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USNS Grasp Wraps-up Partnership Mission in the Eastern Caribbean Ocean

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080916-14
Release Date: 9/16/2008 3:25:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (EXW/SW/DV/PJ) Kori Melvin, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Detachment Combat Camera Norfolk

LITTLE CREEK, Va. (NNS) -- Military Sealift Command rescue and salvage ship USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51) departed Grenada Sept. 10 and began its journey home to Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., after completing a successful 90-day deployment.

Grasp, crewed by 26 civil service mariners (CIVMARs) from the Navy's Military Sealift Command and a permanent detachment of four Sailors in the communication suite, along with 14 attached Navy specially-trained rescue and salvage divers, participated in Navy Diver – Southern Partnership Station 2008 (ND-SPS 08). They conducted joint maritime security dive operations and community relations projects throughout the Eastern Caribbean.

U.S. Navy divers, made up from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's (NECC) Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Support Unit (EODESU) Group 2, and Underwater Construction Teams (UCT) 1 and 2, participated in both basic and advanced joint training evolutions which had combined elements of classroom indoctrination and diving operations.

The first two-week basic phase was held in Antigua with 13 Regional Security System (RSS) divers from Antigua, the Commonwealth of Dominica, and St. Lucia. The second was held in Barbados with 23 RSS divers from Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. During these evolutions, divers exchanged ideas on emergency procedures, hull and pier inspections, searching techniques, and light-weight underwater salvage methods.

The two-week advanced phase was held in Barbados, immediately following the two-week basic phase. Twenty-seven RSS divers from six of the seven island nations, who participated in the basic phase, worked together and shared techniques for more in-depth topics such as self contained underwater breathing apparatus maintenance, operational planning, and advanced medicine.

"This mission has allowed us to learn from one another," stated Chief Navy Diver Michael Woods, from MDSU 2, Company 2-3. "This will hopefully promote interoperability for future diving operations and enhance security and stability throughout this region."

U.S. Navy divers also conducted maritime security operations in the island nations they visited – Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, the Commonwealth of Dominica, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. Grasp's divers worked together with the local RSS divers to conduct antiterrorism/force protection pier inspections on commercial and military piers throughout each island.

In St. Vincent, two U.S Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians, from Mobile Unit 2, joined the Grasp's team to properly dispose unexploded ordnance, thought to be World War II-era, which was found recently by a local recreational diver.

With the Navy divers conducting continuous, joint dive operations, Grasp's CIVMARs and permanent military detachment led the effort to conduct community relations projects ashore. The divers – occupied most days with dive operations – also assisted with all of these projects as available. Whether it was improvement projects at a local school, clearing a littered nature trail, donating to the needy or hosting interactive tours on the ship for local youth groups, Grasp's crew was actively involved with each community throughout the deployment.

"We want these people to think of the United States as a friend of theirs," said Lt. Cmdr. Bobby Greene, the mission commander. "I really appreciate the CIVMARs organizing these community outreach projects and would like to thank everyone for participating. It has greatly added to the success of this mission."

ND-SPS 08 was a mission to enhance cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services and improve operational readiness for all participating services while supporting the global maritime security strategy in the U.S. Southern Command area of focus.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.