Golden West Humanitarian Foundation Operations in the Pacific

The Golden West Humanitarian Foundation has established deep roots across the Pacific Island nations. Our technical experts have worked throughout the region to remediate explosive remnants of war (ERW) from World War II. Golden West leads efforts to demonstrate United States support for its Pacific friends and allies by building Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) capacity in local organizations and conducting operations to eliminate dangerous World War II munitions.

Supplied and supported by Golden West, the U.S. Department of State’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) has been deployed to multiple sites in the region. The QRF has responded across the region, from Bougainville (an independent province of Papua New Guinea) to Palau, Kiribati, Tuvalu, and the Yap and Pohnpei States within the Federated States of Micronesia, helping to eliminate threats to residents.

From 2011 through 2018, Golden West assisted the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in building an International Mine Action Standards (IMAS)-based EOD capacity in Guadalcanal. We began by training the basic EOD team and progressed with them through IMAS EOD Levels 1-3. By the end of our training, the RSIPF EOD team became one of the most highly qualified EOD operator groups in the Pacific and experts in managing World War II ERW.

In January 2014, Golden West initiated a program in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. With generous support from the U.S. Department of State, Golden West has collaborated with the Marshallese Historic Preservation Office and Marshall Islands officials to conduct World War II ERW clearances. Despite COVID-19 lockdowns and significant logistical and operational challenges, Golden West successfully eliminated World War II munitions on Maloelap, Wotje, and Majuro atolls. The organization also conducted surveys of Jaluit and Mili atolls for upcoming clearance operations.

In 2024, Golden West initiated a four-year program with the Federated States of Micronesia. Beginning in 2025, the Foundation will collaborate with member states to survey and clear selected areas, aiming to eliminate all known surface ERW.

In September 2024, Golden West entered into a cooperative agreement with the Department of State to remove World War II ERW from Caballo Island in Manila Bay, Philippines. In addition to building technical capacity within the Philippine military forces, the project aims to assess Corregidor for potential future ERW remediation projects. The Philippines wants to develop Corregidor as a historic/tourism site.

After decades of work overcoming explosive remnants of war from World War II, Golden West has built a strong reputation for collaboration and capacity building. Whether through short deployments or long-term development projects, Golden West works closely with local people and host government officials to understand their needs and desired outcomes. The Foundation then leverages its extensive experience in training and technology to apply the most effective tools to address those needs.