Mobile Diving Unit Protecting US 5th Fleet Waters

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Justin Stumberg | Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Peters, diver, assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 enters the water during an anti-terrorism/force protection dive in Manama, Bahrain. MDSU 2 is deployed as part of Combined Task Group 56.1 to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

12.16.2010

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Stumberg  

Commander Task Force 56

MANAMA, Bahrain - Divers assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, homeported at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., are deployed to Bahrain in support of Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection dive operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

“Anti-Terrorism/ Force Protection dives are used to prevent terrorist attacks on U.S. assets,” said Senior Chief Navy Diver Joseph Pendino.

AT/FP dives are a protective measure against explosive devices that could be attached to U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command or commercial ships. MDSU 2 conducts dives on barges, tugs, or piers that come into close contact with any U.S. vessel or property.

“Whenever we go out on a regular AT/FP dive, we have a coxswain who’s normally the dive supervisor,” said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jon Neal, diver. “We also have one diver, one stand-by diver, and one line tender, so the whole team consists of four people.”

Neal said that in the event of rough weather, they bring a fifth person to be the dive supervisor so the coxswain can focus on navigation.

“Any time you dive there’s risk involved, a lot things can happen,” said Neal. “In an emergency situation the dive supervisor can act as a line tender so two divers can be in the water.”

MDSU 2 has completed more than 60 AT/FP dives since arriving in Bahrain in September. Responsible for all of U.S. 5th Fleet, MDSU 2 is highly deployable and ready to move at a moment’s notice.

Since the Oct. 12, 2000 attack on USS Cole, U.S. authorities are more aware of the dangers associated with high-volume ship traffic. Cole was attacked by suicide bombers, who detonated an explosive-laden boat against her port side, tearing a hole in the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers engineering compartment. The attack took the lives of 17 sailors while the ship was anchored in Aden, Yemen, for a routine refueling stop.

If Navy Divers from MDSU 2 discovered an explosive, they would work hand in hand with Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1 to neutralize the threat. Both MDSU 2 and EODMU 1 bring resources, expertise and experience to ensure the protection of U.S. assets.

MDSU 2 is deployed as part of Combined Task Group 56.1 to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

• Date Taken: 12.16.2010
• Date Posted: 12.20.2010 13:17
• Story ID: 62344
• Location: MANAMA, BH