U.S. Navy CTF 68 Tests Unit Interoperability in the Horn of Africa

Courtesy Photo | 210519-N-N0901-001 CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti (May 19, 2021) Chief Equipment Operator Joseph Rodriguez conducts Rapid Penetration Testing (RPT) on the seafloor. Underwater Construction Team ONE (UCT ONE), Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit EIGHT (EODMU 8), and Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron ELEVEN (MESF 11) are conducting assessments of the seafloor in Djibouti in support of future construction. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyson Stapleford)  

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI

05.19.2021

Courtesy Story

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11

By: Lt. j.g. William Pelger

Only 11 degrees north of the Equator, in the blistering heat of Djibouti, Underwater Construction Team ONE (UCT ONE) Construction Dive Detachment Charlie (CDD/C) worked side by side with Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit EIGHT (EODMU 8) and Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron ELEVEN (MESF 11) to assess future underwater construction in the area.

Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti was established in 2002 to support counter-terrorism efforts following the attacks on September 11th, 2001. The base is home to members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard which make up Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. Due to its strategic location and our adversaries’ interests in this location, this mission was especially important to the Navy.

UCT ONE conducted two of their many capabilities during this mission to Djibouti, hydrographic surveying, and rapid penetration testing (RPT) of the seafloor. The data collected from these operations will be used for future seafloor construction in the area of responsibility (AOR).
The Project Supervisor, Equipment Operator Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Moore, explained that having adjacent units helping with this mission was crucial to the success of the mission. UCT ONE used the boats from EODMU 8 for hydrographic survey operations and the boats from MESF 11 for RPT operations.

“This could not have been done without the support of our adjacent units,” said Moore, “Due to the limited timeframe and needing to bring as little equipment as possible having MESF 11 and EODMU 8 at our side proved that not only can we accomplish rapid fire missions but also work with other units to complete the task at hand.”

Despite the minimal equipment at hand, the Seabee Divers were successful in their efforts to obtain all of the data needed for the future construction in Djibouti. Their “Can Do” attitude and the efforts from their adjacent units within CTF 68 proved once again that they can do any job put in front of them.

UCT ONE is homeported in Little Creek, VA. UCT 1 is a specially trained and equipped unit within the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force that construct, inspect, repair, and maintain ports, ocean facilities, underwater systems, and general maritime infrastructure. UCT 1 is a key component of port damage repair operations during a disaster or contingency.

Commander, Task Force (CTF) 68 commands all Naval Expeditionary Forces in U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command areas of responsibility in direct support of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet Maritime and Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) Strategies and Maritime Support Plans.

• Date Taken: 05.19.2021
• Date Posted: 07.12.2021 09:05
• Story ID: 399320
• Location: CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ