Naval Station Guantanamo Bay dive locker enables training capabilities

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Blake Midnight | Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shane Tuck poses during underwater photography training off the coast of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Expeditionary Combat Camera's underwater photo team conducts annual training to hone its divers' specialized skill set and ensure valuable support of Department of Defense activities worldwide. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Blake Midnight/Released)  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

11.30.2015

Courtesy Story

Expeditionary Combat Camera

It’s called the pearl of the Antilles. Guantanamo Bay’s crystal-clear waters offer a wide range of possibilities for commands seeking cost-effective training grounds for diving.

Chief Navy Diver Julius McManus, Command Diving Officer for Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) says the GTMO facility is fully equipped to support dive-training operations.

The dive locker is outfitted with a MK-16 charging
station, a MK-III Lightweight Dive System, and a Recompression Chamber Facility 5000 that can provide 100% O2 and 50/50 N2/O2. Additionally, the locker is capable of supporting SCUBA, ships husbandry, and light salvage operations.

“GTMO’s geographic location allows divers to take advantage of 300 days of ideal weather conditions, diving in waters that range from 45 to 1,000 feet in depth, less than a 15-minute commute from the dock,” says McManus.

U.S. Navy manned Port Operations has100% control of recreational boat traffic, allowing military divers open access to secured waterways and providing an added sense of safety to the dive side.

In addition to ideal diving conditions, the base goes on to offer several facilities that appeal to commands in the planning phase of a training evolution, such as hundreds of rooms through Navy Gateway Inn and Suites, a fully outfitted dining facility and a level four treatment center at Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay.

In comparison to traditional, more commonly used dive training locations, it is significantly more cost effective to send divers to train in GTMO, says McManus. On average, diving commands could save roughly $20,000.00 per week in training expenses because of lower per diem and lodging costs; as well as lower airline expenses by utilizing Navy Air Logistics Office (NALO) flights vice commercial airlines or convoys.

In addition to NALO flights, base air operations include helicopter capabilities with a maximum ceiling of 4,000 ft. for water jumps and fast roping; as well as an airfield capable of handling wide-body jet airliners and strategic airlift aircraft.

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is host to several weapons ranges, a demolition range, and offers the possibility of supporting underwater demolition operations.

The GTMO Dive Locker stands as a willing and able participant to commands of all branches seeking to develop their divers; especially in times where divers of all branches must seek to streamline their forces while maintaining the same standard of proficiency. McManus says, “Our schedules are completely open”.
For more information about the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Dive Locker contact NDC Julius McManus at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 11.30.2015
• Date Posted: 11.30.2015 14:35
• Story ID: 183113
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU