Army divers aid in Cambodia de-mining

Courtesy Photo | Two Cambodian Mine Action Center divers descend with blacked-out masks simulating zero-visibility conditions during dive training off the coast of Koh Rong, Cambodia, during a 36-day event focused on building their in-water confidence as well as establishing their basic unit sustainment programs.  

KOH RONG, CAMBODIA

08.01.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Gaelen Lowers 

8th Theater Sustainment Command

KOH RONG, Cambodia – The remnants of war still exist throughout the Pacific theater’s waterways. Unexploded ordnance and sunken munitions line the rivers and streams frequently traveled by military and civilian alike.

Nearly a year ago, Army divers from the 7th Engineer Dive Detachment, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, certified equipped, trained and certified Cambodian Mine Action Center divers on military diving protocol and salvage diving operations.

This year the U.S. Army divers are back in Cambodia as the on-going partnership between the two nations continues.

“This is the second phase of our training with the CMAC dive team,” said Capt. Robert Meyer, the commander of the 7th. “This 36-day event focused on building their in-water confidence as well as establishing their basic unit sustainment programs.”

After the U.S. trainers covered diving physiology, dive medicine, and troop leading procedures, the team culminated the training with a two-day exercise. The final exercise challenged not only the CMAC divers’ underwater searching and recovery proficiency, but also incorporated aspects of their bomb disposal training.

“Many of Cambodia’s waterways hold sunken ordinance from past conflicts which greatly endanger the local population,” said Meyer. “Providing this training and building the CMAC dive team capability is a significant step towards removing these dangerous devices and ensuring safer living conditions for the people of Cambodia.”

Both countries benefited from the training. The 7th EDD was able to revisit training techniques and interact with a culture foreign to them, while the CMAC divers continued to build upon a program that replicates U.S. military diving standards.

“Overall this has been a really great experience,” said Pfc. Lincoln Howell, a second class diver with the 7th EDD. “This training has really challenged me to know my craft well. We have to use different teaching techniques and break down the language barrier which sometimes requires creativity on the spot and a lot of patience.”

The mission in Cambodia supporting CMAC has enduring effects, and will ultimately help save lives.

Meyer said, “My team considers it a true honor to train and develop the professional members of the CMAC dive team.”

• Date Taken: 08.01.2014
• Date Posted: 08.12.2014 22:18
• Story ID: 139165
• Location: KOH RONG, KH