SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Thirty-eight feet below the Pacific Ocean, Naval Reserve divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 Detachments 419 and 220 conduct maintenance and security on the hull of USS Boxer (LHD 4).
To some, this may seem routine, but last spring, the units were tasked with a new mission that shifted their focus from salvage operations to ships husbandry. As a result, the two detachments, based in San Diego and Alameda, Calif., respectively, created an internal training curriculum based on operational requirements. This is the first time Naval Reserve divers have received the new training.
In addition to ships husbandry, the new mission also requires focus on security swims.
Lt. Cmdr. Richard Rodriguez, commanding officer (CO) of MDSU-1, Det. 419 explains, “Due to the homeland defense initiative, security swimming is a big part of what we do. The security swims are conducted to look for swimmers, items on the hull of the ship, et cetera.”
The change in the mission was due in part to the gaining command, MDSU-1 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and its commanding officer, who decided the unit would be in a better position to augment the active-duty force if called upon.
"If Reservists were called, they would more than likely go to Hawaii or San Diego, and perform ships husbandry on a daily basis. Also, if they were in Hawaii, they would have the ability to be forward deployed to go anywhere in the COMPACFLEET [Commander, Pacific Fleet] area of responsibility,” Rodriguez said.
This training allows both units to contribute greatly to the operating unit in San Diego.
“This works great for the ships that are on a training schedule. Since we drill on the weekends, we can do any necessary maintenance without throwing off their schedule. We’re definitely an asset, because we aren’t going to gripe about working on the weekends!” said Chief Hospital Corpsman (Diver) Garth Sinclair, who is the training officer for Det. 419.
In addition to working on Boxer, the units also conducted coxswain training on an 18-foot Boston Whaler docked at the U.S. Coast Guard Station.
MDSU-1 Det. 419 and 220 are able to maintain an excellent relationship with the units for which they provide service.
“The ships don’t see us as Reservists. If you are a CO and you have a rope around your screw, your main concern is removing it. We are providing a service that they are in need of. All we are asking for in exchange is the opportunity to receive training and do the job at hand,” said Rodriguez.
“Reserve divers study alongside their active-duty counterparts in the classroom. That is a big challenge for them. Recently, two divers graduated from diving school with honors. That is an awesome accomplishment when you’re talking about the entire active Navy and Reserve Force,” Sinclair said.
Hull Technician 2nd Class (Diver) Jay Boyse, Det. 419, is a construction superintendent from Phoenix. As a console watch, he monitors the amount of pressure that goes to the divers and makes sure the airflow is sufficient.
“We couldn’t ask for a more enriched training environment. In addition to being in San Diego, we get to bring two units together to train. We’re learning together and bonding as one team,” said Boyse.
This team is made up of law enforcement officers, teachers, a restaurant owner and a physician’s assistant among others. Sinclair says this variety of background gives strength to the diving team.
Divers in detachments 419 and 220 were able to adapt to the shift in mission focus quickly and effectively. They are contributing greatly to the overall exercise by proving they are a highly valuable resource to the fleet in real time operations. It is this kind of pride and motivation that makes the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve one powerful force and one powerful team.
