CAMP RIPLEY — Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2, headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia, will host the third iteration of ice dive training for Navy divers and explosive ordnance disposal technicians at Camp Ripley in Little Falls.
The course, which is run by qualified Navy divers and civilian instructors, teaches the fundamentals of operating on and diving under the ice.
“Ice diving is very unique and it can be hazardous without the proper training. Familiarization and training on all aspects must be conducted prior to operating in an arctic environment and that’s why civilian instructors are used who have a wealth of experience operating in these cold environments,” stated the unit’s public affairs office in a news release.
Extensive logistical and medical considerations, emergency evacuation procedures, and topside personnel considerations are also taken into account prior to execution. In the course, the divers are responsible for dive setup, which includes building tents, heating the tents and cutting holes in the ice before diving.
“Working with members of our other branches is a great experience for my team here on Ripley. It gives us greater perspective on joint cooperation all while helping to meet the training needs of the U.S. Navy divers. The mutual and combined effort of both organizations ensures overall readiness and success of our forces in any environment,” said Brig. Gen Lowell Kruse, Camp Ripley Senior Command.
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With the recent release of the Department of the Navy’s Strategic Blueprint for the Arctic, this annual training event has become relevant in showcasing how Navy divers are assisting in building a more capable arctic naval force.
Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 is part of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2, which oversees all East Coast explosive ordnance disposal and a mobile diving and salvage unit which are capable of providing skilled, capable, and combat-ready deployable forces around the globe to support a range of operations.
