[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence photo] This is the SSU's Ultimate Training

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Over 100 deep-sea divers (SSU) from the Navy's Maritime Rescue Unit, undertaking extreme cold weather survival training, warmed the bone-chilling Daehan (Great Cold) sea as they conducted realistic extreme cold weather training exercises.

The deep-sea divers warmed up with SSU special calisthenics and group running, then donned fins, masks, and goggles used in actual rescue operations before entering the water and swimming at full speed through designated sections.

The Maritime Rescue Unit SSU has proven outstanding operational capabilities and strong mental resilience in numerous domestic and international rescue missions. They risked their lives at the forefront of national disaster recovery efforts such as the Seohae Ferry disaster (1993), Sewol Ferry disaster (2014), Hungary cruise ship disaster (2019), and Coast Guard helicopter crash (2022). Last year, they were also deployed in the operation to recover debris from North Korean missiles that fell south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL).

The Maritime Rescue Unit and the 63rd Maritime Air Squadron cooperated to conduct an air rescue drill simulating a maritime distress situation. Upon receiving the training scenario, the air rescuers immediately boarded a Navy maritime maneuver helicopter (UH-60), arrived at the site, entered the water, and safely and swiftly rescued conscious survivors using a Rescue Strop and injured survivors using a Rescue Basket, following proper procedures.

The Ironman Company competition will also be held in Gyeonggi Province. A total of eight teams will participate: one team from each of the five companies of the Rescue Operations Battalion, one team from the Training Battalion, one team from the surface ship rescue vessel Tongyeong, and one team from the submarine rescue vessel Cheonghaejin. They will compete in three events: running, rubber boat paddling, and fin-mask swimming.