Fleet Diving Unit Divers to Conduct Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Underwater Detonation, and Pouncer Operations during CLEAR HORIZON 16

Sixteen members from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) and the Naval Personnel Readiness will participate in mine countermeasure training CLEAR HORIZON 16, a multinational exercise held in the Republic of Korea from Oct. 16 to Oct. 23.

Divers from the navies of the Republic of Korea, United States, Philippines, Thailand, and Canada will gather in Busan and Chinhae, Korea for CLEAR HORIZON 16. During the course of the exercise, divers will conduct MCM training such as explosive ordinance disposal, underwater detonation, and pouncer operations, deployment of a diver from a helicopter to the water.

“Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific)’s participation in CLEAR HORIZON 16 will develop operational readiness and enhance contributions to international peace, security, and stability. Opportunities such as CLEAR HORIZON 16 increase the Royal Canadian Navy’s interoperability with Asia-Pacific allies while building upon Canada’s long-standing relationships with our international partners,” said RAdm. Art McDonald, Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific.

Leading up to CLEAR HORIZON 16, three members of the Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) will attend a mine countermeasures symposium in Seoul, Korea from Oct. 11 to Oct. 15. The symposium will spark informative discussions that will continue during the operational phase of the exercise.

Equipment to be used during CLEAR HORIZON 16 includes the Shark Marine underwater navigator, which can be used for detecting objects on the seabed floor and guide divers to targets in environments of zero visibility; and a Canadian Clearance Diver Apparatus, Canadian designed re-breather specific to MCM operations.

Canada and the Republic of Korea have a longstanding and friendly relationship along with a strong defence alliance dating back to Canada’s participation in the Korean War.

“Operations in the Asia-Pacific are crucial in establishing and developing the Royal Canadian Navy’s relationships with like-minded nations, including Korea. CLEAR HORIZON 16 reinforces the strategic importance of the Asia-Pacific region to Canada, of increasing international awareness in the area, and of operating alongside partner navies,” stated a Department of National Defence press release.

Featured image: Canadian Combat Dive Team Leader, Lieutenant Josh Bennett (left) and Dive Non-Commissioned Officer, Sergeant Nathan Miller, begin a search of a sunken ship off the coast of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii during RIMPAC 16 on July 16, 2016.