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SUPSALV Continues Support to Air Force During B-52 Salvage Ops

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081105-23
Release Date: 11/5/2008 10:36:00 AM

From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV), a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) directorate, provided salvage and fleet
support during B-52H recovery operations near Guam.

The B-52H Stratofortress bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean July 21, killing all six crew members. SUPSALV, at the request of the U.S. Air Force, provided direct technical support by recovering aircraft components to assist in its investigation.

"The SUPSALV recovery team completed eight dives with more than 20 hours of bottom time since returning to the site on Oct. 17," said Michael S. Dean, deputy SUPSALV. "We returned after we re-engineered
the remotely operated vehicle CURV21, making it even more efficient for the operating environment. The field engineering efforts are really paying off."

The recovery team has faced numerous challenges in keeping the remotely operated vehicle functioning, but work continues to increase the productivity and bottom time of the vehicle. During one recent dive the vehicle spent 11 hours on the ocean bottom surveying the high
concentration area of the debris field, yielding three items: a large and small tail section actuator and the elevator control surface.

These efforts directly support military readiness and sustain the core elements of our nation's maritime strategy of forward presence, deterrence, sea control and power projection.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.