FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2026
Project DYNAMO announces the appointment of Sergeant Major Mike R. Vining, U.S. Army (Ret.), to its Advisory Board, bringing three decades of military service and extensive experience in explosive ordnance disposal, special operations and senior enlisted leadership to the organization’s global rescue and humanitarian mission.
A founding member of Delta Force and the unit’s first explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialist, Vining built a career assessing threats and supporting complex missions under pressure. His experience adds depth to DYNAMO’s Advisory Board and supports the preparation and judgment required to bring Americans and allies to safety amid conflict, disasters and other crises.
Vining enlisted in the Army in 1968 and trained in explosive ordnance disposal and nuclear weapons disposal. He spent 11 months in combat in Vietnam with the 99th Ordnance Detachment before joining the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta in 1978 and completing its first Operator Training Course.
His service included Operation EAGLE CLAW, the mission to rescue American hostages in Iran, and Operation URGENT FURY in Grenada. During a second tour with Delta Force, he served as Chief EOD Technician and held senior research and development roles, leading work on explosives and breaching. He also deployed in support of the federal penitentiary riot response in Atlanta and Operation DESERT STORM.
At Joint Special Operations Command, Vining planned exercises and served as Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Joint Special Operations Task Force aboard USS America off Haiti during Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. He later served as the explosives expert on the task force that investigated the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia. In his final assignment, he helped develop plans to defeat hardened targets before retiring in January 1999.
Vining’s decorations include the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star Medal. He earned the Combat Infantryman Badge and Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, received the Order of Delta Colors, and was inducted into the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2026, he received the U.S. Army Ordnance Order of Thomas J. Kane Award No. 3.
Vining holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of the State of New York. He serves as a director and historian of the National EOD Association and sits on the EOD Warrior Foundation’s Honorary Advisory Board.
Project DYNAMO welcomes Vining to an organization united by a responsibility to those facing crisis and a determination to bring them home. His experience evaluating danger, preparing teams and making consequential decisions strengthens the expertise supporting that mission.
Welcome to the line, Sergeant Major.
About Project DYNAMO
Project DYNAMO is a nonprofit rescue and humanitarian organization helping people reach safety amid conflict, disasters and other crises. Learn more at projectdynamo.net.
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