74th Army Dive Detachment team inspects USACE Everglades’ infrastructure

Photo By Mark Rankin | Army Col. Brandon Bowman, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Commander presents command coins to Army Divers from the U.S. Army’s 74th Engineer Dive Detachment, the team recently conducted a series of underwater inspections and structural integrity checks while performing training exercises at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, locks and dam in the Everglades near an area known as the Sawgrass Recreation Park, in Weston, Fla., (USACE photo by Mark Rankin)  

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES

09.01.2026

Story by Mark Rankin 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District

WESTON, FLA – U.S. Army Engineer Divers assigned to the 74th Engineer Dive Detachment (EDD) conducted a series of underwater inspections and structural integrity checks in the Everglades while performing training exercises at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, locks, dams and spillway gates in the Everglades in Weston, Fla. The divers began inspections at a spillway gate SB-11 in a popular area known as the Sawgrass Recreation Park, there divers trained at depths of 5 to10 feet scouring beneath the surface for hidden cracks, debris and crevices that could potentially prevent gates from not properly working. “We appreciate the 74th EDD Army Dive team coming out and assisting us with these areas, as we call partnership inspections on some of our spillway’s gates and concrete critical structures here in South Florida,” said Jeff Fallin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, Deputy Chief of Operations Division. Fallin said the district operates and maintains spill gates throughout the Everglades and at five mission critical locks and dams along the nearby 154-mile Okeechobee Waterway, which allows safe passage of vessels through the middle of the state, from the Atlantic Ocean near Stuart to the Gulf of Mexico near Fort Myers. Not only does the training benefit soldiers, but it also allows Jacksonville District to inspect critical infrastructure and collect analytic data for potential scheduled maintenance in the future. Staff Sgt. Robert Blackman, the non-commissioned officer in charge of diving operations onsite, said the team accomplished their goal and are pleased to assist the Jacksonville District. “Our goal was to inspect spillways, concrete structures and provide a good, detailed inspection to the Army Corps of Engineers,” said Blackman. Staff Sgt. Talon Bender, an Army diver with the 74th EDD team said Safety is paramount and the team is excited to have this mission. “Safety is always paramount and diving is areas like the Everglades is always hazardous,” said Bender. “This training allows us to work in a variety of elements and environments.” Bender said the increased risk associated with water diving missions means the divers need a complete understanding of their environment, equipment, conduct rigorous inspections on the equipment, and have a complete understanding of the operation. Then, there’s the extra precaution of diving in the everglades. Especially directly inside the freshwater marshes and swamps of the Everglades National Park that are usually off limits to recreational scuba activity due to shallow water, low visibility, and heavy populations of alligators and other hidden creatures. Fallin said regular inspections help USACE determine if maintenance is necessary to repair aging and damaged infrastructure, in addition to removing unwanted debris, improving water flow and public safety. “It is very critical for us to maintain visibility of the conditions of our assets so we can prioritize funding for future maintenance,” said Fallin. The 74th Engineer Dive Detachment is a specialized U.S. Army deep-sea salvage and engineer diver unit. They provide underwater construction, salvage, port damage repair, port clearance, underwater demolition, underwater construction, infrastructure inspections, and force protection dives to support maritime and combat operations worldwide. Notable Activities · Innovation: Divers from the unit have pioneered tactical improvements, such as adapting hunting tree stands for pier stabilization during underwater work to counter difficult ocean tides. · Training and Competitions: The unit participates in rigorous physical and operational exercises, including hosting specialized events like the Diver Fitness Challenge to test endurance under extreme conditions. Other areas USACE Jacksonville maintains include: the St. Lucie Lock and Dam on the St. Lucie (C-44) Canal in Stuart, and the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam on the east side of Lake Okeechobee. The Julian Keen, Jr. Lock and Dam is located on the west side of Lake Okeechobee, along with the Ortona Lock and Dam and the W.P. Franklin Lock and Dam on the Caloosahatchee River (C-43 Canal). Federal authorities require the USACE to provide mission critical support in the areas of life sustaining missions, interstate commerce, national security, and emergency management. Some specific mission essential functions include operation of water utilities, operation and maintenance of locks and dams, and emergency management efforts. The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District on the district’s website at www.SAJ.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleDistrict and on Twitter athttp://www.twitter.com/JaxStrong

• Date Taken: 09.01.2026
• Date Posted: 09.03.2026 00:36
• Story ID: 573857
• Location: JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, US