CTF-68 despatched divers assigned to Underwater Development Crew ONE (UCT 1), to Georgia from mid-September to the top of October to work with Georgian Coast Guard divers to start port safety infrastructure enhancements in Batumi and Poti. The challenge provides new safety features to the ports and is a component of a bigger maritime area consciousness program that gives U.S. help to the Georgian Coast Guard in coordination with complimentary NATO and Allies and companions efforts.
The port safety enhancement challenge required the divers and Georgian Coast Guard personnel to finish a variety of duties involving small boat operations, diving, underwater concrete placement, hydrographic and topographic surveying, and use of underwater hydraulic instruments.
“Coming to Georgia and dealing with the Georgia Coast Guard has been a incredible expertise,” mentioned Chief Gear Operator, Joey Rodriguez, Grasp Diver, assigned to UCT 1 Dive Detachment Bravo. “We’re very excited to go to Georgia and expertise the tradition and hospitality of our new pals.”
Throughout their deployment to Georgia, the Seabee divers had been additionally capable of help with growth a brand new European Command Humanitarian Mine Motion (HMA) program with the Georgian Coast Guard and the Georgian Special Forces Maritime Detachment (MARDET). This program will construct the Georgian functionality to reply to explosive threats inside Georgian maritime territory. The Seabee divers performed a evaluation of the Georgian Coast Guard divers coaching, tools and upkeep applications as a way to make suggestions on how the brand new HMA program ought to progress.
Since a floating sea mine exploded close to a seaside in Batumi final February, the Georgian Coast Guard has prioritized constructing the capability and functionality to take care of this new risk to maritime commerce and public security.
“We now have an acute give attention to constructing the general Georgia Coast Guard functionality, particularly the power to reply to drifting sea mines,” mentioned Captain Ramaz Papidze, commander of the Georgian Coast Guard. “We intend to extend the amount of divers throughout the Georgian Coast Guard and improve our Maritime Area Consciousness. We’re very joyful to host the U.S. Navy Divers right here in Georgia once more.”
The Black Sea ports of Poti and Batumi are essential ports to U.S. sixth Fleet as Georgia performs a crucial function in sustaining safety and stability within the Black Sea and is a precious associate on this area. “The work accomplished by UCT 1 was nothing wanting excellent and is symbolic of our robust relationship with the Georgian Coast Guard” mentioned Mr. Steve Bower, U.S. Maritime Advisor to the Georgia Border Police. “The staff built-in seamlessly with the Georgian Coast Guard and overcame many challenges to make this mission successful.”
CTF-68 has performed quite a few workout routines with each the Georgian Coast Guard and Georgian Army over the past yr, together with the constructing of a brand new intermodal railhead challenge on the Port of Poti which permits the Georgian Ministry of Protection to distribute cargo and heavy tools throughout the Caucasus area.
“What the Seabees in Poti have been doing with my engineers is unbelievable” mentioned Lt. Col. Levan Shubiti, commanding officer of Fight Engineer Battalion West, Republic of Georgia Army. “We’re very excited to have a possibility to be taught new development abilities and associate with the U.S. Navy Seabees.”
Underwater Development Crew 1 is ahead deployed to execute development, humanitarian help, and theater safety cooperation within the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and sixth Fleet areas of operation in direct help of CTF-68. CTF-68, headquartered in Rota, Spain, instructions all Navy Expeditionary Forces in U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of accountability and is liable for offering EOD operations, naval development, expeditionary safety, and theater safety efforts in direct help of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa and U.S. sixth Fleet.
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has solid strategic relationships with allies and companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of accountability. U.S. sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces via the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations.
