Top U.S. Navy EOD Technicians Complete Annual King Crab Competition
SAN DIEGO – The third annual King Crab competition concluded with a decisive win for Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2, Aug. 28, 2026. King Crab is the annual U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) competition to enhance combat readiness and identify the most proficient two-person EOD team through rigorous competition across all primary warfighting areas.
EOD Technician 1st Class Nick Wiencek and EOD Technician 3rd Class James Vosler, with EODMU-2, were named the top technicians in a ceremony among service members, friends and family.
“The past five days were very difficult, but at the same time, extremely rewarding and fun,” said Wiencek. “We are stoked to represent EODMU-2 and the East Coast out here in San Diego.”
The competition has grown to include 24 competitors from 12 different units within the Navy EOD enterprise. EOD Technicians from EODMU-1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, EOD Training and Evaluation Unit 1 and Naval School EOD participated in King Crab 2026.
“King Crab was a lot of fun and very challenging,” said Vosler, reflecting on the week. “I learned a lot about myself with the variety of evolutions and tasks we completed together.”
The competition began in the early hours of Monday, Aug. 24 on Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake in China Lake, California. Competitors went head-to-head in physical, mental and technical events designed to test their abilities to balance all warfighting aspects in land-based combat scenarios. Land-based evolutions in China Lake included scenarios to test tactical medical care, mine strike and IED response, ordnance extraction, precision shooting and a graded academic exam.
Moving from the deserts of China Lake to the shores of San Diego, technicians began the next portion of King Crab with a five-stage physical combine-style competition and a water obstacle course to test agility and fitness in a new environment. Other San Diego-based events included an underwater ordnance identification evolution while diving on SCUBA rigs, a beach "mine pull" race between East and West Coast units, and a series of varied isolated EOD response drills to test the two-person teams.
Competitors capped off the week Friday morning with a three-mile ruck run. In total, competitors completed 25 graded evolutions, shot 8,000 rounds of ammunition, and disposed of 890 pounds of net explosive weight, completed 360 minutes of diving, all while resting and refueling in field conditions at the end of each day. The competition concluded with a ceremony on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, complete with a freefall jump demonstration from a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft, a helocasting demonstration from MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters and an award presentation by Vice Adm. Marc Miguez, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and Capt. Josh Preston, Capt. Jay Higgins and Command Master Chief Aaron Ryan of EOD Group 1.
“The energy our competitors brought to the field this week is a mindset, not just a moment,” said Higgins. “Demonstrating discipline under exhaustion and proficiency under pressure defines the standard of excellence our teams maintain in both training and real-world operations. These competitors honor 85 years of Navy EOD legacy while proving their competence as the next generation of warfighters ready to support the fleet and joint force in any future fight.”
Behind EODMU-2, EODMU-8’s EOD Technician 2nd Class Dallin Roberts and EOD Technician 2nd Class Garret Dorris came in second place, with Lt. j.g. Nick Cabell and EOD Technician 1st Class Ricky Perez of EODMU-5 in third.
King Crab is the U.S. Navy EOD community’s premier annual tactical challenge, designed to test the full spectrum of operational capabilities. The exercise inspires teamwork, camaraderie, unit pride and is a demonstration of Navy EOD warfighting effectiveness in full force.
For more information on Navy EOD, visit https://www.necc.usff.navy.mil/eod/.
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