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U.S Navy Divers Strengthen Ties With Republic of Korea Navy Divers

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070416-10
Release Date: 4/16/2007 9:56:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Didier, Fleet Public Affairs Center Detachment Sasebo Japan

CHINHAE, South Korea (NNS) -- Divers from USS Safeguard (ARS 50) conducted joint diving exercises with divers from the Republic of Korea Navy March 2-9, to learn techniques from each other that could help in future combined operations.

The first day of the exercise consisted of familiarization dives pier side on Safeguard to familiarize the Korean divers with diving and salvage techniques that would be used aboard U.S. Navy ships in future exercises.

“Working with the U.S. Navy creates a good friendship,” said Republic of Korea Navy Chief Warrant Officer Ban Seok Dong. "I think the U.S. Navy and Korean Navy would make a great salvage team.”

Divers from the Safeguard spent the next three days observing Korean divers on board the Korean Navy ships ROKS Pyungtaek (ATS-27) and ROKS Kwangyang (ATS-28) as well as Safeguard, where they observed their diving techniques and exchanged ideas for safer and more efficient diving and salvage operations in the future.

“It was a very good experience going on the Korean ship and them coming onboard Safeguard,” said Navy Diver 3rd Class Jesse Delapena. “If something does come up and we have to work with them, we are familiar diving with one another and things go smoother.”

The focus of the final day of the diving exercise was to familiarize both countries with different procedures for using demolition explosives that are used by the U.S. and Korean Navy.

“Seeing as how we both use similar procedures we worked well together and all we have to do is adjust for the language barrier,” said Navy Diver 1st Class Joseph Moebius. “I feel that the mission was a success, and it helped us to build camaraderie between one another.”

The diving exercise was part of a planned salvage exercise between the U.S. and Korean Navies. The exercise involved demonstrating the abilities of dive and salvage ships used by the two Navies.

Safeguard is a rescue and salvage ship of Amphibious Forces 7th Fleet, operating out of Sasebo, Japan, which serves under Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.