INDIAN HEAD, Md. –
Cmdr. Stan Allen relieved Cmdr. Eric Hui as Expeditionary Exploitation Unit ONE (EXU-1) commanding officer at a change of command ceremony onboard Naval Support Facility Indian Head, May 30.
“I had the distinct honor and privilege to serve with this unit a few years back and it holds a real special place in my heart… pretty much anywhere you see a conflict going on or a full-scale war, these guys have people on the ground or at sea conducting their work,” said Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) Commanding Officer CAPT Steve Duba in his opening remarks. “They are part of the full-spectrum arsenal. They are a critical piece… putting it all together, you have a really capable, some would say the most capable expeditionary exploitation capability within the Department of Defense.”
Allen brings extensive explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experience and leadership to EXU-1—a detachment under NSWC IHD established in 2006. He has supported multiple global campaigns, most recently as the director of operations for Command, Task Force 68 Navy Expeditionary Combat Forces Europe/Africa in Rota, Spain. Allen brings unique sets of both personal and professional skills to the command that he garnered on the field as a former NCAA Division I football player.
"EXU-1, your reputation precedes you, and I’m honored to be a part of it,” Allen said. “I hope to make you proud as your commanding officer."
The new EXU-1 commanding officer thanked Duba for the opportunity to lead the program as it continues to increase its international contributions to combatant commanders and partner nations on the battlefield. EXU-1 leads NSWC IHD’s mission to collect, process, exploit and analyze improvised and conventional weapons, ordnance and components. The command provides near real-time technical intelligence to tactical commanders, the EOD community, service components, the DoD, national-level intelligence agencies and allied and partner nations.
“Working closely alongside these amazing leaders was like hitting the jackpot for a [commanding officer],” said Hui. “We have seen time and time again the impact that our missions have had on the strategic landscape. Our command successes have come as a result of the extraordinary professionalism, creativity, passion and dedication of each member of the EXU-1 team. To the EXU-1 team, I owe you a great debt that I can never repay. One of the reasons I am so confident is because of Cmdr. Allen. No one is more qualified to lead the expeditionary forces.”
Duba praised Hui’s leadership in the role over the past two years, especially his ability to remain “level-headed” in leading the “unique and diverse” EXU-1 team. Hui earned an End of Tour Award for completing the two-year assignment. However, Hui requested a colleague be honored for his retirement and 25 years of service in lieu of being presented the award.
The secretary of the navy established EXU-1 as an Echelon V command in 2017. In 2018, it was formally established as a stand-alone command. EXU-1 personnel are forward-deployed in seven foreign countries and one U.S. territory, covering exploitation requirements in the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleets. Though modern capabilities have evolved since the early days of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, the mission remains the same: “Defeat the Device, Attack the Network, and Train the Force.”
NSWC IHD — a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command and part of the Navy’s Science and Engineering Establishment — is the leader in ordnance, energetics, and EOD solutions. The Division focuses on energetics research, development, testing, evaluation, in-service support, manufacturing and disposal; and provides warfighters solutions to detect, locate, access, identify, render safe, recover, exploit and dispose of explosive ordnance threats.