August was another interesting month, featuring a trip to Reston, Virginia for the HDR&D Requirements Workshop. Most of the month seemed to revolve around working on proposals for funding projects discussed during an informal meeting with HDR&D at the end of July in Honolulu. We pitched a number of different concepts, but in the end most of them failed to meet the fairly narrowly focused range of interests at HDR&D.
The HDR&D organization has rebooted since shifting from OSD to U.S. Army direction. The days of projects involving explosives and technical support systems (solar, tools, etc.) have gone to be replaced by their original focus on mechanical clearance and detection.
The HDR&D Workshop was a great opportunity to see old friends and meet some new people. Wayne Turnbull and I had the opportunity to spend some time with PM/WRA, OSD Policy and representatives from INDOPACOM, MARFORPAC and CENTCOM. We listened to presentations from HDR&D, MAG, HALO Trust, NPA, and APOPO. We had the opportunity to talk about Golden West and added a slide about Swim for Life Vietnam and our drowning prevention programs.
We also had the opportunity to see a variety of mechanical clearance machines, vegetation clearance machines, and detection equipment. The displays were interesting, but really had limited applicability to what Golden West is doing in 2023. It’s good to know information in case we encounter situations that could benefit from that level of technology.
The last day was reserved for our internal discussions and a meeting with HDR&D. This meeting limited the scope of our proposals and provided a deadline of 15 September to get them submitted.
We have an exciting fall coming up filled with opportunities to build Golden West as an organization and as a capability for the sector. We have a QRF team in Papua New Guinea, an EOD team in the Marshall Islands, training underway in Fiji and have been directed to conduct EOD assessments in the Federated States of Micronesia and Kiribati. Our training support programs in Eastern Europe continue apace and are highly regarded. Our PSSM team is doing great things in multiple countries and leading the sector in building capacity.
A couple of our team members had some serious surgery this month and our thoughts are with them and our wishes for a speedy recovery. Thanks to everyone for the great work and support. Lots of new adventures ahead and please let us know if you have ideas to make this newsletter better.
Al Vosburgh
President & CEO, Golden West Humanitarian Foundation
PSSM MISSION TO GEORGIA
Executed in partnership with the USEUCOM PSSM assistance program and the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA), in close collaboration with the Defense Forces of Georgia (GDF).
We have now conducted an extensive site survey aimed at assessing and planning the refurbishment of an Explosive Storehouse, a significant step forward.
MENTORSHIP IN MOLDOVA
We have been playing a pivotal role in strengthening Moldovan Army EOD skills through mentoring in partnership with US EUCOM HMA Program.
Like all our mentoring programs, this initiative serves as a vital reinforcement of the classroom learnings delivered by the HMA EOD teams.
Five exceptional Instructor Cadre were at the heart of this training, held at the Negresti Engineer base and NTC Bulboaca. Here, in the field, amidst the real-world challenges, the EOD team took on intricate multi-device scenarios.
The outcomes were remarkable: enhanced precision in time-sensitive situations, an elevated comfort level with diverse tools and techniques, and an invaluable opportunity for daily one-on-one reviews.
MOBILE CUTTING SYSTEMS TRAINING IN THAILAND
We recently conducted intensive MCS training in Prasat, Thailand, alongside the dedicated teams from Thailand Mine Action Center’s Humanitarian Mine Action Unit 3 and Humanitarian Mine Action Unit TMAC.
During the training, M15 and Type 59 Anti-Tank landmines were remotely cut twice with the explosives harvested from these munitions set to be recycled and repurposed for future demining operations.
This project continues in collaboration with long term partners.
Program Update
We report a lot about Swim for Life efforts to expand into Quang Tri Province and sometimes fail to mention the extended effort still underway in Quang Binh.
In addition to the on-going expansion of Swim for Life Vietnam programs in Quang Tri Province, funded by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, SFL continues carrying out programs in Quang Binh Province, funded 100% by Golden West. In Quang Binh, we support ten schools that have swimming pools, providing teacher training and support functions across the province.
In addition to providing technical advice on pool operations and maintenance of safe water quality, SFL Technical Advisors provide curriculum updates and support for disadvantaged students in the province. SFL continues to expand to new districts and communes within Quang Binh with the goal of working with everyone who has an interest in preventing child drowning.
In 2023, SFL has over 3,000 school age children signed up for survival swimming lessons and continues our popular drowning prevention presentations in the schools. SFL also continues our efforts to inform parents and the community about the risks of drowning through a series of public announcements, signs, posters, and media presentations. Golden West is proud of our efforts to save lives in central Vietnam.