US Army EOD teams safely destroy legacy munitions in Palau during Exercise Tenacious Archer 26

KOROR, Republic of Palau — U.S. Army Pacific folded a live humanitarian task into Exercise Tenacious Archer 26 in Palau, deploying a joint team of Active Duty, Army Reserve, and National Guard personnel to tackle a lingering World War II hazard.

Responding to a request from Palau’s government, U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal soldiers carried out a complex operation to safely remove and dispose of legacy White Phosphorus munitions.

“This effort is a direct result of close coordination between the U.S. Army, the Government of Palau, U.S. Embassy Koror, Norwegian People’s Aid, and Joint Task Force–Micronesia,” said Maj. Gen. Lance A. Okamura, Deputy Commanding General (Homeland Affairs) for U.S. Army Pacific. “Tenacious Archer 26 exemplifies how U.S. forces work hand-in-hand with host nations and international partners to solve complex challenges and build lasting trust.”

By incorporating real-world unexploded ordnance disposal into a broader air defense training event, the mission showcased the command’s ability to adapt and modernize while delivering tangible results for a partner nation.

“The ability to rapidly and safely address hazardous munitions demonstrates the readiness and responsiveness of U.S. Army Pacific forces,” Okamura added. “By resolving this threat, we help ensure Palau’s communities remain safe and resilient, and that U.S. forces are prepared to prevail in any contingency.”

The effort underscored the deepening U.S.–Palau relationship, grounded in shared security interests and a mutual commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.