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UCT-1 Integrates Engineering Skills to Support Minneapolis Search and Recovery Efforts

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070814-21
Release Date: 8/14/2007 5:10:00 PM

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Dave Nagle, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

MINNEAPOLIS (NNS) -- Divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 continue search and recovery efforts at the site of the I-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 1 is also providing its expertise to the overall effort.

Lt. Li Ping Sung, the executive officer of UCT-1, has been working with MDSU-2 divers in Minneapolis since Aug. 5, at the request of the Department of Transportation and in support of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

UCT-1, like MDSU-2, is part of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, and consists of Navy Seabees with underwater repair and construction expertise along with specialized dive abilities.

"We handle construction and engineering-related tasks in waterfront and underwater environments," said Sung.

Sung, a diver-qualified combat engineer, is part of the command and control element on scene, providing engineering expertise in assessing the wreckage and helping to develop plans on how the divers can best conduct their recovery operations while ensuring their maximum safety.

"My job is to provide engineering support from a diver perspective, and help determine the safest and most efficient way for the MDSU divers to meet their mission," explained Sung. "The UCT skill sets are complimenting those of MDSU, and that allows us to offer a more complete and comprehensive package of abilities to the operational commander."

UCT-1 and MDSU-2 have worked together in the past, for example, in Um Quasr, Iraq during the initial phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom and during civil relief operations following Hurricane Katrina.

Cmdr. Dan Shultz, MDSU-2 commanding officer, added that the integration of UCT-1's skills has worked very well, enhancing his unit's ability to complete the mission.

"This is a great example of adaptive force packaging at work, demonstrating through a small but relevant example, NECC's ability to provide the right mix of expeditionary skills that are adaptable, responsive and ready to accomplish any mission," said Shultz. "When the call came to provide support, we quickly assembled a team on a moment's notice with the right skill sets and expertise needed in this situation and were on scene within 48 hours as part of the Defense Coordinating Element supporting the local, state and federal agencies."

All active-duty military assets on the scene in Minneapolis are under the command and control of a Defense Coordinating Officer and Defense Coordinating Element assigned to U.S. Army North, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Army North provides Defense support of civil authorities as the Army component of U.S. Northern Command, the unified command headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., that is responsible for homeland defense and civil support.