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Exercise Island Response Concludes in Seychelles

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061117-17
Release Date: 11/17/2006 4:23:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Kathryn Whittenberger, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MAHE ISLAND, Seychelles (NNS) -- Exercise Island Response 2006 concluded Nov. 16, with the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) diving unit and U.S. Navy divers and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians participating in a closing ceremony.

The 14-day bilateral exercise allowed U.S. Navy and SCG units to focus on improving force protection, salvage, and counter limpet mine capabilities.

“Island Response has been going on for a few years and each year, our guys learn new things from the U.S. Navy divers and EOD techs,” said Lt. Ronny Matatiken, diving officer for the SCG. He said Seychelles is considered one of the safest ports in Africa, and maritime security is their priority. With more than 700,000 tons of cargo coming into port annually, the dive unit is always busy.

“For us, the exercise is dual purpose,” said Senior Chief Navy Diver (MDV) Gene McDaniel, from MDSU 1. “Not only do we get to share our techniques and equipment, but we get to test our equipment and flex our mobility throughout the AOR (area of responsibility). It’s also good experience for our junior guys. Part of their professional development is being able to train others.”

An addition to this year’s training was a practical exercise dealing with limpet mine removal from a vessel.

“It’s good for us to learn about this type of mission,” said Warrant Officer Eric Lestrange, an SCG diver. “This is very beneficial to us because the limpet mine removal will help keep us safe.”

The final aspect of the exercise included the SCG conducting underwater demolition operations with the U.S. divers and EOD technicians observing and evaluating their techniques.

“It was beneficial seeing the capabilities of the equipment to help us determine what we may need in the future,” Matatiken said.

Although most of the training was conducted by the U.S. Navy divers and EOD technicians, the exercise also tested their abilities in a different way.

“It was a great chance to demonstrate a capability that they may want to use in the future,” said Navy Diver 2nd Class Brandon Holt, who had his first experience as an instructor during the Mk 20 course. The Mk 20 is a full face mask which enables communication and enhances mission capability.

The training was immediately useful.

“They have a very capable dive team here that I was really impressed with,” said McDaniel. “They picked up everything from the classroom right away and incorporated it into the practical without any hesitation at all.”

The group brought eight tons of equipment from Manama, Bahrain, where MDSU 1 is temporarily assigned. The equipment included a transportable recompression chamber, full face mask SCUBA, side scan sonar, metal detector and a F-470 Zodiac, a combat rubber raiding craft.

“With any exercise, logistics can be a challenge and this helps us test our mobility and contingency planning,” said McDaniel. “We’re also able to bring in new equipment and new techniques to show them that there are different ways to conduct a mission.”