EODGRU 1 welcomes new commander
7/27/2010
CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 1 held a change of command ceremony aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado July 23.

Capt. Edward W. Eidson relieved Capt. Theodore J. Lucas as commander, EODGRU-1.

"It was an honor and a privilege to work with Commodore Lucas," said Lt. Gregory Kurtz, EODGRU-1 operations officer. "He's not just a great leader, he's a genuinely great person and everyone's a bit sad to see him go."

Rear Adm. Michael P. Tillotson, commander, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, served as guest speaker.

"Commodore Lucas has done an outstanding job preparing EOD Group 1 for its deployment as commander of the Joint Task Force responsible for countering IEDs, and now Captain Eidson has the rare opportunity to take that command and lead them in theater," said Tillotson.

Lucas thanked friends, families and Sailors from the EOD community.

"As this command continues to change and prepare for its first Navy EOD group deployment to Iraq, I can't think of a more qualified leader and warrior to achieve the next level of success," said Lucas. "As you continue to adapt, perhaps you can take comfort in the words of Abraham Lincoln, 'The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.'"

Prior to assuming command, Eidson served as the special plans division chief for Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Lucas was born in Greenwich, Conn. He received his commission through Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at Texas A&M University where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in geography. He earned a master's degree in human resources from Hawaii Pacific University. His next assignment is Commander, Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group in Newport, R.I.

EODGRU-1 was commissioned Oct. 3, 1983. The unit provides operational EOD capability as required for the location, identification, rendering safe, recovery, field evaluation and disposal of all explosive ordnance including chemical and nuclear weapons, up to the high water mark of coastal and inland water areas and within the boundaries of naval activities in Southern California.