Snow Crab Ex is a two-week train designed to check and consider U.S. Navy EOD capabilities in a simulated Arctic atmosphere and, finally, enhance Navy EOD’s fight effectiveness. In the course of the train, U.S. Navy EOD and Divers examined, evaluated, and refined techniques, tools and operations in an austere atmosphere.
“The Arctic area is present process a dramatic transformation, and our Navy EOD, diving and salvage forces are skilled and ready to deploy globally to assist of the Fleet commanders. To this finish, the EOD power will proceed to develop and evolve our capabilities to contribute to U.S. nationwide safety in competitors and battle,” stated Capt. Karl Haywood, commander, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2. “SnowCrabEx skilled Navy EOD, diving and salvage forces to raised function and survive within the difficult Arctic atmosphere. The coaching we conduct in austere environments simulates fight environments and accommodates inherent danger in order that our forces are ready to face any risk or problem.”
U.S. Navy forces should be capable to function within the Arctic as a result of “the USA is an Arctic nation, which instills duty for the stewardship and safety of this area,” in keeping with the White Home’s Nationwide Technique for the Arctic Area.
Throughout Snow Crab Ex, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Cell Unit (EODMU) 12 and Cell Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 exercised tactical management over EODMU 12 and EODMU 2, in addition to MDSU 2.
“Snow Crab Ex is a worthwhile train to concentrate on techniques and tools wanted to function in Arctic circumstances,” stated Cmdr. Garrett Pankow, commander, Cell Diving and Salvage Unit 2. “The Arctic presents difficult circumstances, and the teachings realized from Snow Crab Ex will enhance Navy EOD and cell diving and salvage groups’ readiness to function rapidly and effectively anyplace, anytime, together with chilly climate environments.”
Navy EOD cleared simulated unexploded ordnance, secured important infrastructure, realized important arctic survivability and mobility abilities, and successfully communicated between distributed working items in a coaching atmosphere, whereas additionally sustaining command and management (C2) of forces.
“The demolition ranges we usually have entry to don’t enable the identical vary of capabilities. Being in a brand new atmosphere, and the lifelike use of reside unexploded ordnance right here, constructed on our earlier coaching and is important to constructing confidence and competence for our platoons,” stated Explosive Ordnance Disposal Senior Chief Calvin Quinn, lead chief petty officer of EODMU 12. “Each place is completely different; each piece of ordnance is completely different. This train gave us real-life coaching on what we simulate on a regular basis.”
Navy Divers additionally efficiently accomplished ice dive coaching, accomplished arctic survivability and mobility coaching, and utilized specialised tools just like the VR Defender, an unmanned underwater automobile that gives Sailors elevated security and dwell time when inspecting or surveying the underwater atmosphere. The distinctive coaching atmosphere at Camp Ripley allowed Navy divers to increase their capabilities for diving and salvage to an arctic atmosphere.
“Ice diving operations at Snow Crab Ex gave us a novel alternative to get palms on, actual world expertise and data that you just simply can’t simulate in a pool,” stated Navy Diver 1st Class Keenan Foley, a diver assigned to EODMU 3. “The diver’s motto is, ‘Improvise, Adapt, Overcome.’ Diving underneath the ice launched new parts to adapt to throughout arctic salvage operations.”
The MDSU groups are uniquely certified to assist the sort of mission. Foley and the opposite divers used dry fits designed to guard divers in opposition to hypothermia whereas submerged in 30-degree water. The workforce additionally used a twin manifold/twin regulator system to make sure they may proceed to breathe from their tanks if considered one of their regulators froze over and a particular software that helped preserve everybody secure underwater.
The Minnesota Nationwide Guard offered air assist for parts of the train. Air Power EOD Technicians from the 148th Fighter Wing Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight offered assist to demolition coaching and operations.
The U.S. Navy routinely patrols on, above, beneath and round Arctic waters to make sure the safety of commerce and exhibit freedom of navigation. Workouts like Snow Crab Ex 24-1 enable our groups to evaluate their readiness, enhance their expertise within the area, take a look at new applied sciences, and advance our understanding of the Arctic atmosphere.
Different Navy Expeditionary Fight Command items that participated in Snow Crab Ex 24-1 included: EOD Expeditionary Assist Unit (EODESU) 2, Maritime Expeditionary Safety Squadron (MSRON) 4, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Assist Group (NAVELSG) and Navy Expeditionary Intelligence Command (NEIC). All taking part Navy items are headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story except for NEIC, headquartered on Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex and NAVELSG, headquartered on Naval Weapons Station Yorktown.
EODGRU 2 operates as a part of Navy Expeditionary Fight Command and supplies expert, succesful, and combat-ready deployable Navy EOD and Navy Diver forces across the globe to assist a variety of operations.
For the complete assortment of pictures from SnowCrabEx 24-1, and information about U.S. Navy EOD and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two, go to https://www.dvidshub.web/unit/EODG-2.
