Experimental Divers Take Part in Multinational Exercise
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS081213-07
Release Date: 12/13/2008 4:57:00 AM
From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Naval Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU), a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), returned Dec. 3 from an international deep diving exercise on the island of Curacao in the Netherland Antilles.
"This is the first time the U.S. has participated in this NATO exercise. The exercise is a great opportunity to see different capabilities and how each country responds to similar challenges in deep diving operations," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Runkle, NEDU executive officer.
This year Holland, Norway, Finland, Portugal, Estonia, Italy and the United States participated in the annual exercise that promotes international cooperation. Each country featured a 10-man dive team that conducted multiple dives in up to 300 feet of sea water using Heliox rebreathers.
"This has been a very interesting and challenging exercise. A 300-foot dive only gives you about five minutes of usable work time at the bottom - not a lot of time when you have to search for something or conduct a project," said Runkle.
NEDU tests and evaluates diving, hyperbaric and other life-support systems and procedures and conducts research and development in biomedical and environmental physiology. NEDU provides technical recommendations based upon knowledge and experience to NAVSEA to support operational requirements of our armed forces.
For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
