Naval Sea Salvage & Rescue Unit, "Winter Training of Ironmen" ... Bare-Body Sea Immersion

Achieving Peak Winter Rescue Operations Readiness
Through Intensive Training

Since January 20, Navy deep-sea divers have been conducting the 2026 winter cold-weather training in the Jinhae naval base area.

Approximately 70 deep-sea divers from the Sea Salvage & Rescue Unit (SSU) of the Naval Special Warfare Flotilla are participating in this training.

Deep-sea divers participating in the SSU winter training held at the Naval Search and Rescue Squadron in Changwon, Gyeongnam, are entering the water to swim with fins, a selection event for the Ironman Company competition.

This training, which began on Daehan, the coldest period of the year according to the lunar calendar, is designed for the divers to endure intensive exercises, overcome the frigid sea, and build the physical and mental strength required for the highest level of winter rescue operations readiness.

On the first day of training, January 20, the deep-sea divers conducted SCUBA proficiency exercises in the waters near the Jinhae naval base. They practiced searching for and rescuing a simulated drowning victim, while reviewing mission procedures.

From January 21 to 22, the highlight of this winter cold-weather training, the "Ironman Company Selection Event," is being held. First introduced during the 2022 winter training, this annual competition sees deep-sea divers from the three companies of the Sea Salvage & Rescue Unit competing for the honor of joining the Ironman Company.

The first round of the Ironman Company selection event took place on January 21 as an "underwater work skills assessment." At the basic diving training center of the Sea Salvage & Rescue Unit, divers wore Surface Supplied Diving System (SSDS) equipment and practiced tasks such as disassembling and assembling pipes and tying knots in low-visibility underwater conditions, mastering various skills needed to handle different underwater situations.

The second round of the Ironman Company selection event will be held on January 22, focusing on "company teamwork assessment." The deep-sea divers will begin with the SSU special calisthenics, which consists of 16 movements, followed by a group run (5 km), rubber boat paddling (2.5 km), and sea swimming with fins (1 km), competing for the best record in each event by company. Based on teamwork, each company will compete with pride and in good spirit. The winning Ironman Company will be awarded a championship plaque, prize money, and commendations.

On the final day of the winter cold-weather training, January 23, the deep-sea divers will strengthen their endurance with a long-distance group run (20 km) and reinforce their camaraderie by braving the freezing sea with bare-body immersion.

Lieutenant Colonel Park Youngnam, Commander of the Naval Special Warfare Flotilla's Rescue Operations Battalion, stated, "Navy deep-sea divers possess the physical strength, mental fortitude, and expertise to be deployed immediately even in harsh winter operational environments. Through relentless, high-intensity training that simulates real-life situations, we will continue to forge ourselves to protect the lives of our people and the safety of our comrades at sea."