinations, including DNA testing. Since 1996, 31-joint recovery operations have been conducted in North Korea, uncovering remains believed to be those of more than 200 service members.
According to Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 1st Class (EOD) Bill Davison, the EOD leading petty officer, missions like supporting JPAC have additional meaning, "Participating in a mission like JPACs, is about more than making unexploded ordnance safe," said Davison, "It is about giving the family of a MIA service member closure. It is a chance to help close a painful chapter in someone's life and help them to move on, That is really something."