EOD COE at the 20th INMEP

The 20th Annual International Meeting of EOD and Bomb Technicians (20th INMEP) was hosted by the Czech Republic in Olsina from May 12th to 16th, 2025. The event again featured military and civilian experts from numerous nations, including representatives from Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, Romania, Czechia, and the United States. The NATO EOD COE was a featured speaker alongside civilian, military, law enforcement, and company presenters.

LTC Blake ZENTENO – DDIR, MSGT Gabor KOROM – EOD Technologies Dpt., and CIV Stefan SOPCAK - TSD represented the NATO EOD COE. They emphasised COE's crucial role in developing the EOD capabilities and improving interoperability for the NATO Alliance.

Participating nations delivered valuable presentations during the multi-day event, showcasing their latest EOD procedures, technologies, and experiences. This knowledge sharing is essential for strengthening international cooperation and effectively addressing everyday challenges.

The DDIR gave a comprehensive presentation on the centre's tasks and current projects and discussed recommended EOD priorities. The presentation highlighted the COE's commitment to supporting the allied EOD community in training, standardisation, and development. Special emphasis was placed on this year's upcoming Demonstration & Trials (D&T) event. Throughout the week, EOD COE representatives reinforced how the D&T was an unparalleled opportunity for collaboration.

The EOD COE’s ETACS (EOD/IEDD Training and Combat Support Kit) system was also discussed and made available for demonstration. Several participants demonstrated interest in the kit and asked to be informed about project updates.

The event provided an excellent platform for experts to exchange experiences and lay the groundwork for future collaborations, contributing to increased global security.

Photo, Text: LTC Blake ZENTENO, (USA-A)