Photo By Chief Petty Officer Jeff Atherton | 200611-N-AP176-1054 VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (June 11, 2020) Navy divers assigned to Mobile...... read more read more
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VIRIGINIA BEACH, Va. – Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 led an emergent damage repair rehearsal of concept (ROC) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story June 11.
The rehearsal, held in-parallel to BALTOPS 2020, was conducted to test U.S. forces' rapid response capability to stricken vessels during conflict in semi-permissive environments.
BALTOPS, held in the Baltic region since 1972, is a joint, maritime-focused exercise that brings together NATO Allies and partners in order to increase interoperability and enhance flexibility.
The rehearsal tested MDSU 2 and supporting units’ ability to rapidly deploy, conduct damage assessment, affect emergent temporary repairs, and offload ordnance from damaged warships.
“This rehearsal is the culmination of a two-week operational planning event incorporating capabilities from several units with the in order to sustain naval fighting power,” said Lt. Phil Westbrook, MDSU 2 operations officer.
For this scenario, a simulated enemy explosive device struck a maritime vessel in a contested environment. Prior to any damage assessment and repairs, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians assigned to EOD Mobile Unit (EODMU) 12 conducted an initial underwater sweep of the vessel to sweep for additional explosive devices attached to the hull. After the sweep, Navy divers assigned to MDSU 2 entered the water and completed the necessary emergent patching in order for the vessel to get underway and return to port to receive repairs.
“We are preparing for real-world scenarios where there will need to be a fly away capability and a land-based component to our emergent repair mission,” said Westbrook. “We have incredible assets at our disposal and this rehearsal was essential to walk through the process of getting our ships back in the fight.”
MDSU 2 and EODMU 12 personnel were joined by teams from Underwater Construction Teams, Regional Maintenance Centers, Navy Cargo Handling Battalions, and Naval Sea Systems Command Supervisor of Salvage and Diving who would be vital to the repair effort in forward naval ports.
In the scenario, the damage was emergently patched and the ship returned to port, where Navy divers from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) entered the water to conduct more thorough assessment and temporary repairs to the vessel.
Based on lessons learned from the operational planning event and rehearsal of concept, MDSU 2 and supporting units continue to experiment with new emergent response technologies and build upon their strengths as an integrated force.
“In our capacity as an expeditionary force, we have the unique capability to rapidly deploy and conduct vital assessments and emergent repairs,” said Westbrook. “At the end of the day, Navy diving and EOD is a piece of the puzzle; our focus is to return ships to a warfighting status. Today was a proof of concept; we have the personnel and capability to answer the call when it is necessary.”
MDSU 2 and EODMU 12 are part of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2, which oversees all east coast explosive ordnance disposal and a mobile diving and salvage unit which are capable of providing skilled, capable, and combat-ready deployable forces around the globe to support a range of operations.
For more news from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2, visit www.navy.mil/local/eod2/.
| Date Taken: | 06.11.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 06.24.2020 15:10 |
| Story ID: | 372655 |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 273 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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