Navy Maritime Rescue Squadron Conducts Cold Winter Harsh Weather Field Training

Over 100 Deep-Sea Divers Participate, Rescue Operation Readiness Fully Prepared

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporters Jonggu Song and Seryeong Lee] The Navy Special Warfare Flotilla's Underwater Rescue Squadron is conducting a practical and intensive cold-weather training from the 17th to the 19th around the Jinhae naval port area, with over 100 deep-sea divers (SSU) participating.

This training, held ahead of 'Daehan,' which means 'Great Cold' among the 24 solar terms, is designed to maintain the highest level of rescue operation readiness to perform missions even in extreme conditions, and to cultivate the physical and mental abilities of deep-sea divers as well as foster teamwork.

On the first day of training, the 17th, the Underwater Rescue Squadron and the 63rd Maritime Air Squadron conducted a joint aerial rescue training. The exercise simulated a situation where a person was stranded at sea. Upon receiving the situation, the aerial rescuers immediately boarded the Navy maritime maneuver helicopter (UH-60) and arrived at the accident site, entering the water. Conscious stranded persons were rescued using a Rescue Strop, and those with physical injuries were rescued safely and swiftly using a Rescue Basket according to procedures.

Deep-sea divers are equipped with fins and goggles, jumping into the sea. [Image provided by the Naval Operations Command]

Since rescue operations at sea cause significant physical exhaustion, on the 18th, training was conducted to reinforce basic physical strength and mental toughness. The deep-sea divers performed SSU special calisthenics and group running, followed by swimming at full speed in designated sea sections wearing equipment such as fins (FIN) and masks (MASK) used during actual rescue operations.

On the 19th, an Ironman Company competition will be held to enhance teamwork. Teams of five members each will participate, including one team from each of the five rescue operation battalions, one team from the education and training battalion, and one team each from the surface ship rescue vessel Tongyeong and the submarine rescue vessel Cheonghaejin, totaling eight teams. They will compete in three events: running, rubber boat paddling, and fin-mask swimming, engaging in friendly competition.

The Ironman Company competition records the completion time of all team members in each event to rank the teams. The battalion with the highest combined score across the three events will be awarded the honor and prize of the Ironman Company.

Lieutenant Colonel Su-il Jeon, commander of the Special Warfare Flotilla's Rescue Operation Battalion, who is leading the training, said, “The purpose of the cold-weather training is to develop strong mental and physical endurance so that deep-sea divers can fulfill their fundamental mission of protecting the lives and safety of the people even in extreme conditions.” He added, “We will continue to maintain rescue operation readiness with a sense of mission to run wherever the people need us and protect their lives and safety.”