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DSU Recieves Meritorious Unit Commendation for International Response

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060728-10
Release Date: 7/28/2006 9:51:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Porter Anderson, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- The Navy’s Deep Submergence Unit (DSU) received the Meritorious Unit Commendation at Naval Base Coronado July 27, for operations during a Russian submarine rescue in Kamchatka, Russia, and participation in exercise Sorbet Royal.

In Aug. 2005, DSU assisted in the rescue of a seven-man Russian submarine trapped hundreds of feet under the Pacific Ocean near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. British and Japanese navies assisted in the rescue, with the use of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) that cut the submarine free of the fishing net entangling the submarine.

“It was kind of weird when we first got there. The tension between the U.S. Navy and Russia reminded me a lot of the tension that must have been common during the Cold War,” said Electronics Technician 1st Class (SS/DV) Chris M. Armantrout, DSU ROV pilot. “Once they saw how hard we were working to save the lives of the Russian crewmen, the tension subsided, and we started to work as an effective whole.”

DSU also participated in exercise Sorbet Royal, a NATO submarine exercise held every three years designed to improve international submarine rescue capabilities.

“Sorbet Royal is the biggest submarine rescue exercise in the world," Lt. Cmdr. Gerard DeMers, medical officer for DSU said. "We worked with people from all over the world; over 26 nations participated with this exercise.”

DSU efforts have become an asset to the Navy and other navies across the globe. DSU dedication to training and response to submarine rescue, keep DSU’s teams ready to react at a moment’s notice to ensure the job is done as quickly and safely as possible.

“Our job is stressful. When we have to go out like we did for the Russian rescue, the stress gets even higher,” said Storekeeper 1st Class (SS) Brian A. Powell, supply leading petty officer for DSU. “We want to get the job done, and we want it done right. We work through the stress; we get the job done.”