Below Sea Level

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Jayme Pastoric | Petty Officer 2nd Class Clessie Simmons, a Navy diver here, works underwater checking piers for suspicious objects prior to a ship porting at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Aug. 31, 2008. The Navy dive locker's mission statement is to run and operate a ready recompression chamber in case of an emergency, and to help Joint Task Force Guantanamo and port services if needed. Joint Task Force Guantanamo conducts safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants. The JTF conducts interrogation operations to collect strategic intelligence in support of the Global War on Terror and supports law enforcement and war crimes investigations. JTF Guantanamo is committed to the safety and security of American service members and civilians working inside its detention facilities.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

08.08.2008

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jayme Pastoric 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – From the ever present patrols of the Puerto Rico Army National Guard to the U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay base security and the U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit 307, Joint Task Force Guantanamo is well taken care of at all hours of the day.

But who looks out for our interests under the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea? The world's finest navy divers of Navy Dive Locker Guantanamo Bay are on call to protect Gitmo's piers, keep Coast Guard ships free from hazards below and to watch over JTF Troopers who enjoy recreational diving.

The dive locker's mission statement is to run and operate a ready recompression chamber in case of an emergency, and to help JTF and Port Services here if needed.

"There are a lot of JTF members who dive," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Clessie Simmons, a Navy Diver here. "Just in case diving accidents were to happen, we have the equipment and training to treat them."

Helping JTF Troopers who dive is only one way Navy divers help keep all personnel mission ready.

Simmons has routinely helped the Coast Guard maintain their mission readiness by assisting them in the removal of debris.

"My last dive job was with the Coast Guard," said Simmons. "I had to remove rope from one of their ships that had wrapped around one of the shafts."

Today, Simmons dives along the pier to look for any suspicious objects that might delay or prevent Coast Guard or Navy ships from docking in Guantanamo Bay. Security sweeps such as this are a force protection measure that the divers are happy to assist in.

"The best part about being a diver is diving. I hate sitting at a desk, and I always see or do something new each time I dive," said Simmons. "You never know what you will run into down there, a shark, gold, or a bowling ball. There is no routine and I like that."

• Date Taken: 08.08.2008
• Date Posted: 08.13.2008 15:29
• Story ID: 22463
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU