Underwater Teamwork Submariners, SEALs, and Navy Divers Bring Increased Capabilities to the Fleet When combatant commanders need the latest intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) – and they need it now – they turn to the Navy’s “underwater team.” Consisting of elements from three different Navy warfare specialties (SEALS, divers, and submarines), the underwater team is able to leverage their unique capabilities and expertise and provide a boots on the ground – or in some cases “fins in the water” – presence that is required in today’s modern security environment. One of these “underwater teams”, comprised of the fast attack submarine USS Dallas (SSN-700) and members of SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Team 2 recently conducted special warfare exercises. Taking their name from the elements in which they operate (Sea, Air, and Land), Navy SEALs conduct training from submarines to increase their proficiency for operating covertly in the littorals. Submarine Dry Deck Shelter (DDS) training is by far the most complex underwater exercise that Naval Special Warfare (NSW) conducts – with success relying on a synchronized effort between the host submarine crew and NSW operators (SEALs and the Navy divers operating the DDS). During this SPECWAR exercise, NSW operators learned and practiced procedures for launch and recovery from the submarine, which is required for the teams deployment as an operational unit. Dallas is one of five submarines specially modified to host the DDS which acts as an open ocean interface to house either a SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) or a complement of combat rubber raiding craft. The DDS can be used to transport and launch an SDV or to “lock out” combat swimmers. With the SDV, SEALs can travel underwater several miles to reach an objective area. NAVY SEALS A tactical force with strategic impact, Navy SEALs perform a number of missions: unconventional warfare, direct action, combating terrorism, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense, information warfare, security assistance, counter-drug operations, personnel recovery and hydrographic reconnaissance. SEALs also provide real time intelligence and “eyes on target” which offer decision-makers immediate and virtually unlimited options in the face of rapidly changing crises around the world. With stealth and clandestine methods of operation, SEALs are capable of conducting multiple missions against targets that larger forces couldn’t approach undetected. Those missions take teamwork which is, of course, something critical in accomplishing any mission. SEALs work with the same platoon of divers throughout their workups which allows for seamless integration with DDS divers. The complex evolution epitomizes the term “teamwork,” requiring the embarked NSW task unit and the submarine crew to integrate seamlessly to safely execute operations. Each unit has their specific role to support the DDS evolution. The submarine ship control party provides a stable platform for the diver and SEALs to conduct the SDV launch and recovery operations submerged. The end state of the training exercise is a finely tuned “team” that can conduct submarine-DDS operations overseas in support of the Global War on Terrorism. NAVY DIVERS Divers maintain equipment for the diving operations and assist the SEALs as they’re launched and recovered from the submarine. “We’re the underwater garage door openers,” explained Senior Chief Petty Officer (DSW/SW) William Turner from SDV Team 2, about the DDS they maintain and operate. Basically, they get things ready for the dive: everything from checking the batteries…to ensuring there’s enough air…to seeing that equipment is working properly. “We keep the water out of the submarine as we help the SEALs in and out of the hatch. We supervise the dive and are there in case of a medical emergency,” said Petty Officer 1st Class (DSW) Dan Laube. “It helps to integrate with the crew. We’re guests in someone else’s house. If we need something, they help us out – just like we help them when they need a hand.” NAVY SUBMARINERS U.S. nuclear-powered submarines have repeatedly demonstrated the ability to carry out special operations. During exercises with SEALs, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps special operations personnel, submarines have recovered personnel rappelling down from helicopters and personnel parachuting from fixed-wing aircraft to later launch them to conduct their missions. “The Divers and SEALs are part of our crew,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class (SS) Christian Livingston, a submariner from USS Dallas. “When the Divers and SEALs come aboard, everyone’s hot racking. But we make it work though...because that’s our job; that’s our mission.” Dallas is working with SEALs and Special Forces personnel. It was the first of the Los Angeles-class of fast attack submarines to deploy with the DDS. “There’s definitely camaraderie between us,” said Livingston. “We have the same mission...the same goal. What we do together has a profound, but silent, impact on the war on terrorism.” Chief Petty Officer Fliesen serves in the SUBLANT Public Affairs Office in Norfolk, Va. Published on navy.mil | by Chief Petty Officer (SW/AW) Dave Fliesen, USN
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 22:43:22 +0000
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