U.S. Navy EOD Unit Earns Second Consecutive Battle “E” Award, Highlighting Warfighting Readiness

U.S. Navy EOD Unit Earns Second Consecutive Battle "E" Award, Highlighting Warfighting Readiness

by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jackson Adkins

19 March 2026 . --
For the second year in a row, Commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) announced that Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit EIGHT (EODMU-8) has been recognized for its sustained superior performance with the Battle Effectiveness (Battle "E") Award for 2025, a testament to the unit's significant contributions to integrated deterrence and warfighting advantage.

This prestigious annual award is granted to U.S. Navy units that consistently demonstrate the highest levels of operational readiness and mission execution. The Battle "E" signifies a unit's excellence across a wide range of evaluated areas, including operational proficiency, readiness, lethality, and the capability to successfully carry out its assigned tasks in a complex global security environment.

"This recognition belongs entirely to the Sailors and families of EOD Mobile Unit Eight," said Cmdr. Matthew Guido, Commanding Officer, EODMU-8. "Their hard work, professionalism, and relentless pursuit of excellence made this possible. Winning the Battle 'E' for the second consecutive year speaks volumes about the culture this team has built and the pride they take in representing the Navy and the EOD community every day."

Stationed in Rota, Spain, the "Thunderstealers" of EODMU-8 are one of NECC's forward-deployed expeditionary forces, providing critical EOD support to U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and the U.S. Sixth Fleet. EODMU-8's mission set includes everything from counter-improvised explosive device operations to maritime mine countermeasure operations, and the disposal of conventional, chemical, and biological ordnance on both land and sea. These capabilities are essential to keeping strategic waterways open and ensuring the fleet can project power from the sea.

"EOD Mobile Unit 8 builds warfighters through discipline, and we build discipline through perseverance," said CMDCM Tyler Borgwardt, Command Master Chief, EODMU-8. "Earning this award symbolizes the culture of excellence and the discipline displayed by our senior leaders to our most junior personnel. We reward our people with autonomy to become experts in their craft, and this award is the result of that trust and empowerment. I couldn't be prouder of the toughness and professionalism of our team."

Throughout the year, EODMU-8 has been at the forefront of multinational exercises, increasing interoperability with NATO Allies and partners. Their demanding operational tempo included participation in major exercises such as Baltic Operations 2025, Northern Challenge 2025, and Sea Breeze 2025, among others, where they honed their skills in complex and challenging environments, directly strengthening collective defense and regional security.

Sailors assigned to a unit which receives the Battle "E" Award are authorized to wear the Battle Efficiency Ribbon, a visible symbol of their outstanding performance and dedication to the Navy's core tenets of readiness and lethality.
For more information, visit https://www.necc.usff.navy.mil/eod/