Underwater Construction Team 2 Conducts Joint Divers Training Exercise

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Chatman | SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, California (September 1, 2021) Command Master Diver Senior Chief Terry Juergens assigned with Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2, Diver 2nd Class Brian Lehuede assigned with USCG Regional Dive Locker West, and Construction Mechanic 1st Class Josh Embry assigned with UCT 2 Construction Diving Detachment Alfa (CDD/A), standing by for hands on supervisor checks prior to entering the water for a 190ft surface decompression dive off the coast of San Clemente Island, CA on September 1, 2021. CDD/A is executing their Divers Training Exercise during the detachment’s 12-month homeport training cycle prior to being certified as “ready for deployment”. UCT 2 provides underwater and waterfront inspection, construction, and repair capabilities in support of Naval operations worldwide. (U.S. Navy photo by Lieutenant Junior Grade Christina Roberts)  

SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

09.10.2021

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Chatman 

Underwater Construction Team 2

Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2 Construction Diving Detachment ALFA (CDD/A) conducted a joint Divers Training Exercise (DIVEX) in September 2021 with divers from UCT-2, the U.S. Coast Guard Regional Dive Locker West, and the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center. Conducting a joint DIVEX allows the divers from different branches and commands to learn how to work together, train on new types of systems, expand mission capabilities, and overall improve readiness to work side by side in a hostile environment. The training covered multiple events in and around San Clemente Island, California and is a critical event in the CDD’s Fleet Readiness Training Plan (FRTP). Upon successful completion, the CDD is certified as “Ready for Deployment”. DIVEX provides all members of CDD/A with the knowledge and experience required to be skilled Underwater Construction Technicians in preparation for Major Combat Operations (MCO) and is the last major milestone in preparation for their upcoming deployment.

DIVEX consists of 4 phases that build upon each other in complexity: Classroom, Pool, Pier, and Out-To-Sea, with the last phase being held off the coast of San Clemente Island. Among the events and assignments that were performed during DIVEX were underwater cutting and welding, underwater hydraulic tool use, small boat operations, hydrographic surveys, diving emergency procedures, decompression diving, 190-foot dives, mooring buoy inspections using remotely operated underwater vehicles, land demolition, precision underwater demolition using Surface Supplied Diving Systems (SSDS), testing of the Sierra Blaster with land detonations and underwater detonations, mooring buoy anchor leg repair, and a borehole inspection. All of CDD/A’s required operating capabilities (ROCs) were tested and evaluated throughout the exercise, proving their readiness to conduct the full range of UCT’s mission sets.
CDD/A recorded 31 dives with a total bottom time of 1190 minutes (19.8 hours) with 13 divers from the CDD/A, six Coast Guard Divers, and seven other UCT-2 dive personnel conducting joint divers training in efforts to increase and maintain the readiness and qualifications of the CDD, build relationships with other branches, and be prepared to execute all underwater construction missions required.

UCT-2, homeported in Port Hueneme, CA, provides a capability for underwater construction, inspection, repair, and maintenance of waterfront and ocean facilities in support of Navy and Marine Corps operations across the Pacific region. UCT 2 is an ECH V command assigned under administrative and operational control to Naval Construction Group (NCG) ONE in homeport and under the operational control of fleet commanders when forward deployed. UCT-2 forces are combat ready, mobile forces specially trained to directly support fleet, joint, coalition, interagency, homeland defense, and contingency operations by carrying out missions across the range of military operations, operating afloat or ashore within the continental United States (CONUS) or outside the continental United States (OCONUS), along the conflict continuum.

• Date Taken: 09.10.2021
• Date Posted: 09.29.2021 16:21
• Story ID: 406305
• Location: SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND, CALIFORNIA, US