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MINE WARFARE AND DIVING
VOLUME 9 AUGUST 1998
FOST MPV
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EDITORIAL STAFF MINEWARFARE Sponsor: Cdre. J Hance. Managing Editor: Lt, Cdr. G. J. Landrock Editorial Offices: Minewarfare Section. AND HMS Dryad, Southwick, DIVING Hampshire, Telephone: 01705 224782 THE MAGAZINE OF THE Publisher: Robert Smith, MINEWARFARE AND DIVING Design: Sean Shelley, COMMUNITY The Graphics Media Centre, HMS Dryad. Tel 01705 284239 VOLUME 9 AUGUST 1998 EDITORIAL
CONTENTS Welcome to the August 1998 Volume 9 of the MAD Magazine. Foreword by Cdr John Murphie 1 Superintendent of Diving's Round Up 2 Much has changed in the world of Minewarfare and The Manpower Equation 3 Diving since the last edition hit your desk. We again have a 80m diving capability. a proven tropical Diving Equipment Update 4 capability in the SANDOWN Class. a new CDRE MFP, Diving in the Royal Navy Reserve 7 S of D. MCM. 2 and 3 and of course SDR, but more of CDBA Conversion 8 that in the Foreword. CPP Blade Change Using Inflatable Habitat 9 One thing that has not changed is your enthusiasm HABITAT Speak 14 for avoiding submitting articles for this edifying tome, 15 Bravery Award - AB(D) Murray at least until the very last minute! This edition has been Surf Zone / Very Shallow Water Divin 16 produced almost entirely in house by SMOPS Exercise Strong Resolve 98. The MCMTA Graphics Section. It will continue to be published only annually but the content and distribution have Perspective 21 increased. Despite this, it has regretably still been 27 Exercise Analysis necessary to edit out some of the pictures and visual Message from SOMFP 30 aids provided in order to remain within budget. MW and the JMC 32 Thanks are due to Cdre J Hance ADC for the use of The Move Under FOST 33 his Graphics Section, to Cdr John Murphie for writing 34 FOST - MCM Training the Foreward which includes his hot off the press first STANAVFORCHAN - A Coxswains' View 36 impressions of the SDR and to all of you who did take The Swedish Experience 38 the trouble to pick up a quill and inform the rest of us what is happening in your area of the branch. Farewell to the 2641 40 41 IIP Explained I now hand over to Lt Cdr Graham Collins as Managing Baby Talk 42 Editor and hope that for the next edition the same Adventurous Training 44 quality of articles will be forthcoming. For the last two years we have heard much from the various Drive Navy 46 Headquarters so perhaps next year we could hear 48 Canadian Exchange more from the coal face. after all it is there that the Postcard from Abbey Wood 51 real business is done. So pick up your pen and start TAG Endurance Trial 55 scriod.inc. dosing date for next year's edition will be APRIL 3Citi 1999. MWC 57 Clearance Diving Tactical Development 58 Incoming from La Spezia 59 That Blessed B I 6" CONISTON Chronicle 52 Letters to the Editor 77-1 Feedback Leaving the RN Caption Competition ...... -73E.-:• Z.:
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FOREWORD
Foreword by
COMMANDER JDD MURPHIE ROYAL NAVY MINEWARFARE DIVING AND EOD DESK OFFICER. DIRECTORATE OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
I have been in post in the Ministry of Defence for 2 years ostensibly acting as the central staff advisor on Minewarfare Diving and EOD. In reality I am to persuade all with whom I come into contact that our three separate and complimentary skills provide vital enabling functions and are worth a continuing place in the UK force structure.
The Strategic Defence Review has had a hard look at how UK MCM (by MCM I include minewarfare, diving and EOD) is conducted and has endorsed our role. In addition further encouragement can be found in the emphasis on flexible, joint rapidly deployable forces, this is a direction in which MCM is already moving. Past crises have seen unsophisticated mines disrupt sophisticated operations and the momentum generated within the operation has been lost unless (or until) MCM is included in and combined, from which lessons are drawn the force package. We have therefore had to be and applied. This in turn will improve tactics and flexible, joint and rapidly deployable however, bolster procurement bids. there is more potential for us to realise in this area.
To effectively contribute to a deployable force I In short. SDR is good news. it points a way ahead see the emphasis continuing towards MCM and there is a distinct, challenging and systems which, once on task, can cover the necessary role for UK MCM. ground much more quickly than currently. Complementing that, the continued efforts into On a different tack, it has been interesting to note MCM in shallow water will be a very necessary letters in a recent edition questioning the future capability to have. particularly with new LPDs direction for our branches. This magazine should entering service. There will be many debates on become a place where questions can be asked what sort of shape future MCM systems will take: and answers prompted, policy should not be a will they be housed in their own vessels or be secret, the only stupid question is one that goes bolted on to other ships as necessary? Whatever unasked. the outcome the experts will be required to procure, operate, interpret and advise on MCM.
The personnel measures announced will help considerably in retaining and recruiting; filling the gaps that so quickly snowball in ships and teams reducing morale and OC.
Finally a warning. Resting on past successes will not help prove the case for future equipment even with an SDR endorsed role. There is still a need for high quality exercises, preferably joint
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SUPERINTENDENT OF DIVING'S ROUND UP
By Commander D Hilton MNI Royal Navy - Although there are a lot of very exciting developments, Superintendent of . Diving they do require manpower. If I was to state my one overriding problem area, affecting readiness and My aim for this issue of the MAD magazine, is to capability, it would be manpower, particularly at the update you on how the management of the Clearance Able Diver Rate. I have therefore included a Manpower Diving branch has changed and mention some of the article in this issue. more important issues. I am convinced that with the introduction of Investors I thought a Fleet Diving Squadron (FDS) HQ article in People (IIP) used primarily as a business was appropriate, with a brief overview of the recently management tool it will improve our business formed Fleet Diving Squadron including issues, such performance further by developing a more highly as Manpower, EOD/IEDD, UWE and diving equipment. skilled and flexible workforce. The aim of IIP is that Firstly, having been away from the diving branch for 3 what people can do - and are motivated to do - years, I was most impressed by all the good work matches what the organisation needs them to do. The and changes my predecessor, Cdr John Arrow FDS is formally committed to the IIP process, with achieved over his time as Superintendent of Diving accreditation planned by Dec 98.(A full explanation (SofD). of IIP is contained in Cdr Wellborn's article on page.43)
I am equally excited by the potential for work that In summary, it is encouraging to see so much progress needs to be done in terms of equipment. concepts being made across the whole spectrum of military and in managing a new developing organisation so diving. There is a new military poignancy to our role that Diving, Underwater Engineering (UWE) and EOD, and as budgets become tighter the importance of fulfills its proper role and integrates with other areas naval diving, in particular with Underwater of warfare. Engineering, is becoming more widely recognised. The long awaited new equipment is coming into FDS - Introduction service and a more efficient management structure has been developed. The management changes will You should all be aware that the Fleet Diving Squadron help us focus and maintain our capabilities with a (FDS) was formed in Mar 98. At the beginning of 1996, leaner budget whilst retaining the flexibility to meet most Royal Navy diving and EOD forces came under wide ranging tasks. Flag Officer Surface Flotilla type command. Those which did not, the Diving Elements in Hong Kong and It should be noted that in the current financial climate Gibraltar, came under his functional authority for where budgets are scrutinised and tasks justified at procedures and standards, exercised in turn through all levels, the need to look constructively at saving Commodore MFP and SofD. At the same time, and measures, however small, is a constant necessity. as a result of the demise of the Area Flag Officers, the former Port Clearance Diving Units were amalgamated Every branch in the RN has its problems; some are into 2 Area Diving Groups, which with the Fleet Diving worse than others. I saw this in my last job and whilst Group, came under SofD as a Squadron Commander. we have several challenges ahead our future With the increasing demands for diving and EOD skills prospects are very encouraging for all involved in to support the Fleet, amphibiosity, Special Forces, Military Diving. My HQ Staff will continue to welcome MCM and forward engineering, this change was timely your invaluable inputs and give guidance on all related and entirely appropriate. subjects.
There are 3 Diving Groups under Cdre MFP, made up I look forward to diving with you in the not too distant of a total of 7 Units each led by a LtCdr or Lt MCD. future. Each Unit is specialised to some extent, but is largely Safe diving. able to provide mutual support to other Units, to maintain a broad level of experience, and to compensate for manning shortages and short term over-tasking. One of the key benefits of bringing the 3 Groups under single FOSF type command at the beginning of 1996, was this ability to command and coordinate the 7 Units easily to a single purpose when required. This change has enabled us to improve our effectiveness and flexibility as part of the Surface Flotilla.
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up to Dec 99: 99: Dec to up Continued... Continued...
deduce that something like the following will happen happen will following the like something that deduce
If you follow the logic from the tables above we can can we above tables the from logic the follow you If
than the best: best: the than
Let's wait at least a year before revising estimates. estimates. revising before year a least at wait Let's
years several things have conspired to make us less less us make to conspired have things several years
on the figures of only one or two courses. courses. two or one only of figures the on
So we are not the worst for advancement but over the the over but advancement for worst the not are we So
see how it works out, but a word of caution; do not rely rely not do caution; of word a but out, works it how see
new entry training factors. We shall all have to wait and and wait to have all shall We factors. training entry new
From 105 ABs we need only 10 WOs. WOs. 10 only need we ABs 105 From
rate is an estimate based on both previous years and and years previous both on based estimate an is rate
rank or rate), Look again at the table at the beginning. beginning. the at table the at again Look rate), or rank
sideways entry and the new direct entry diver. The pass pass The diver. entry direct new the and entry sideways
are going to make it to the top regardless of branch (or (or branch of regardless top the to it make to going are
On the courses above there will be both the usual usual the both be will there above courses the On
is also 8.5 yrs, Also remember that only a small number number small a only that remember Also yrs, 8.5 also is
LSteward(SM)is 8.5 yrs, LH(AH) is 6.5 yrs, LWEM(R)(SM) LWEM(R)(SM) yrs, 6.5 is LH(AH) yrs, 8.5 LSteward(SM)is
Total for all courses = 39 39 = courses all for Total
Average waiting time for a B13 for LS(D) is 6.5 years; years; 6.5 is LS(D) for B13 a for time waiting Average
Notes:Course 120 not yet planned in detail. detail. in planned yet not 120 Notes:Course
PO(Steward)(SM) is also 7 Yrs, PO(AH) is 9 years! years! 9 is PO(AH) Yrs, 7 also is PO(Steward)(SM)
time for a B13 for PO(D) is 6 years; PO(SE) is 7 years, years, 7 is PO(SE) years; 6 is PO(D) for B13 a for time
Cse 120 (ends 10/99) 12 Students 9 Passes expected expected Passes 9 Students 12 10/99) (ends 120 Cse
rate, but it is by no means the worst - average waiting waiting average - worst the means no by is it but rate,
Cse 119 (ends 11/6/99) 12 Students 8 Passes expected expected Passes 8 Students 12 11/6/99) (ends 119 Cse
The diving branch does not have a good advancement advancement good a have not does branch diving The
Cse 118 (ends 5/3/99) 12 Students 9 Passes expected expected Passes 9 Students 12 5/3/99) (ends 118 Cse
Cse 117 (ends 13/11/98) 12 Students 8 Passes expected expected Passes 8 Students 12 13/11/98) (ends 117 Cse
extended in service. service. in extended
Cse 116 (ends 3/7/98) 6 Students 5 Passes expected expected Passes 5 Students 6 3/7/98) (ends 116 Cse
effect how our branch is manned, advanced and and advanced manned, is branch our how effect
and one or two other, whole Navy, long term factors, all all factors, term long Navy, whole other, two or one and
expected: expected:
Branch the PO(D) - the man we need for the sea billets) billets) sea the for need we man the - PO(D) the Branch
Able Seaman (Divers) [17 weeks] currently running or or running currently weeks] [17 (Divers) Seaman Able
expected to leave), 'driving Rate' (varies but in our our in but (varies Rate' 'driving leave), to expected
People are also joining. These are the DDS courses for for courses DDS the are These joining. also are People
rates to build 'the pyramid'), wastage rate, (the number number (the rate, wastage pyramid'), 'the build to rates
size, Rate ratio (the number of people at different ranks/ ranks/ different at people of number (the ratio Rate size,
AB AB -12 -12
This is a more complicated problem because Branch Branch because problem complicated more a is This LH LH -6 -6
PO PO -12 -12
CPO CPO ADVANCEMENT ADVANCEMENT -5 -5
their terminal (TX) date: date: (TX) terminal their meantime please bear with us. us. with bear please meantime
are the numbers leaving up until Dec 1999, based on on based 1999, Dec until up leaving numbers the are take probably two years to reach equilibrium. In the the In equilibrium. reach to years two probably take
a dynamic organisation. For the Diving Branch these these Branch Diving the For organisation. dynamic a In short, the numbers should slowly get better but it will will it but better get slowly should numbers the short, In
People are always joining and leaving the Navy; we are are we Navy; the leaving and joining always are People
remember! remember!
Totals Totals 275 275 262 262
lot to do they wouldn't be there - we're short of ABs, ABs, of short we're - there be wouldn't they do to lot
AB AB 119 119 105 105
if the DDS had people available for 17 weeks with not a a not with weeks 17 for available people had DDS the if
LH LH 73 73 72 72
17 week course does not appear by magic wand - and and - wand magic by appear not does course week 17
PO PO 47 47 49 49
be found and facilities and resources budgeted for. A A for. budgeted resources and facilities and found be
CPO CPO 26 26 26 26
saying 'run another course.' The teaching staff have to to have staff teaching The course.' another 'run saying
WO WO 10 10 10 10
late 1999 or early 2000 but it is not as simple as just just as simple as not is it but 2000 early or 1999 late Actually Borne Borne Actually Bearing Bearing
hoping that an additional course can be run probably probably run be can course additional an that hoping
Branch Manpower numbers look like this: this: like look numbers Manpower Branch The shortage is not good but is containable. We are are We containable. is but good not is shortage The
Let me begin with numbers. As of the 1 April, the Diving Diving the April, 1 the of As numbers. with begin me Let
A shortfall of 10 ABs will still remain. remain. still will ABs 10 of shortfall A
MANNING MANNING
the course there will be a net gain of only 4 ABs. ABs. 4 only of gain net a be will there course the
problems; manning and advancement. advancement. and manning problems; If 23 ABs are promoted, 12 leave and 39 pass pass 39 and leave 12 promoted, are ABs 23 If * *
made by the MOD seem peculiar. We have two two have We peculiar. seem MOD the by made
article why it LOOKS so bad and why some decisions decisions some why and bad so LOOKS it why article can be rated LH. LH. rated be can
complicated subject. I am going to try to explain in this this in explain to try to going am I subject. complicated * * If 17 LHs are promoted and 6 leave, 23 ABs ABs 23 leave, 6 and promoted are LHs 17 If
This is an emotive and, as I have discovered, a a discovered, have I as and, emotive an is This
can be promoted PO. PO. promoted be can
THE MANPOWER EQUATION EQUATION MANPOWER THE * * If 5 POs are promoted and 12 leave, 17 LHs LHs 17 leave, 12 and promoted are POs 5 If
Deputy Superintendent of of Superintendent Deputy 2: 2: promotion to CPO during 1998. 1998. during CPO to promotion
By Lt Cdr Mike Allen Allen Mike Cdr Lt By * * If 5 CPOs leave 5 POs can be selected for for selected be can POs 5 leave CPOs 5 If
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THE MANPOWER EQUATION
Sideways Entry. For the last 15 years everyone who Educationally for Warrant Officer (QEWO). This increases joined was about 24 or 25, some even older. Starting a the pool of candidates for promotion and thus improves career at that age always puts people behind their the chances of those further down the ladder moving up. contemporaries. In summary, we are short of ABs but the situation will Direct Entry. Up until 15 years ago we used to take Direct improve, albeit slowly. Not everyone will achieve Entries. Those DE are now in the WO/CPO and PO billets. advancement to the rate they would like but there IS They are young (ish), and still have some years to serve. movement and although competition is stiff, those who work hard and stick with it will be rewarded. Drawdown. The writing was on the Berlin Wall as they were pulling it down. The Armed forces had to be cut. The Final Point. Some of you have complained to me that you Diving Branch shrank. Many SR jobs were cut and people have insufficient time left to achieve PO and then serve the made redundant, recruiting was significantly reduced and full two years for a POs pension. Firstly, with fifth fives being the pool of sideways entry candidates began to dry up. introduced for POs some will achieve it. Secondly, after 12 The SRs remaining were young (mostly Direct Entries!) months you get the pension of the rate you are in on with plenty of time still to serve. The JRs on the other hand termination at a pro rata basis, i.e. PO for 18 months will were not offered redundancy. They were expected to get 18/24ths of the full POs pension plus 6/24ths of a LH reduce by the process of 'natural wastage'. (About the pension. same number of people leave whatever job every year, regardless of how well paid, easy or challenging it is. Politics, I hope this helps explain a little of the mysteries of branch showbusiness, sport. Everywhere, it happens.) But in some size and advancement. Over the next 2 years advancement branches they did not leave in quite the expected numbers. and manning will improve. The Diving Branch was one of them, because
Contentment. It sounds naff but being a diver is one of the DIVING EQUIPMENT UPDATE best jobs in the Navy. Its demanding, challenging and interesting. We go to places few others see and work. The From the piling Inspectorate: Regulating Branch does not work with the Police as often as we do, for instance. We work in small, close knit Units Here are the latest developments in the seemingly fuzzy (almost 'families') where lives can depend on the actions world of equipment procurement!. Believe it or not there of each of us. When things go wrong we all apply ourselves are a large number of dedicated people beavering away in 100%, regardless of rank, race, colour, creed, religion or the backround, finding the money and then the right anything else. If a `buddy' is in trouble; we go for it. Difficult equipment to meet the military requirement. to achieve in 'civvy street'. Outcome; most of you want to Because we are spending Public Monies, it sometimes stay. Touching, but true! takes years to develop and sustain the justification for new or even replacement of old equipment. The last two years So if advancement is slow why do we still offer 20E and has seen the culmination of this effort. 'fifth fives'. The answer to this is long term planning. The plots run by the MOD look up to 10 years ahead. That is, in 6, 8, 10 year's time we need a structure that has both experience and youth. So there will always be a proportion of CPOs on 20E and, in the future, POs on fifth fives. There will also be about the same number leaving time expired, some having completed 20E, some a fifth five and the rest their normal engagement. It does not significantly affect the number of people leaving year on year. The promotion ratio remains the same. In fact, it is better than that because the people selected are GENERALLY Warrant Officer candidates and may be promoted out of the CPOs roster early. Now, having spoken to members of The Boards' I must emphasise there are no 'rules' to selections for promotion, 20E or fifth five. BUT, with so many good candidates the Board usually comes down to four or five with only one or two selections to make. Weighting may then be applied to those who have completed POLO and are confirmed. Account may also be taken of those Qualified 4 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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recreational diving equipment market in order that we can can we that order in market equipment diving recreational contravenes H&SE guidelines and it's replacement, replacement, it's and guidelines H&SE contravenes
is an ongoing commitment to monitor the commercial and and commercial the monitor to commitment ongoing an is investigated. In demolition's the lead sheath in CLC CLC in sheath lead the demolition's In investigated.
budget bidding, negotiation and equipment scrutiny. There There scrutiny. equipment and negotiation bidding, budget of the developing threat and potential replacements replacements potential and threat developing the of
fact, they are the culmination of many years of planning, planning, of years many of culmination the are they fact, performance of of performance LMDE LMDE is also being examined in light light in examined being also is
incidental, falling as they have within the last 18 months. In In months. 18 last the within have they as falling incidental, with remote initiation and controllable lift. The The lift. controllable and initiation remote with
These achievements are considerable and perhaps co- perhaps and considerable are achievements These resulting bag will give units a 500/1000Kg lift capability capability lift 500/1000Kg a units give will bag resulting
Mine Lifting Bag Bag Lifting Mine is currently going out to tender. The The tender. to out going currently is
of the projects under curent consideration. consideration. curent under projects the of surface/beach and to this end an improved improved an end this to and surface/beach Enclosed Enclosed
lighting, underwater navigation and sub tugs are just a few few a just are tugs sub and navigation underwater lighting, require us to get the ordnance from the seabed to the the to seabed the from ordnance the get to us require
replacement dry suits, direct feed suit-inflation, under-water under-water suit-inflation, feed direct suits, dry replacement to the operator in the near future. Much of the above above the of Much future. near the in operator the to
Ancillary Items Items Ancillary Personal dive light, lost diver markers, markers, diver lost light, dive Personal software with the aim of having a useable tool available available tool useable a having of aim the with software
and major improvements are being made to the the to made being are improvements major and
communication with the diving supervisor. supervisor. diving the with communication progressing after a somewhat unfortunate few years years few unfortunate somewhat a after progressing
currently on trial, the primary aim to give all air divers, verbal verbal divers, air all give to aim primary the trial, on currently The computerised EOD database, database, EOD computerised The ASH, ASH, is now now is
Future Equipments Equipments Future Through Water Communications is is Communications Water Through a possibility of real time X-Ray further down the line. line. the down further X-Ray time real of possibility a
and developing systems within the next 5 years with with years 5 next the within systems developing and
Fleet. Fleet. should see replacements for both the X-Ray sources sources X-Ray the both for replacements see should
significantly to the Service diver capability in support of the the of support in capability diver Service the to significantly progressed for both. A rolling replacement programme programme replacement rolling A both. for progressed
works extremely well, SDG can confirm, and adds adds and confirm, can SDG well, extremely works of their useful life and replacements are being being are replacements and life useful their of
a CPP propeller and allow a blade change in the dry. It It dry. the in change blade a allow and propeller CPP a Inspector Inspector and and Whale/Andrex Whale/Andrex are coming to the end end the to coming are
Underwater Habitat Habitat Underwater The habitat is designed to fit around around fit to designed is habitat The acceptable. The in service X-Ray equipments, equipments, X-Ray service in The acceptable.
on large ordnance where removal or high order is not not is order high or removal where ordnance large on
air panel and underwater lighting, is iminent. iminent. is lighting, underwater and panel air and promises to be a valuable EOD tool, especially especially tool, EOD valuable a be to promises and
review and procurement of sub-systems, such as the HP HP the as such sub-systems, of procurement and review predecessor, trepanner, it is capable of much more more much of capable is it trepanner, predecessor,
range of equipment under the SSDE umbrella is under under is umbrella SSDE the under equipment of range primarily as a case entry tool but unlike its its unlike but tool entry case a as primarily
Heliox 18 Bandmask and Superlite 17 helmets. The whole whole The helmets. 17 Superlite and Bandmask 18 Heliox (ACE) (ACE) is a hydro abrasive cutting system designed designed system cutting abrasive hydro a is
served us well for many years, has been replaced with with replaced been has years, many for well us served be trialled in Jun 98. 98. Jun in trialled be Abrasive Cutting Equipment Equipment Cutting Abrasive
Surface Supplied Diving Equipment SSDE. KMB 10, which which 10, KMB SSDE. Equipment Diving Supplied Surface general EOD and the other specific to MIE, are due to to due are MIE, to specific other the and EOD general
SDDE has been rationalised and will become become will and rationalised been has SDDE SDDE SDDE to modern ordnance and two new toolsets, one for for one toolsets, new two and ordnance modern to
range of of range EOD tools tools EOD is now outdated and not suited suited not and outdated now is
extremely encouraging. encouraging. extremely remoted to the command post/vehicle. Our current current Our post/vehicle. command the to remoted
courses are underway and feedback from the Fleet is is Fleet the from feedback and underway are courses temperature gradient sensor and a chemical sensor sensor chemical a and sensor gradient temperature
and renamed to better describe it's military use. Conversion Conversion use. military it's describe better to renamed and suite of sensors including cameras, stethoscope, stethoscope, cameras, including sensors of suite
This is the old DSSCCA, fitted with a Stab Jacket Jacket Stab a with fitted DSSCCA, old the is This SABA SABA due to arrive in 99 which will provide an integrated integrated an provide will which 99 in arrive to due
couple of years. In the short term the the term short the In years. of couple UXO monitor monitor UXO is is
support 80 metre diving. diving. metre 80 support developed and will start to filter through over the next next the over through filter to start will and developed
autonomous and extremely capable diving platform and and platform diving capable extremely and autonomous introduced there are several new areas that are being being are that areas new several are there introduced
system. These CCs will will turn each minehunter into an an into minehunter each turn will will CCs These system. Although no new equipment has recently been been recently has equipment new no Although
with a built-in computer controlled, closed circuit, breathing breathing circuit, closed controlled, computer built-in a with
to the first SRMH is imminent. A two compartment chamber chamber compartment two A imminent. is SRMH first the to DERA(Bincleaves) to develop exploitation techniques. techniques. exploitation develop to DERA(Bincleaves)
Type C CC CC C Type This chamber is nearing completion and delivery delivery and completion nearing is chamber This Exploitation (MIE) and are working closely with with closely working are and (MIE) Exploitation
FDU3 have taken on Mine Investigation and and Investigation Mine on taken have FDU3
CDBA is at the cutting edge of diving technology. technology. diving of edge cutting the at is CDBA With the re-organisation of the Fleet Diving Group Group Diving Fleet the of re-organisation the With
set with which the users are extremely pleased and like the the like and pleased extremely are users the which with set yards to 500LB aircraft bombs and large sea mines. mines. sea large and bombs aircraft 500LB to yards
achieved acceptance after rigorous trials. A capable diving diving capable A trials. rigorous after acceptance achieved 97/98 ranging from pitch filled shells in aggregate aggregate in shells filled pitch from ranging 97/98
extended duration shallow water swiming set and has has and set swiming water shallow duration extended conducted a total of 888 reactive CMD tasks during during tasks CMD reactive 888 of total a conducted
LEBA(MG) LEBA(MG) This has been procurred as a 24 metre metre 24 a as procurred been has This rise. Across the board the Area Diving Groups Groups Diving Area the board the Across rise.
of tasks (93%) IEDD tasking has also seen a small small a seen also has tasking IEDD (93%) tasks of
include comms and a diver-surface-diver visual data link. link. data visual diver-surface-diver a and comms include Disposal (CMD) continues to account for the majority majority the for account to continues (CMD) Disposal
and is in the 1998/99 procurement programme which which programme procurement 1998/99 the in is and the Area Diving Groups. Whilst Conventional Munitions Munitions Conventional Whilst Groups. Diving Area the
Ancilliary equipment to enhance CDBA has been approved approved been has CDBA enhance to equipment Ancilliary the last year seeing a continuing rise in tasking for for tasking in rise continuing a seeing year last the
conversion courses will continue for the next 2 years. years. 2 next the for continue will courses conversion As ever the naval EOD Operator is a busy man with with man busy a is Operator EOD naval the ever As
diving system. Fleet training has commenced and CDBA CDBA and commenced has training Fleet system. diving
except to say that it is now in-service as a proven 80 metre metre 80 proven a as in-service now is it that say to except EOD UPDATE UPDATE EOD
the MAD Magazine and I will not "stop" too "deeply" on it, it, on "deeply" too "stop" not will I and Magazine MAD the
CDBA CDBA This set featured strongly in a previous issue of of issue previous a in strongly featured set This bid for the best to support the Military Purpose. Purpose. Military the support to best the for bid
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DIVING EQUIPMENT UPDATE
BLADE, a similar shaped charge encased in foam EX RESURGENT has now been successfully trialled underwater although an acceptable means of detonation requires In early 97 IEDD pre-licensing training started developing before it can be utilised by a single diver out with the RAF at Ashfordby Gun Range in in the MCM role. CMD boxes 1 & 2 have also been Leicestershire (an old WWII naval gunnery modified to allow closer compliance with ferry range). Unfortunately just as we got into the company regulations whilst giving the operator extra swing of things the H&SE intervened and banned options in his approach to the task. The type of vehicle all training at the site. Left up the proverbial creek that CMD is conducted from is also under review with without a paddle we cast our eyes around for a the current combination of Ford Transit and Landrover suitable venue, not an easy task when you proving unsatisfactory in several aspects. In the slightly consider that we want to fire explosive weapons longer term remote vehicles and other remote in a built up area. After several options proved techniques, already extensively used in IEDD, are unsuitable a site offering restricted access and being developed for the CMD task with the aim of consisting of several multi story buildings and a moving the operater further from the danger area. The number of roads and outbuildings, allowing a aim is that many of the equipments listed above will comprehensive series of scenarios to be run, was be deployable on an RCV platform. Several prototypes identified in Portsmouth. More significantly, with have been deployed in Bosnia and whilst currently the exception of the adjacent nudist beach, there none is ideal they provide a useful base on which to is little public access allowing the safe firing of build. weapons . Exercise Resurgent was born.
Turning to IEDD, despite the current cease-fire and Exercise Resurgent runs from Tue to Thu in the ongoing peace process in Northern Ireland the IEDD week before each relicensing period and is threat on the mainland remains all too real. Currently intended to focus the IEDD operators skills and the RN fields 4 teams which are declared to the Joint ensure they are up to date with current Services EOD Operations Center at Didcot for techniques and threats. It is co-ordinated by Insp deployment in support of UK mainland Civil Powers EOD and supported by the Area Diving Groups and conducted 46 tasks over the previous year. with Directing Staff assistance from the Royal Additionally FDU1 provides a light weight team Logistics Corps (RLC) and Hampshire Police. specifically aimed at countering an IEDD threat in the Realistic devices are 'manufactured' over the MCT environment. Furthermore, recent changes to proceeding months and are based on real IEDD training and the establishment of Exercise devices that have been deployed on the Resurgent has seen numbers of licensed operators mainland. A wide range of scenarios ranging rise from a low of 3 to our current standing of 15. from PIRA radio controlled devices to schoolboy Notwithstanding a significant PIRA campaign prior to pranks are set up based on recent incident the General Election the principal mainland threat reports and the perceived mainland UK threat. remains the criminal element and the thrill seeking The teams are tasked with minimal information nutter (sorry - disaffected person !). Added to this is and expected to extract the required information the proliferation of Internet sites listing how to make from police and other witnesses. Operators are homemade explosives and bombs coupled with no then required to assess the problem and deal shortage of schoolboys willing to give it a go (one with the device, usually employing both remote was even caught selling bombs to his mates at and manual techniques with full forensic school). The recent exposure of the Mardi Gras considerations. At any one time up to three Bomber as a pair of genial old pensioners highlights teams can be on the ground at various stages that anyone can be a threat. of a task that may last from one to two and a With the exception of the MK8b wheelbarrow there half hours. has been little visible movement in IEDD equipment, however an extensive development programme is For anyone with a professional interest Exercise currently examining all areas of IEDD operations and Resurgent provides an ideal opportunity to promises some significant developments in both witness IEDD operations at first hand and, techniques and procedures in the future. although numbers must be restricted, visitors are welcome. Anyone wishing to attend as an The FDS HQ EOD team: observer should contact Insp EOD at Fleet Diving SO EOD - Lt Cdr (Dave) BATE Ext 4121 Squadron Headquarters. InspEOD - WO(D) (Andy) BRUNTON Ext 4137
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7 7
Tel: Tel: Mil: 93832 4116 4116 93832 Mil: Civ: 01705 224116 224116 01705 Civ:
Clearance diver continues to flourish today. today. flourish to continues diver Clearance Hampshire, P06 4TT. 4TT. P06 Hampshire,
integration into the Area Diving Units. The RNR RNR The Units. Diving Area the into integration Horsea Island, Cosham, Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Cosham, Island, Horsea
only minimal training was needed to ensure rapid rapid ensure to needed was training minimal only Fleet Diving Headquarters, Reclaim Building. Building. Reclaim Headquarters, Diving Fleet
industry. Employing only ex-RN Divers meant that that meant Divers ex-RN only Employing industry. Inspector of Ships Diving Diving Ships of Inspector
were then employed in the commercial diving diving commercial the in employed then were CPO(D) BOB HAYTER HAYTER BOB CPO(D)
the personnel recruited were ex-RN Divers who who Divers ex-RN were recruited personnel the
Branch. For the formation of the RNR CD branch branch CD RNR the of formation the For Branch. the first point of contact is: is: contact of point first the
was modelled on the successful Fleet Air Arm RNR RNR Arm Air Fleet successful the on modelled was Diving Branch, or would like any further information information further any like would or Branch, Diving
periods of national tension or war. This initiative initiative This war. or tension national of periods If you are interested in joining the RNR Clearance Clearance RNR the joining in interested are you If
supplement the Regular diving strength during during strength diving Regular the supplement
"Clearance Divers", who would be available to to available be would who Divers", "Clearance achieved. achieved.
was also a need for a small nucleus of RNR RNR of nucleus small a for need a also was annum) providing the required training time is is time training required the providing annum)
and Ships Divers. It was recognized then that there there that then recognized was It Divers. Ships and maximum bounty to be paid, (currently £525 per per £525 (currently paid, be to bounty maximum
Until the mid 1980s the RNR contained only Port Port only contained RNR the 1980s mid the Until Entry within 3 years of leaving the RN entitles the the entitles RN the leaving of years 3 within Entry
leave the RN, permitting immediate entry to the RNR. RNR. the to entry immediate permitting RN, the leave
formally dis-established. dis-established. formally administration can be completed before personnel personnel before completed be can administration
1994 the remaining RNR Ships Divers were also also were Divers Ships RNR remaining the 1994 RN, this is the way ahead for you. Most of the joining joining the of Most you. for ahead way the is this RN,
as the Port Divers were disbanded, and then, in in then, and disbanded, were Divers Port the as service but would like to maintain your links with the the with links your maintain to like would but service
Ships Divers had ceased at around the same time time same the around at ceased had Divers Ships and 45 for Senior Rates. So, if you are leaving the the leaving are you if So, Rates. Senior for 45 and
EAGLET and PRESIDENT. The training of RNR RNR of training The PRESIDENT. and EAGLET The upper age limits for joining are 40 for Junior Rates Rates Junior for 40 are joining for limits age upper The
all teams except those at HMS FLYING FOX, FOX, FLYING HMS at those except teams all
the Royal Navy Reserve, resulted in the closure of of closure the in resulted Reserve, Navy Royal the mentioned above is paid in addition to the basic wage. wage. basic the to addition in paid is above mentioned
In June 1993 a further review, aimed specifically at at specifically aimed review, further a 1993 June In being paid for every day they work. The tax free bounty bounty free tax The work. they day every for paid being
comparable rate to that of their full time counterparts, counterparts, time full their of that to rate comparable
ship's husbandry tasks and seabed searches. searches. seabed and tasks husbandry ship's RNR CD branch. RNR personnel are paid on a a on paid are personnel RNR branch. CD RNR
conducting ship's bottom searches, underwater underwater searches, bottom ship's conducting Currently there are vacancies for all ranks within the the within ranks all for vacancies are there Currently
berthed at the units. They remained in-date by by in-date remained They units. the at berthed
required on the MSFs and other craft that were were that craft other and MSFs the on required remains gapped. gapped. remains
and was capable of supporting the diving tasks tasks diving the supporting of capable was and potential to extend the length of contract if the billet billet the if contract of length the extend to potential
team consisted of between 6 and 14 qualified divers divers qualified 14 and 6 between of consisted team entitlements of the regular serviceman, with the the with serviceman, regular the of entitlements
employed at all of the above RNR divisions. Each Each divisions. RNR above the of all at employed FTRS the RNR Rating or Officer can claim all the the all claim can Officer or Rating RNR the FTRS
to feed the Port Diver Branch. Ships' Divers were were Divers Ships' Branch. Diver Port the feed to between 3 months and 2 years. While serving under under serving While years. 2 and months 3 between
The original function of the RNR Ships Divers was was Divers Ships RNR the of function original The can serve in a gapped billet for a fixed period of of period fixed a for billet gapped a in serve can
Service (FTRS) scheme. Under this scheme personnel personnel scheme this Under scheme. (FTRS) Service
on 1st January 1992. 1992. January 1st on within the diving branch under the Full Time Reserve Reserve Time Full the under branch diving the within
RN diving teams. The RNR Port Divers disbanded disbanded Divers Port RNR The teams. diving RN Opportunities exist for RNR CD's to fill gapped billets billets gapped fill to CD's RNR for exist Opportunities
of ports and anchorage's and to work closely with with closely work to and anchorage's and ports of
support the UK war plan, to assist in the defence defence the in assist to plan, war UK the support techniques in underwater engineering. engineering. underwater in techniques
The primary role of the Port Diving teams was to to was teams Diving Port the of role primary The diver can benefit the Diving Team and help improve improve help and Team Diving the benefit can diver
colleagues. Often, the experience of the commercial commercial the of experience the Often, colleagues.
training at the RN diving school, HMS VERNON. VERNON. HMS school, diving RN the at training therefore expect to work alongside their RN RN their alongside work to expect therefore
employment. The latter underwent the necessary necessary the underwent latter The employment. in current military diving practices and they can can they and practices diving military current in
qualification, or divers recruited direct from civilian civilian from direct recruited divers or qualification, personnel to maintain a satisfactory level of knowledge knowledge of level satisfactory a maintain to personnel
ex-RN regular divers with the minimum ship's diver diver ship's minimum the with divers regular ex-RN The time spent training is designed to enable all all enable to designed is training spent time The
PRESIDENT). The Port Diving teams consisted of of consisted teams Diving Port The PRESIDENT).
EAGLET, SUSSEX, CAMPERDOWN AND AND CAMPERDOWN SUSSEX, EAGLET, Diving who is the branch manager. manager. branch the is who Diving
and were based at 5 RNR divisions (FLYING FOX, FOX, (FLYING divisions RNR 5 at based were and training is co-ordinated through the Inspector of Ships Ships of Inspector the through co-ordinated is training
Port Divers formed the original RNR Diving Teams Teams Diving RNR original the formed Divers Port attend evening training sessions at RNR units. All All units. RNR at sessions training evening attend
Portsmouth. There is no requirement for RNR CD's to to CD's RNR for requirement no is There Portsmouth.
divers; Port, Ships and Clearance Divers. Divers. Clearance and Ships Port, divers; Southern Diving Group in either Devonport or or Devonport either in Group Diving Southern
Armed Forces, the RNR contained 3 classes of of classes 3 contained RNR the Forces, Armed the Northern Diving Group at Faslane or with the the with or Faslane at Group Diving Northern the
Before the 1991 "Options for change" review of the the of review change" for "Options 1991 the Before year in May. The training can be carried out at either either at out carried be can training The May. in year
for their RNR bounty. This is a tax free sum paid every every paid sum free tax a is This bounty. RNR their for
by CPO(D) BOB HAYTER HAYTER BOB CPO(D) by
a minimum of 12 days training per annum to qualify qualify to annum per training days 12 of minimum a
DIVING IN THE ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE RESERVE NAVAL ROYAL THE IN DIVING Every member of the RNR CD branch has to complete complete to has branch CD RNR the of member Every
DIVING IN THE RNR RNR THE IN DIVING www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
CDBA CONVERSION
JUST A DIT TO WHILE AWAY A MINUTE
By 11 1)(D) TIMMS. Inspector CD.
Just a couple of days ago I returned from CDBA Conversion Course number 1 where I formally qualified as a CDBA Supervisor, but alas not as a diver. I wanted to give a 'Chuck Up', to CPO(D) S BIELBY and his '2nd Dickies', all of whom are on the training staff of DDS, who have taken the complexities of the CDBA and its associated equipment and procedures and turned them into a training course that is concise, understandable and 'passable'. It was good to see user and supervisor equipment confidences grow throughout the course. The last days deep diving was spent conducting minehunting type dives to 60m... without stops!
Don't let me sow the seeds of complacency. Studying during the course and professionalism is required throughtout. As a word of warning, don't forget that CDBA course attendees are reentering the training environment! Make sure any evident rust resting upon basic drills, regulations and procedures is well 'oiled' (and don't forget to arrive at DDS with your Uni-suit as detailed within the joining instructions you will all receive eventually.)
On a lighter note, if weather and time permits the last days diving on the CDBA course is a 24m swim to allow users to ensure that their buoyancy, trim and more importantly ascent rates are correct (1 metre every 4 seconds, yes I'm right, you'll learn) without the aid of a shot rope. On completion of the last 24m swim an AB(D) was heard to say that his dive had been `Pretty', I shuddered as I gave a thought to all those old Chief divers of yesteryear turning in their watery graves.
A pretty dive! I must add that to the list of definitions within the 2806!!!
The name of the AB(D) I will withhold, because I would not wish the man concerned to be further ridiculed ... but if I'm asked! yours Aye.
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foul screw and carry out a shaft survey. 6 turns turns 6 survey. shaft a out carry and screw foul
CFM Portsmouth to clear the remainder of the the of remainder the clear to Portsmouth CFM
Southern Diving Unit 2 (SDU 2) were tasked by by tasked were 2) (SDU 2 Unit Diving Southern to assist in the blade change operation. operation. change blade the in assist to
positioned over the hub to carry a wheeled trolley trolley wheeled a carry to hub the over positioned
Amsterdam was cancelled. cancelled. was Amsterdam underneath the hub. A top frame, with rails, is is rails, with frame, top A hub. the underneath
locked shaft. Unfortunately the visit to to visit the Unfortunately shaft. locked supported by, an inverted A frame slung slung frame A inverted an by, supported
prior to the transit back to Portsmouth with a a with Portsmouth to back transit the to prior blades each side. The bag is connected to, and and to, connected is bag The side. each blades
bights, to allow full ahead pitch to be applied applied be to pitch ahead full allow to bights, top dead centre and the upper portion of the the of portion upper the and centre dead top
by a salvage company to cut off remaining remaining off cut to company salvage a by is inflated over the hub, enclosing the blade at at blade the enclosing hub, the over inflated is
approximately 3 hours and were then assisted assisted then were and hours 3 approximately (similar to a parachute style flotation bag) which which bag) flotation style parachute a to (similar
rope and berthing hawser from the propeller for for propeller the from hawser berthing and rope The habitat is a reinforced coated nylon "bag" "bag" nylon coated reinforced a is habitat The
Ships divers worked to clear bights of steel wire wire steel of bights clear to worked divers Ships
a routine visit to Amsterdam. BIRMINGHAM's BIRMINGHAM's Amsterdam. to visit routine a services (Norwest Divers) and first used in 1995. 1995. in used first and Divers) (Norwest services
a berthing hawser whilst transiting a lock during during lock a transiting whilst hawser berthing a Fred Mcnally and Dave Taylor at F J Marine Marine J F at Taylor Dave and Mcnally Fred
Stbd propeller and hub when the ship picked up up picked ship the when hub and propeller Stbd The inflatable habitat was designed and built by by built and designed was habitat inflatable The
HMS BIRMINGHAM sustained damage to her her to damage sustained BIRMINGHAM HMS
General Description of the Habitat Habitat the of Description General
HMS BIRMINGHAM Repair Repair BIRMINGHAM HMS
2 were the lead team for the evolution. evolution. the for team lead the were 2
Squadron. Squadron. SDU 2 supervised the diving operation as SDU SDU as operation diving the supervised 2 SDU
Portsmouth, by members of the Fleet Diving Diving Fleet the of members by Portsmouth, of Habitat trained personnel. CPO(D) GALE of of GALE CPO(D) personnel. trained Habitat of
BIRMINGHAM's Stbd shaft in March 1998 at at 1998 March in shaft Stbd BIRMINGHAM's were also on site to ensure a sufficient number number sufficient a ensure to site on also were
a CPP Blade change and repair to HMS HMS to repair and change Blade CPP a Support Engineer Officer (Diving) from FDHQ FDHQ from (Diving) Officer Engineer Support
This article details the use of the habitat during during habitat the of use the details article This The WO Fleet Diving Group (WOFDG) and the the and (WOFDG) Group Diving Fleet WO The
Unit 1 (SDU 1) and Northern Diving Group (NDG). (NDG). Group Diving Northern and 1) (SDU 1 Unit
procedures for CPP blade change afloat. afloat. change blade CPP for procedures assistance was requested from Southern Diving Diving Southern from requested was assistance
ME 212 as part of a plan to improve the the improve to plan a of part as 212 ME therefore, to enable the repair to be carried out, out, carried be to repair the enable to therefore,
(Norwest Divers). This course was arranged by by arranged was course This Divers). (Norwest SDU 2 had severe manpower restrictions and and restrictions manpower severe had 2 SDU
in the use of the habitat at F J Marine Services Services Marine J F at habitat the of use the in
Fleet Diving Groups undertook an aquaint course course aquaint an undertook Groups Diving Fleet far better visibility. visibility. better far
In September 1997 members of the Southern and and Southern the of members 1997 September In moved to a non-tidal berth in 3 basin, which gave gave which basin, 3 in berth non-tidal a to moved
To assist the underwater repair the ship was was ship the repair underwater the assist To
out NDE on the crankring whilst afloat. afloat. whilst crankring the on NDE out
environment for divers and the ability to carry carry to ability the and divers for environment bearing clearances with feeler gauges. gauges. feeler with clearances bearing
inflatable habitat, giving a safer working working safer a giving habitat, inflatable after rope guard and measuring A bracket bracket A measuring and guard rope after
The latest development is the introduction of an an of introduction the is development latest The protection plate bolts, replacing the damaged damaged the replacing bolts, plate protection
included replacing wire locking on the hub hub the on locking wire replacing included
facilitate underwater blade change. change. blade underwater facilitate of the other blades in the Habitat. Other work work Other Habitat. the in blades other the of
introduction of nylon blade bolt covers to to covers bolt blade nylon of introduction damaged blade and dress the damaged areas areas damaged the dress and blade damaged
and chain hoists originally used and the the and used originally hoists chain and MSM/W1. SDU 2 were tasked to replace one one replace to tasked were 2 SDU MSM/W1.
torque setting tool to replace the large spanners spanners large the replace to tool setting torque After discussions between the ship, ME 212 and and 212 ME ship, the between discussions After
of Hedley Purvis hydraulic bolt removal and and removal bolt hydraulic Purvis Hedley of
technique used over the years; the introduction introduction the years; the over used technique obtained with an endoscope). endoscope). an with obtained
1982. There have been improvements in the the in improvements been have There 1982. misleading, magnified, results that can be be can that results magnified, misleading,
first used during the Falklands campaign during during campaign Falklands the during used first a true indication of the damage (similar to to (similar damage the of indication true a
afloat was developed in the early 1980's and was was and 1980's early the in developed was afloat video was not of a good quality and did not give give not did and quality good a of not was video
The concept of changing CPP blades whilst whilst blades CPP changing of concept The maximum of 2" from the blade, the resulting resulting the blade, the from 2" of maximum
camera only able to obtain a picture at a a at picture a obtain to able only camera
Introduction Introduction Due to the extremely poor visibility, with the video video the with visibility, poor extremely the to Due
hub, witnessed by the ships MEG and ME 212. 212. ME and MEG ships the by witnessed hub,
Support Engineer Officer (Diving) (Diving) Officer Engineer Support A video survey was carried out of the blades and and blades the of out carried was survey video A
By Lt Mike McLachlan McLachlan Mike Lt By
visibility. visibility.
1998 1998 removed at fountain lake jetty in very poor poor very in jetty lake fountain at removed
HABITAT - HMS BIRMINGHAM, MARCH MARCH BIRMINGHAM, HMS - HABITAT wire rope and the rope guard were subsequently subsequently were guard rope the and rope wire
CPP BLADE CHANGE USING INFLATABLE INFLATABLE USING CHANGE BLADE CPP of 50cm berthing hawser, the remains of the steel steel the of remains the hawser, berthing 50cm of
CPP BLADE CHANGE USING INFLATABLE HABITAT HABITAT INFLATABLE USING CHANGE BLADE CPP www.mcdoa.org.uk
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CPP BLADE CHANGE
Ship's Hull without a baleout cylinder, for transit between surface and the Habitat. The disadvantage of using this rig was the difficulty donning the mask Habitat Bag prior to exiting the habitat. Top Frame and Rails Rigging the Habitat
Prior to rigging the habitat the damaged blade was positioned at TDC, with 19 deg AH pitch Connecting Chains applied, the CPP system was isolated at the OT Box, and the ship tagged out for diving. The first diving task was to remove blanks and Lower Frame bolt a pad eye to the hull above the blade at TDC. Experience has shown that the pad eye positions differ from ship to ship; a Type 42 rarely has a General Arrangement of CPP Habitat pad eye position directly over the blade. BIRMINGHAM's were displaced about 1m aft and Diving Equipment 0.75m fwd of the blade.
Rigging of the habitat is conducted with the diver The upper frame was then assembled on the hub wearing in-service surface supplied diving over the blade at TDC. The frame is of a 2-piece equipment (KMB 17 or 18) but using a small bale construction with saddles that position over the out cylinder and a 40M umbilical. hub and support rails which run along the length of the hub, protruding forward and aft of the blade. The frame is secured with spansets To work inside the habitat safely it is essential around the hub. that the divers come off gas, unclip their umbilical and remove weights and fins. The The lower frame was assembled ashore and got edges of the blades are sharp and an umbilical ready to be slung vertically into a position continuously chafing against the blade edges outboard of the lower 2 blades. The dockyard would be liable to fail. Additionally there is only crane driver failed to turn up, reporting that no limited space inside the habitat and the ability cranes could operate in the dockyard due to high to erect and operate lifting gear and Headley winds. A bottom line was rigged and the lower Purvis bolt removal equipment would be seriously hindered if trailing an umbilical.
To enable the diver to easily remove and replace his facemask, a hybrid surface supplied diving equipment has been designed, with consultation with Inspector of Diving. This equipment consists of a surface supplied, positive pressure AGA mask, worn with a simple harness. This equipment is solely for transit between surface and the habitat. Once inside the habitat the mask and umbilical are removed from the diver and stowed in purpose made pockets adjacent to the point of entry. A secondary air supply for the divers is supplied by connecting a first stage reducer with hose, second stage demand valve and mouthpiece to the small baleout cylinder. This can be worn by the diver, strapped to his leg, for ease of use in an emergency.
This hybrid diving equipment was unfortunately not available at this time so dispensation was given by Superintendent of Diving to use KMB, 10 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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11 11
obstacle was due to the connection at the top of of top the at connection the to due was obstacle
bellybands, but further investigation found the the found investigation further but bellybands,
due to incorrect rigging of the strops and and strops the of rigging incorrect to due
tension. Initially the problem was thought to be be to thought was problem the Initially tension.
but the strops around the fwd seal took up no no up took seal fwd the around strops the but
inflation continued. A good seal was obtained obtained was seal good A continued. inflation
The retaining ropes were slackened off and and off slackened were ropes retaining The
the "ears" being secured too close to the frame. frame. the to close too secured being "ears" the
habitat. During inflation problems arose due to to due arose problems inflation During habitat.
frame and reduced HP air applied to inflate the the inflate to applied air HP reduced and frame
hub. The 2 "ears" were then secured to the lower lower the to secured then were "ears" 2 The hub.
strops secured by a metal bellyband beneath the the beneath bellyband metal a by secured strops
shackled to the bottom frame. with a further 2 2 further a with frame. bottom the to shackled
positioned fwd and aft as marked, and the rest rest the and marked, as aft and fwd positioned The 8 Habitat securing strops were then then were strops securing Habitat 8 The
lowered over the hub and blades, with the seals seals the with blades, and hub the over lowered
the bag was under water it was opened out and and out opened was it water under was bag the
of the bag would have aided this process. Once Once process. this aided have would bag the of
leave surface; a down line connected to the top top the to connected line down a surface; leave
the water. It was still a struggle to get the bag to to bag the get to struggle a still was It water. the
trapped air and then lowered upside down into into down upside lowered then and air trapped
rope along its length to minimise the amount of of amount the minimise to length its along rope
then prepared for deployment by binding with with binding by deployment for prepared then
aft of the damaged blade. The habitat bag was was bag habitat The blade. damaged the of aft
The other trolley was then located on the rails rails the on located then was trolley other The
and A bracket. bracket. A and
due to the limited clearance between propeller propeller between clearance limited the to due
trolley to allow the wheels to locate on the track track the on locate to wheels the allow to trolley
and the blade was not correctly aligned on the the on aligned correctly not was blade the and
strop to facilitate lateral movement onto the hub hub the onto movement lateral facilitate to strop
have been a chain hoist on the end of the crane crane the of end the on hoist chain a been have
The slinging plan was flawed as there should should there as flawed was plan slinging The
space between the hull and the top of the rails. rails. the of top the and hull the between space
slinging the blade and trolley into the confined confined the into trolley and blade the slinging
problems with the sling design, which hindered hindered which design, sling the with problems
did not go as planned; There are inherent inherent are There planned; as go not did
then secured with 2 spansets. This evolution evolution This spansets. 2 with secured then
into place on the rails at the fwd end of the hub, hub, the of end fwd the at rails the on place into
positioned and secured on a trolley and slung slung and trolley a on secured and positioned
with a mobile crane from CFM. The blade was was blade The CFM. from crane mobile a with 22 has a divergent nozzle) nozzle) divergent a has 22
replacement blade, which duly arrived, along along arrived, duly which blade, replacement the seal sliding off the cone on the hub. (Type (Type hub. the on cone the off sliding seal the
During this time the ship was hastening the the hastening was ship the time this During rig retaining strops on to the spansets to prevent prevent to spansets the to on strops retaining rig
after seal is also troublesome; it is necessary to to necessary is it troublesome; also is seal after
to the hub. hub. the to guard and A bracket legs (approx 70mm). The The 70mm). (approx legs bracket A and guard
bottle screws tightened to secure the 2 frames frames 2 the secure to tightened screws bottle small dimension of the flat area between rope rope between area flat the of dimension small
connected between upper and lower frame and and frame lower and upper between connected seal at the A bracket on a Type 42 due to the the to due 42 Type a on bracket A the at seal
protruding through. The inboard chains are then then are chains inboard The through. protruding Type 22 hub, which makes it difficult to obtain a a obtain to difficult it makes which hub, 22 Type
underside of the hub, with the lower blades blades lower the with hub, the of underside habitat body. The habitat was designed for a a for designed was habitat The body. habitat
frame to be floated into position against the the against position into floated be to frame spanset is placed over the seal, close to the the to close seal, the over placed is spanset
the lower legs of the lower frame to allow the the allow to frame lower the of legs lower the is then tensioned with a spanset. An additional additional An spanset. a with tensioned then is
rail. Flotation devices (air bags) are inflated on on inflated are bags) (air devices Flotation rail. between the habitat material and the hub, which which hub, the and material habitat the between
of the frame and the outboard side of the top top the of side outboard the and frame the of The seals are made with 1" neoprene strips strips neoprene 1" with made are seals The
securing chains are connected to the top 2 legs legs 2 top the to connected are chains securing
in a vertical position outboard of the blades the the blades the of outboard position vertical a in the restraining strops over the bottom frame. frame. bottom the over strops restraining the
frame was then manhandled into the water. Once Once water. the into manhandled then was frame of the material positioned to line up the ends of of ends the up line to positioned material the of
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CPP BLADE CHANGE
the bag to the pad eye. The pad eye was not bags were positioned between the blade root directly over the blade and was causing the bag and the rails to soak up any spillage, should it to tilt forward, preventing the strops taking any occur. In practice it was found that if the strain. The bag was again deflated and the pressure in the Habitat is greater than the head decision made to remove the connection to the of oil in the hub there was no spillage. Once the pad eye. A good seal was then obtained. blade was removed the exposed crank ring was evacuated of surface oil using a hose connected The divers then had a good check round prior to a container at the surface (habitat pressure to entering the habitat. Once inside the habitat forces oil to the surface) and prepared for dye the diver removes his weights and fins and then penetrant testing. comes off gas. The next task is to rig secondary The MEO witnessed the dye penetrant procedure on the video monitor on the surface and was then able to debrief the diver (SEO(D) with the aid of the video and talk through any minor concerns. The clarity of the video was excellent as a high- resolution digital camera was used, which possibly gave a better indication than the naked eye. Due to the highly toxic nature of the substances used to carry out this procedure it was necessary for the divers to wear breathing apparatus with positive pressure facemasks (AGA)
The crank ring was then cleaned, seals were renewed and the new blade slid into position, air supplies, lights, communications and a video lifted clear of the trolley, trolley removed and the camera. The habitat is supplied with a blade lowered into position. Hedley Purvis gear continuous supply of reduced HP air (4 bar) from was then used to tighten and torque the blade the charging panel in the dive store, to ensure a bolts in the laid down sequence. Plastic blade safe, breathable atmosphere at all times. To bolt covers were then cut and faired off after prevent the reducer lifting the pressure relief insertion. valves on the charging panel it is necessary to isolate the charging panel and HP air reservoir Additional Repairs on the quarterdeck from the HP air ringmain and reduce the pressure to below 207 bar. In the The fwd trolley was then removed and the area event of a ship emergency this section can easily between the A bracket and hub inspected for be reinstated and diving halted. further damage. The A bracket bearing retaining ring was seen to be damaged, with 2 studs Blade Change sheared off. The remaining studs and the retaining ring were removed. The habitat was An "A" frame is erected inside the habitat to act then de rigged to give better access and after as a strongback for slinging the blades. The drilling and eazi-out the damaged studs were frame is located on the ends of the upper frame removed. New retaining ring, studs, nuts and and secured to the top of the habitat to prevent split pins were then fitted. movement whilst slinging. Once the frame was rigged the blade bolt covers were drilled, tapped The fwd rope guard was unbolted from the A bracket and pulled out then the blade was unbolted using (without separating the 2 halves) and slid up the shaft Hedley Purvis gear. The blade was then lifted to gain access for taking bearing clearance using 2 lever pulls slung from the lifting frame. readings.Whilst this work was progressing a video The trolley aft is slid into position under the lifted was taken of the remaining blades. The damage was blade and the blade then lowered. The trolley discovered, in improved visibility, to be only minor. was then pushed back to its original position. After consultation with the MEO and MSM/W1, and There was some concern prior to this stage with agreement by ME 212 it was clear that the damaged regards to oil spillage from the hub, even with areas could be dressed with a smooth file and wet the CPP system isolated at the OT box. Dryzit stone without the use of the habitat. 12 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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13 13
Outfits. Outfits.
flights. flights. the 2 new habitats for the CPP Blade Change Change Blade CPP the for habitats new 2 the
DAC clearance for commercial and military military and commercial for clearance DAC the deficiencies highlighted will be rectified in in rectified be will highlighted deficiencies the
transportability in a C130 and have been given given been have and C130 a in transportability continuation training. Lessons were learnt and and learnt were Lessons training. continuation
outfits have been cleared by JATE to ensure air air ensure to JATE by cleared been have outfits HMS BIRMINGHAM proved to be excellent excellent be to proved BIRMINGHAM HMS
or commercial divers. The CPP blade change change blade CPP The divers. commercial or replacement blade into position. The repair to to repair The position. into blade replacement
anywhere in the world, by suitably trained military military trained suitably by world, the in anywhere did not involve rigging the frames or slinging the the slinging or frames the rigging involve not did
allow water borne exchange of CPP blades blades CPP of exchange borne water allow acquaint, at F J Marine premises in a test tank, tank, test a in premises Marine J F at acquaint,
CPP Blade change outfits being developed to to developed being outfits change Blade CPP have had to rig the habitat on a live ship. The The ship. live a on habitat the rig to had have
Portsmouth and will be an integral part of the 2 2 the of part integral an be will and Portsmouth This was the first occasion that military divers divers military that occasion first the was This
maintained by PSSE store at Devonport and and Devonport at store PSSE by maintained
Type 23 FF. The new Habitats will be stored and and stored be will Habitats new The FF. 23 Type reclaimed. reclaimed.
accommodate the Skew blades being fitted to to fitted being blades Skew the accommodate lower edges of the habitat and could be easily easily be could and habitat the of edges lower
procuring two further CPP Habitats, designed to to designed Habitats, CPP further two procuring any enter the water it would be contained by the the by contained be would it water the enter any
The habitat used is a prototype. ME 212 are are 212 ME prototype. a is used habitat The leak can be contained with Dryzit bags or, should should or, bags Dryzit with contained be can leak
oil contamination of the water. Any oil that does does that oil Any water. the of contamination oil
Future Developments Developments Future giving environmental benefits as there is minimal minimal is there as benefits environmental giving
the head of oil in the hub and the CPP system, system, CPP the and hub the in oil of head the
have over run by an estimated 2 days. days. 2 estimated an by run over have The air pressure in the habitat is greater than than greater is habitat the in pressure air The
to dress all the remaining blades the task would would task the blades remaining the all dress to
timescale, although had the habitat been used used been habitat the had although timescale, the divers. divers. the
The repair was completed within the estimated estimated the within completed was repair The surface provide a safer working environment for for environment working safer a provide surface
good visual and audio communications with the the with communications audio and visual good
Waiting time time Waiting
0.5 day day 0.5
blades is easier due to the trolleys. Additionally Additionally trolleys. the to due easier is blades
Replacing rope guard guard rope Replacing 1 day day 1
out in a controlled manner and handling of of handling and manner controlled a in out Replacing wire locking locking wire Replacing 0.5 day day 0.5
Dressing blades blades Dressing 0.75 day day 0.75 communications overcome. The lifting is carried carried is lifting The overcome. communications
A bracket clearances clearances bracket A
1 day day 1
problems associated with poor visibility and and visibility poor with associated problems
Removing and replacing A bracket bearing retaining ring ring retaining bearing bracket A replacing and Removing 1 day day 1
Lifting and slinging of blades is safer, with the the with safer, is blades of slinging and Lifting De-rigging Habitat Habitat De-rigging 0.5 day day 0.5
Dye Penetrant Penetrant Dye 0.25 day day 0.25
Changing CPP blade blade CPP Changing
1 day day 1
the video monitor. monitor. video the
Rigging inside habitat habitat inside Rigging 0.5 day day 0.5
can witness all operations from the surface on on surface the from operations all witness can Rigging habitat bag bag habitat Rigging 0.5 day day 0.5
Slinging blade into position position into blade Slinging 1 day day 1 without the need to dock the ship, and ships staff staff ships and ship, the dock to need the without
Rigging top and bottom frame frame bottom and top Rigging
0.5 day day 0.5
can be successfully carried out in dry conditions, conditions, dry in out carried successfully be can
Initial inspection, foul screw clearance and rope guard removal 1 day day 1 removal guard rope and clearance screw foul inspection, Initial
Use of the habitat has clearly shown that NDE NDE that shown clearly has habitat the of Use
follows: follows:
underwater repair was 10 working days, as as days, working 10 was repair underwater Conclusion Conclusion
working days. The actual time taken for the the for taken time actual The days. working
The original estimate of time to repair was 12 12 was repair to time of estimate original The blade. blade.
of having a generic sling to fit all types of CPP CPP of types all fit to sling generic a having of
Time Scale of Repair Repair of Scale Time process of being re-designed, with the intention intention the with re-designed, being of process
a revised slinging plan. The blade sling is in the the in is sling blade The plan. slinging revised a
rope guard. guard. rope written by ME 212 and SEO(D), which will include include will which SEO(D), and 212 ME by written
aft rope guard bolthole threads and fit the new new the fit and threads bolthole guard rope aft The procedure for using the habitat will be re- be will habitat the using for procedure The
and wire locked. The final task was to clean the the clean to was task final The locked. wire and
hub protection plate bolts were then proved tight tight proved then were bolts plate protection hub and a lighter A frame for lifting. lifting. for frame A lighter a and
The fwd A bracket rope guard was replaced. The The replaced. was guard rope bracket A fwd The strops for the "ears", additional internal pockets pockets internal additional "ears", the for strops
an improved sealing arrangement, measured measured arrangement, sealing improved an
rigging the frames and the habitat bag. bag. habitat the and frames the rigging highlighted during use. The redesign will include include will redesign The use. during highlighted
turning the shaft to put the blade at TDC and re- and TDC at blade the put to shaft the turning incorporated to alleviate the shortcomings shortcomings the alleviate to incorporated
To rig the habitat on each blade would involve involve would blade each on habitat the rig To The new habitats will have improvements improvements have will habitats new The
CPP BLADE CHANGE CHANGE BLADE CPP www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
HABITAT -SPEAK
HABI-SPEAK FROM TO TRANSLATION Are you sure this bag Diver Surface We may have this on fits this ship? the wrong was round
These blades don't Diver Surface We're on the wrong appear to be very shaft. damaged/leaking oil
We've had a discussion Surface Diver We're bored because and have come up with we're not in the water a good idea so we've decided to dive by proxy.
I think the habitat may Diver Surface Can't any of you up be starting to leak there remember to keep again. at least a whisper of air going into this bag?
You sound tired, do Surface Diver Get this useless ***** you want a break for a out of the water so we while? can crack on.
Send us down another Diver Surface We've dropped the wrench the ratchet's original spanner. jammed on this one.
Show us on the camera Surface Diver We don't believe you.
Wow - a pink octopus! Diver Surface The lunch and dinner on this boat were bad enough, we don't fancy breakfast too.
This SIKAFLEX is Diver Surface I can't make this stuff tricky stuff isn't it? come out the end of the nozzle because I haven't cut the tip off.
These chain hoists are Diver Surface I don't work out much crap. any more and I'm knackered.
Does DENZO tape Diver Surface There's a suspicious smell? brown substance floating inside the habitat.
Send us another Diver Surface I've just dropped the speaker the speaker in the water connection's loose on despite you caretully this one. packing it in 2 layers of plastic.
We may have to reduce Surface Diver While you've been 'in' a better numbers on site foreign job has come up and tomorrow. we've elected the current topside crew to fly out without you.
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15 15
bombarded by burning debris, so he grabbed a a grabbed he so debris, burning by bombarded
realised that the ship's Searider boat was being being was boat Searider ship's the that realised
two members of the damage control party. He then then He party. control damage the of members two
portable fire pump, carrying it to the sweepdeck with with sweepdeck the to it carrying pump, fire portable engineering Habitat blade change equipment. equipment. change blade Habitat engineering
was lost and Murray raced down to 2 Deck for a a for Deck 2 to down raced Murray and lost was demonstration and a display of the new underwater underwater new the of display a and demonstration
by then had collapsed. Eventually firemain pressure pressure firemain Eventually collapsed. had then by and witness an Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Disposal Device Explosive Improvised an witness and
attempting to access the inside of the funnel which which funnel the of inside the access to attempting to tour and meet all the personnel serving with SDU 2 2 SDU with serving personnel the all meet and tour to
escalating inferno, Murray continued to attack the fire, fire, the attack to continued Murray inferno, escalating Prior to the presentation FOSF took the opportunity opportunity the took FOSF presentation the to Prior
attacking the blaze. Repeatedly risking injury from the the from injury risking Repeatedly blaze. the attacking
wearing only cotton overalls, he aggressively began began aggressively he overalls, cotton only wearing and total disregard for his own safety." safety." own his for disregard total and
rigged a fire hose which AB Murray took up and and up took Murray AB which hose fire a rigged fire unaided at close quarters, outstanding initiative initiative outstanding quarters, close at unaided fire
extinguisher. Members of the bridge team had swiftly swiftly had team bridge the of Members extinguisher. serious incident. He showed courage in fighting the the fighting in courage showed He incident. serious
heat, he began dousing the seat of the fire with an an with fire the of seat the dousing began he heat, at the seat of the fire, which prevented a far more more far a prevented which fire, the of seat the at
Surrounded by thick, choking smoke and blistering blistering and smoke choking thick, by Surrounded crucial in maintaining a continuous, aggressive attack attack aggressive continuous, a maintaining in crucial
to 20ft and being fanned by the freshening winds. winds. freshening the by fanned being and 20ft to said: "There is no doubt that Murray's actions were were actions Murray's that doubt no is "There said:
confronted with the funnel engulfed in flames rising rising flames in engulfed funnel the with confronted HURWORTH's Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr Simon Neil Neil Simon Cdr Lt Officer, Commanding HURWORTH's
AB Murray was first on the scene of the fire and was was and fire the of scene the on first was Murray AB In recommending AB Murray for the award, award, the for Murray AB recommending In
As a member of the Standing Sea Emergency Party, Party, Emergency Sea Standing the of member a As
after the alarm had been raised. raised. been had alarm the after
the early hours in May 1996. 1996. May in hours early the began, eventually dousing the blaze just 23 minutes minutes 23 just blaze the dousing eventually began,
uptake space fire onboard HMS HURWORTH during during HURWORTH HMS onboard fire space uptake he returned to 1 deck where his firefighting efforts efforts firefighting his where deck 1 to returned he
of AB Murray's efforts to control a major funnel and and funnel major a control to efforts Murray's AB of Hearing the pumps run up and the firemain restored, restored, firemain the and up run pumps the Hearing
2(Portsmouth).The Commendation was in recognition recognition in was Commendation 2(Portsmouth).The
Brave Conduct during a visit to Southern Diving Unit Unit Diving Southern to visit a during Conduct Brave fibreglass to move the tanks to safety. safety. to tanks the move to fibreglass
`Ruby' MURRAY with the Queens Commendation for for Commendation Queens the with MURRAY `Ruby' without hesitating he braved the falling, molten molten falling, the braved he hesitating without
FRANKLYN MVO recently presented AB(D) Simon Simon AB(D) presented recently MVO FRANKLYN There were two full petrol tanks in the vessel and and vessel the in tanks petrol full two were There
Flag Officer Surface Flotilla (FOSF) Rear Admiral P M M P Admiral Rear (FOSF) Flotilla Surface Officer Flag bucket and line and used sea water to douse the boat. boat. the douse to water sea used and line and bucket
BRAVERY AWARD FOR AB(D) SIMON MURRAY MURRAY SIMON AB(D) FOR AWARD BRAVERY
BRAVERY AWARD AWARD BRAVERY www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
SURF ZONE / VERY SHALLOW WATER DIVING
SURF ZONE/VERY SHALLOW WATER MINING: Since World War II clearing SZ and VSW mining has NEMESIS OR OXYMORON FOR AMPHIBIANS been the responsibility of Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT), now Naval Special Warfare Units (SEAL Reproduced by the kind petimsion of the author from an teams)'. While these diving teams have offered a article adapted from the Naval Review Although largely limited capability to counter such mines for some time, focused on the USN the parallels iiith the RN interest in the impetus to develop methods that are fully effective this growth area should be obvious. (ED). was only generated in the 1990s, after the Gulf War. Since then, the quest to acquire countermeasures to By Dougie the Dii.er this type of threat weapon, such as the Shallow Water Assault Breaching System,8 has gained much Introduction prominence in US Department of Defence procurement programs. Mine Countermeasures Over the past few years the United States Navy (USN) (MCM) has not enjoyed such a resurgence of interest, has reacted very vigorously to its inability to counter albeit now almost entirely focused toward "Mine sea mines in the surf zone (SZ - high water mark to Warfare Forward ... from the Sea" in the SZ and VSW,9 10 feet) and very shallow water (VSW - depths since the USN's embarrassment at the hands of a 10-40 feet). Ostensibly, such a threat might preclude nation without a navy during the Korean War. traditional amphibious landings leaving the Marine Notwithstanding this resurgent interest, its focus is Corps (USMC) impotent in its primary role. With the very narrow and diverts resources from conventional raison d'être of the Corps untenable, its very existence MCM systems. Only last month, Defence Secretary might be vulnerable. This reaction stems from William Cohen directed the Navy to re-evaluate its Operation Desert Storm where US forces perceived Mine Warfare programs.'° such a threat and considered that they were unable to deal with it, consequently amphibious operations Aim were inhibited.' The then Secretary of the Navy, H Lawrence Garrett, considered that in the future The aim of this paper is to re-assess the SZ and VSW amphibious assaults would be more probable. mine threat to amphibious assault operations and to Having learned lessons about recent neglect, he investigate whether the present US focus on SZ and declared "I, for one, have no intention of seeing the VSW MCM procurement sits well with current Navy someday forced to tell the President that we amphibious doctrine. In short, is this threat mostly can't do the job because we're unable to defeat hype and is the emphasis on it counter justified. enemy mines."2 Subsequent studies have presupposed the presence of SZ and VSW mines as Amphibious Operations and the Surf and a counter to over the beach amphibious assaults: Shallow Water Mine Threat "the prudent commander will assume that minefields will be encountered, even in the absence of Amphibious assaults are regarded as amongst the intelligence, because shallow water and beach mines most difficult of military operations. On the other are becoming ubiquitous."' While others offer at best hand, nearly all modern amphibious landings have a cursory threat assessment, for example: "Sea been successful." One of the multitude of weapons mines may be employed anywhere there is water .... available for defence against amphibious assault is The more important it is for friendly forces to utilise a the maritime mine, for use both close inshore in very particular water area, the more likely it is that enemy shallow water and in more distant deeper seas. forces will mine them."4 Which leads to the conclusion that without active Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Amphibious Doctrine. Most amphibious attacks such an absence of capability would be a 'show have been considered to be operations of choice that stopper's. Indeed, six years after the event, the hue can be used to advantage when the proper and cry has still not died down. circumstances arise.12 The USMC recognises that Major General Hanlon, the Director of Expeditionary amphibious operations will only succeed if the Warfare (N 85 Office of the CNO), was only recently principles of war are observed. The key ingredients quoted in the Naval Institute's 'Proceedings' are surprise, manoeuvre and timing; the ability to act championing the cause of the intelligent MCM before an opponent can react, even if he can mammal (Mk 7 dolphins, not Clearance Divers!). He reasonably anticipate the location of the blow. Thus stated "the sum of the Navy's effort to solve the MCM amphibious operations should be conducted where problem will have missed the mark if we fail in the they will succeed.13 This is also reflected in US Joint VSW zone."6 doctrine, "the amphibious operation exploits the element of surprise and capitalises on enemy 16 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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17 17
to the miner. They will likely comprise of landing craft, craft, landing of comprise likely will They miner. the to easily spotted. spotted. easily
very nature of shallow water limits the targets offered offered targets the limits water shallow of nature very pyramids, weighing up to a ton, a to up weighing pyramids, 33 33 and were therefore therefore were and
difficulties of laying mines in the SZ and VSW, the the VSW, and SZ the in mines laying of difficulties structures such as steel cruciforms or concrete concrete or cruciforms steel as such structures
is an inefficient use of assets. Notwithstanding the the Notwithstanding assets. of use inefficient an is permanence they were attached to large and heavy heavy and large to attached were they permanence
in VSW than are needed in deeper water: mining VSW VSW mining water: deeper in needed are than VSW in tank mines." However, to enjoy any degree of of degree any enjoy to However, mines." tank
needed to provide the same simple initial threat (SIT) threat initial simple same the provide to needed 25 25
prevailed. They were mainly waterproofed 'Teller' anti- 'Teller' waterproofed mainly were They prevailed.
target type. Accordingly many more mines are are mines more many Accordingly type. target In the SZ and VSW, anti-boat mines and obstacles obstacles and mines anti-boat VSW, and SZ the In
widths in the order of several yards depending on on depending yards several of order the in widths English Channel made up of buoyant and ground mines. mines. ground and buoyant of up made Channel English
front from an underwater explosion gives damage damage gives explosion underwater an from front At sea there was an abundance of barrier fields in the the in fields barrier of abundance an was there sea At
very narrow plume narrow very 24 24 where in deeper water the shock shock the water deeper in where
because of venting. Energy is vented upwards in a a in upwards vented is Energy venting. of because foreshore obstacles were laid. were obstacles foreshore 31 31
will inflict damage is drastically reduced in VSW VSW in reduced drastically is damage inflict will On the land alone, about 6.5 million mines and 500,000 500,000 and mines million 6.5 about alone, land the On
the beach. the 23 23 Further the plan range at which a mine mine a which at range plan the Further of millions of slave labourers and took years to complete. complete. to years took and labourers slave of millions of
be washed out to sea and then progress parallel to to parallel progress then and sea to out washed be anti-paratrooper pikes and barricades" required the toil toil the required barricades" and pikes anti-paratrooper
between 1994 and 1996 have shown how mines can can mines how shown have 1996 and 1994 between with guns up to 16 ins and walls 23 ft thick, fields of of fields thick, ft 23 walls and ins 16 to up guns with
Storm. 22 22 Mine burial and migration experiments experiments migration and burial Mine VSW were only a small part. Construction of the forts, forts, the of Construction part. small a only were VSW
exposed land mines in the sand during Desert Desert during sand the in mines land exposed massive, layered defence of which mines in the SZ and and SZ the in mines which of defence layered massive,
expose or wash away mines, much as wind erosion erosion wind as much mines, away wash or expose well to seaward to about 6 miles inland. It was a a was It inland. miles 6 about to seaward to well
the SZ." the 2 ' The effects of tidal rise and fall or surf may may surf or fall and rise tidal of effects The ' defend against Allied landings. The 'wall' stretched from from stretched 'wall' The landings. Allied against defend
technical difficulties associated with laying mines in in mines laying with associated difficulties technical the 'Atlantic Wall', the fortification of the French coast to to coast French the of fortification the Wall', 'Atlantic the
SZ and VSW Environment. Environment. VSW and SZ "There are many many are "There used extensively by the Germans in the construction of of construction the in Germans the by extensively used
World War II. II. War World Sea mines and beach obstacles were were obstacles beach and mines Sea
coastal seas." seas." coastal
the YaM with 45 lb of explosive intended for shallow shallow for intended explosive of lb 45 with YaM the Historical Perspectives Perspectives Historical
of explosive, intended for use in lakes and rivers and and rivers and lakes in use for intended explosive, of
moored contact mines are the Soviet YaRM with 6 lb lb 6 with YaRM Soviet the are mines contact moored the most dangerous course of action. action. of course dangerous most the
shallow draft shipping and landing craft. Older Older craft. landing and shipping draft shallow the most effective enemy course of action and if it is is it if and action of course enemy effective most the
between 10 to 60 ft and are primarily targeted against against targeted primarily are and ft 60 to 10 between factors will give an indication of whether mining is is mining whether of indication an give will factors
about 300 lb of TNT, are effective in depths of of depths in effective are TNT, of lb 300 about they are designed to threaten. The sum of these these of sum The threaten. to designed are they
a relatively small explosive charge for sea mines, mines, sea for charge explosive small relatively a susceptibility to countermeasures and the mission mission the and countermeasures to susceptibility
the British DRAGONFISH. British the 19 19 These weapons also have have also weapons These weapons, where mines may be laid, their their laid, be may mines where weapons,
are the Swedish ROCKAN, Swedish the are 17 17 the Italian MANTA Italian the destructive effect of mining, the efficacy of alternative alternative of efficacy the mining, of effect destructive 18 18 and and
more modern anti-invasion ground influence types types influence ground anti-invasion modern more mining include but are not limited to: the potential potential the to: limited not are but include mining
moored, controlled or buried varieties. Amongst the the Amongst varieties. buried or controlled moored, the likelihood of and threat posed by SZ and VSW VSW and SZ by posed threat and of likelihood the
charge attached. VSW mines can be of the bottom, bottom, the of be can mines VSW attached. charge and that in deeper water. The factors in determining determining in factors The water. deeper in that and
quite large structures albeit with a small explosive explosive small a with albeit structures large quite made between the impact of SZ and VSW mining mining VSW and SZ of impact the between made
mines. Exceptions are beach obstacles that may be be may that obstacles beach are Exceptions mines. mine threat." mine Nevertheless a distinction should be be should distinction a Nevertheless 29 29
Their small size and explosive content typify these these typify content explosive and size small Their Kuwait during the Gulf war was predominantly the the predominantly was war Gulf the during Kuwait
anti-invasion, controlled, buried or obstacle type. type. obstacle or buried controlled, anti-invasion, did not mount an amphibious operation against against operation amphibious an mount not did
SZ and VSW Mine Types. Mine VSW and SZ 16 16 SZ mines can be of the the of be can mines SZ amphibious operations. "The reason we [the US] US] [the we reason "The operations. amphibious
has had a significant impact on maritime and and maritime on impact significant a had has
implies a much greater defence in depth. depth. in defence greater much a implies SZ and VSW Mine Threat. Threat. Mine VSW and SZ In the past the mine threat threat mine the past the In
and more effective, will be in place which probably probably which place in be will effective, more and
as missiles and artillery, which are easier to deploy deploy to easier are which artillery, and missiles as of effort. effort. of
these weapons are used then other defences such such defences other then used are weapons these favoured by the miner for concentration and economy economy and concentration for miner the by favoured
against a defended beach. Further, it is likely that if if that likely is it Further, beach. defended a against expansive. Thus they do not offer choke points, points, choke offer not do they Thus expansive.
mines are laid then the amphibious assault will be be will assault amphibious the then laid are mines beaches and their approaches are normally normally are approaches their and beaches
is heavily defended. It is implicit that if SZ and VSW VSW and SZ if that implicit is It defended. heavily is conventional MCM techniques are effective. Landing Landing effective. are techniques MCM conventional
doctrine to avoid the direct approach if the objective objective the if approach direct the avoid to doctrine docking operations. In depths greater than 30 ft ft 30 than greater depths In operations. docking
operational artist is encouraged by amphibious amphibious by encouraged is artist operational and are concerned about sea room, squat" and and squat" room, sea about concerned are and
over rather than breached. than rather over 15 15 Therefore, the the Therefore, particularly if they are conducting flying operations operations flying conducting are they if particularly
that a minefield might be circumnavigated or stepped stepped or circumnavigated be might minefield a that draw about 30ft about draw will operate in deeper water, water, deeper in operate will 27 27
enemies to divert forces." divert to enemies 14 14 Doctrine also recognises recognises also Doctrine targets such as landing ships (LPD and LPH) which which LPH) and (LPD ships landing as such targets
The threat of an amphibious landing can induce induce can landing amphibious an of threat The resilient to mine shock. mine to resilient 26 26 Larger, more attractive attractive more Larger,
power at the most advantageous location and time. time. and location advantageous most the at power
with their air cushion and high speed, are quite quite are speed, high and cushion air their with
weaknesses by projecting and applying combat combat applying and projecting by weaknesses very small ships and hovercraft (LCAC). The latter, latter, The (LCAC). hovercraft and ships small very
SURF ZONE / VERY SHALLOW WATER DIVING DIVING WATER SHALLOW VERY / ZONE SURF www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
SURF ZONE / VERY SHALLOW WATER DIVING
While mined obstacles took a toll during the amphibious Persian Gulf War (1991). During Operation Desert Storm 35 phase of Operation Overlord, it was only at high water. an amphibious landing was not considered feasible Maritime forces farther out to sea were subjected to shelling, because of the sheer size of the Iraqi forces and the limited conventional mining, attack by E-Boats and the threat of strength of the Marine assault units.' Nevertheless, the 'Small Battle Units' such as midget submarines. Analysis Iraqis feared a flanking attack North or South of Kuwait City showed that mining, from all platforms, and the E-Boat by the Marine force poised offshore. Accordingly this threat scored most heavily and suffered least. Further, 80% of tied down considerable Iraqi forces that could have been E-Boat kills were caused by the mines that they laid.36 By used elsewhere:* Iraq had considerable anti-ship mine far the most effective maritime weapon was the 'Oyster', stocks deployed in a classic defensive barrier field, well not a VSW mine but a pressure activated naval mine laid in away from the beaches. This included a line of MANTA deeper water and targeted against larger ships. These mines which are arguably better suited to VSW as an anti- were laid by aircraft 10 days after the landing and were so invasion weapon46 but the Iraqis chose not to lay them effective at halting the logistic build-up they contributed there. Its purpose was to deny freedom of movement to greatly to the decision to abandon 'Omaha' beach in coalition maritime forces in the Northern Persian Gulf. Normandy.37 "German evaluations in mid June 1944 were Though the northernmost fields were in shallow Iranian that the Atlantic Wall had not lived up to its expectations."37 waters, this was to complete the circular pattern whose The majority of Allied casualties were inflicted by regular arc centred on Kuwait City. No mines were found on the German Army units and the landing forces found influence probable landing beaches47 or their immediate approaches mines in deeper water the real threat, not contact mines other than a few stray floaters washed ashore. These found in the SZ and VSW.38 minefields damaged the USS PRINCETON and USS TRIPOLI, incidents that caused maritime forces to Allied countermeasures against the VSW threat included be withdrawn East until Mine Countermeasures Vessels the employment of armoured landing craft in the assault39 (MCMVs) could clear a channel through from seaward. (which was normally at low tide to expose obstacles) and This left only a residual threat that would not inhibit an subsequent clearance by Underwater Demolition Teams amphibious operation significantly:* Nevertheless, much (UDTs) to reduce disruption to the logistic build-up. In was made of the US failures in MCM and the lack of a deeper water, mine sweeping was the preferred tactic. covert capability to clear the surf zone, that would avoid Though countering over 500 magnetic, acoustic and compromising the intent to land. That there were "no contact mines this technique was ineffective against acceptable procedures for clearing mines"49 in the surf zone 'Oysters' whose pressure sensor could not be swept. and very shallow water was perceived to be an amphibious show stopper. In the event, the coalition launched a land Korean War. During this war, North Korean forces laid offensive which outflanked Iraqi forces and, in the end, thousands of mines, ranging from indigenous buoyant, probably proved a more effective tactic than an amphibious contact or controlled mines, to small quantities of a more assault and was one which was in accord with current modern Soviet ground mines using a magnetic sensor. doctrine. They were laid on both the east and west coasts in fields stretching from harbours and port approaches to about Summary. Mining the SZ and in VSW was last conducted 10 miles offshore. The delay of landings at Wonsan for during World War II but was not as effective in disrupting more than two weeks was the most notable example of amphibious operations as more conventional deeper water the effect of mines on amphibious operations. The seas mining. Since then there have been no recorded cases of were eventually cleared by mine sweepers and UDTs once such mining to thwart over the beach amphibious landings. the settings of the new 1,800 lb magnetic mines were Doctrine recognises the great utility of amphibious forces known.4° There was no deliberate mining of the surf zone in striking where the enemy is not. Mining the SZ is difficult and while those inshore may have technically been in VSW, and VSW restricts the size of targets which are presented they were laid in the harbour and shipping channels.41 The therefore this tactic is operationally ineffective on its own. only mines found along the beaches were the many Therefore it is normally a small part of much more extensive buoyant contact ones that had broken loose from their fortifications, indicating a long war over several years rather moorings and washed ashore.42 The Wonsan encounter than the short sharp engagements of more modern times was vastly different from that experienced earlier at Inchon. such as in the Falklands or Persian Gulf. In developing a There "the audacity and timing of the amphibious assault capability to breach a latent threat in the SZ or VSW will caught the communists by surprise;" they had not had the future forces be tempted to breach by brute force rather opportunity to lay mines in significant numbers:* The than exercise operational art and manoeuvre? Inchon offensive was an excellent example of a 'text book' Admiral Woodward noted the shortcomings of such amphibious operation that relates closely to current doctrine. doctrine and described its practitioners as those "... whose instinct in the field of amphibious assault has usually been to go straight through the front door, kicking it down whether 18 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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19 19
minefield reconnaissance picture. reconnaissance minefield 54 54 In conjunction with with conjunction In
to provide an accurate over the horizon (OTH) clandestine clandestine (OTH) horizon the over accurate an provide to
hunting UUV is intended to be launched from a submarine submarine a from launched be to intended is UUV hunting stood the test of time. time. of test the stood
reconnaissance is the Navy's top UUV priority. This mine mine This priority. UUV top Navy's the is reconnaissance not undermine current doctrinal considerations, which have have which considerations, doctrinal current undermine not
Undersea Vehicle (UUV) for clandestine mine mine clandestine for (UUV) Vehicle Undersea frontal assault seem feasible, even attractive, but it should should it but attractive, even feasible, seem assault frontal
of mines in the SZ and VSW." Accordingly, the Unmanned Unmanned the Accordingly, VSW." and SZ the in mines of for breaching SZ and VSW minefields may make such a a such make may minefields VSW and SZ breaching for
and techniques must be developed to overcome the threat threat the overcome to developed be must techniques and alternative must surely be better. The availability of a means means a of availability The better. be surely must alternative
considers that in order to achieve this a tool box of tactics tactics of box tool a this achieve to order in that considers amphibious assault will not be the tactic of choice; an an choice; of tactic the be not will assault amphibious
troops." 52 52 Nevertheless, the US Marine Corps (USMC) (USMC) Corps Marine US the Nevertheless, Therefore, in accordance with current doctrine. an an doctrine. current with accordance in Therefore,
casualties arise endangers our objectives as well as our our as well as objectives our endangers arise casualties will be more easily determined than that of SZ/VSW mines. mines. SZ/VSW of that than determined easily more be will
"reflexive calls for early withdrawal of our forces as soon as as soon as forces our of withdrawal early for calls "reflexive part of a robust, layered defence. The existence of which which of existence The defence. layered robust, a of part
variance with the US President who recognises that that recognises who President US the with variance and tactical efficacy indicates that they are very likely to be be to likely very are they that indicates efficacy tactical and
and societal demands for inexpensive victory." inexpensive for demands societal and deployable weapons.Accordingly if encountered. history history encountered. if weapons.Accordingly deployable 51 51 This is at at is This
requirement" and acknowledges "an intolerance of attrition attrition of intolerance "an acknowledges and requirement" a 'show stopper' like other tactics which use more easily easily more use which tactics other like stopper' 'show a
(OMFTS) regards "forcible entry [from the sea] as a national national a as sea] the [from entry "forcible regards (OMFTS) In isolation a minefield in the SZ or VSW will not amount to to amount not will VSW or SZ the in minefield a isolation In
The US White paper, Operational Manoeuvre from the Sea Sea the from Manoeuvre Operational paper, White US The
focus of maritime warfare has moved inshore to the littoral. littoral. the to inshore moved has warfare maritime of focus more potent in deeper water. water. deeper in potent more
Since the demise of the Warsaw pact and the USSR, the the USSR, the and pact Warsaw the of demise the Since VSW mining is an inefficient use of weapons which are are which weapons of use inefficient an is mining VSW
Indeed it has not been so employed since WWII. SZ SZ WWII. since employed so been not has it Indeed and and
Amphibious Operations. Operations. Amphibious very limited value and has not lived up to expectation. expectation. to up lived not has and value limited very
Future Development in SZNSW MCM and and MCM SZNSW in Development Future amphibious assault. Historically, this tactic has been of of been has tactic this Historically, assault. amphibious
difficulty, in an effort to counter an over the beach beach the over an counter to effort an in difficulty,
inexpensive nuisance. nuisance. inexpensive SZ and VSW mines can be deployed, the former with with former the deployed, be can mines VSW and SZ
not change their fundamental purpose; that of an an of that purpose; fundamental their change not
measured pace and be of limited significance, which will will which significance, limited of be and pace measured Conclusion Conclusion
be ruled out, it is suggested that changes will be at a a at be will changes that suggested is it out, ruled be
While further development of these threat weapons cannot cannot weapons threat these of development further While of choice. choice. of
highly unlikely that an amphibious assault will be the tactic tactic the be will assault amphibious an that unlikely highly
greatly reduced. reduced. greatly VSW mines are part of a more robust layered defence it is is it defence layered robust more a of part are mines VSW
global resources to improve these weapons have been been have weapons these improve to resources global to displaying determination. On the other hand, if SZ and and SZ if hand, other the On determination. displaying to
major player in mine warfare research and development, development, and research warfare mine in player major may expose an intolerance of attrition which runs counter counter runs which attrition of intolerance an expose may
missiles. Also, with the demise of the Soviet Union, the the Union, Soviet the of demise the with Also, missiles. great an emphasis on the procurement of countermeasures countermeasures of procurement the on emphasis an great
require fewer numbers, such as shore based anti-ship anti-ship based shore as such numbers, fewer require can only be expected to inflict limited casualties, then too too then casualties, limited inflict to expected be only can
systems which employ more advanced principles and and principles advanced more employ which systems policy maker. policy 58 58 On the one hand, if SZ and VSW mines mines VSW and SZ if hand, one the On
more expensive, they may out price other, more capable capable more other, price out may they expensive, more ascertain if it is primarily driven by the state of mind of the the of mind of state the by driven primarily is it if ascertain
their relatively low cost. Further, in making these weapons weapons these making in Further, cost. low relatively their perceived problem thoroughly to vet its credibility or or credibility its vet to thoroughly problem perceived
will increase. This will negate one of their great advantages: advantages: great their of one negate will This increase. will overcoming a problem but is important to investigate the the investigate to important is but problem a overcoming
potential for development but, in so doing, their unit cost cost unit their doing, so in but, development for potential force. Clearly research and development is motivated by by motivated is development and research Clearly force.
for further development. Nevertheless, mines do show show do mines Nevertheless, development. further for shore to achieve a rapid logistic build-up for the follow on on follow the for build-up logistic rapid a achieve to shore
mine types function perfectly well which is a disincentive disincentive a is which well perfectly function types mine and sustained from 0TH, heavy shipping must close the the close must shipping heavy 0TH, from sustained and
Technically rather than tactically, the vast array of existing existing of array vast the tactically, than rather Technically landing. 57 57 However, while the assault can be launched launched be can assault the while However,
largely obviated the threat mines pose to an amphibious amphibious an to pose mines threat the obviated largely
SZ and VSW Mine Development Development Mine VSW and SZ some military planners consider these vehicles to have have to vehicles these consider planners military some
plume is visually threatening it is of less danger. Indeed Indeed danger. less of is it threatening visually is plume
waters. waters. transmitted efficiently through water, and though the spray spray the though and water, through efficiently transmitted
the benign environment of meandering rivers and inland inland and rivers meandering of environment benign the the highly damaging explosive shock pulses, which are are which pulses, shock explosive damaging highly the
difficulty and effort. These weapons are better suited to to suited better are weapons These effort. and difficulty susceptible to underwater shock. The air cushion dissipates dissipates cushion air The shock. underwater to susceptible
exists to mine the SZ the return is disproportionate to the the to disproportionate is return the SZ the mine to exists cushion and in deeper water, its speed, it is not very very not is it speed, its water, deeper in and cushion
mined as an anti-invasion tactic. Although the technology technology the Although tactic. anti-invasion an as mined this craft will actuate influence mines but by virtue of its air air its of virtue by but mines influence actuate will craft this
was the last recorded occasion where the SZ has been been has SZ the where occasion recorded last the was ashore with a speed of 40 Kts. 40 of speed a with ashore 56 56 Immune to contact mines, mines, contact to Immune
and therefore able to weaken national resolve. World War II II War World resolve. national weaken to able therefore and LCAC is a hovercraft that can transport a main battle tank tank battle main a transport can that hovercraft a is LCAC
about a few casualties being disproportionately important important disproportionately being casualties few a about can transit at much higher speeds than a helicopter. The The helicopter. a than speeds higher much at transit can
limited casualties. This raises the conceptual argument argument conceptual the raises This casualties. limited MV-22 is a vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft that that aircraft (VTOL) landing and off take vertical a is MV-22
vehicles, small anti-landing mines are likely to inflict only only inflict to likely are mines anti-landing small vehicles, Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) are examples. are (LCAC) Cushion Air Craft Landing 55 55 The The
armoured landing craft, air and hover craft as assault assault as craft hover and air craft, landing armoured to provide OTH launch platforms; the MV-22 aircraft and and aircraft MV-22 the platforms; launch OTH provide to
or not it happens to be locked."" With the employment of of employment the With locked."" be to happens it not or this program the Navy is modernising its amphibious fleet fleet amphibious its modernising is Navy the program this
SURF ZONE / VERY SHALLOW WATER DIVING DIVING WATER SHALLOW VERY / ZONE SURF www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
SURF ZONE / VERY SHALLOW WATER DIVING
The current allocation of resources to SZ and VSW MCM 23 C Church, T Holland and D Lundberg, NRL 6.2 Program, procurement is nice but not essential, the threat should be SurfZone/Mine Interaction presented at MIWARA meeting viewed in proportion and not overstated. Further, such Panama City 24/25 April 1997. procurement may focus attention on an intolerance of even 24 R H Cole, Underwater Explosions (1965), pp 393-394. light casualties that may be translated as a weakness in 25 Simple Initial Threat is the measure of effectiveness of a resolve. Conventional mining, in deeper approaches, poses minefield given as the probability of ship/mine a much more potent threat to an amphibious assault, interaction. It is dependent on the number of mines in a particularly in delaying the subsequent logistic build-up. field, the area covered by the field and the daniage While there is only a very limited SZNSW MCM capability, radius of the mine. if current doctrine is adhered to there is no robust argument 26 L C Gerken, Mine Warfare Technology(1989), p 109. to improve it and if it is not needed there is therefore not a 27 R Sharpe, Jane's Fighting Ships (1993), p 794. capability gap. 28 Squat. A ship will sit deeper in the water when underway in shallows. Recommendation 29 Admiral W J Krowe Jr, USN, The Line of Fire (1993), p 326. MCM resources should be focused at the most likely and 3° D G Chandler and J L Collins, D-Day Encyclopaedia most dangerous threat to the amphibious assault. Only (1994), p 101. then should surplus resources be allocated to counter 31 A F Wilt, The Atlantic Wall (1975), pp 121-123. peripheral threats 32 S E Ainbrose, D-Day (1994), p 126. As SZ and VSW MCM becomes increasingly effective it 33 Wilt, n 31, p 120. should not be viewed as an enabling capability to the 34 Ladd,n21,p233. detriment of more proficient action recommended by 35 Arnbrose, n 32, p362. doctrine. 36 K JR Langinaid, The Approadies are Mined (1965), pp 240-242. ' Friedman, Desert Victory (1991), p 212. 37 M Griffiths, The Hidden Menace (1981), pp 133-134. 2 T M Cashman, Sweeping Changes for Mine Warfare: 38 Chandler, n 30, p 367, Controlling the Mine Threat (1994), p 25. 39 A D Baker III, Allied Landing Craft of WWII (1985), M M Aylward, Mines in the SurfZone: a proposed LCA Armoured. Breaching Concept (1994), p 10. 4° Gatchel, n 11, p 182. 4 A A Acikins and D P Burnette, Solving the MCM Problem: 41 TM Melia, Damn the Torpedoes (1991), p 71. a matter of Focus and Priority (1996), p 11. 5 42 A S Lott, A Most Dangerous Sea (1959), p 277. 5 ibid, p 27. 43 Cdr N B Atkins USN (Office of CNO), MW in Korea S C Truver and R Nagle, Foundering on Rocks, Shoals (1951), p2. and Mines, Naval Institute Proceedings, August 1997, " Friedman, n 1, p 66. p 56. 45 ibid, p 140. Truver, n 6, p 52. 46 Office of CNO, n 16, p45. 8 W J Perry, Report of the Secretapy of Defence to the 47 Friedman,n1,p211. President and Congress (1996), p 166. 48 ibid, p213. 9 Office of CNO, US Navy Mine Warfare Plan 1996-1997 49 L M Hunt, In Sride, Naval Institute proceedings, April (1996), Appendix C. 1994, p 60. (1992), p 10 "Cohen directs Navy to reevaluate spending cuts to Mine 5° Admiral J Woodward, One Hundred Days Warfare programs.- Inside the Navy, 132. 15 December 1997, p 1. 51 USMC, Operational Manoeuvre from the Sea (1993), 11 T L Gatchel, At the Water's Edge (1996), p 1. pp 1-2. 12 ibid, p 208. 52 The White House, A National Security Strategy for 13 USMC, The Role ofthe Marine Corps (1991), p3-iS. Engagement and Enlargement (1996), p 19. (1994), p 22. 14 US Joint Pub 3-02, pp I-I. 53 USMC, Joint Countermine Operations 15 US Joint Pub 3-15, pp IV-17. 54 Joim H Dalton, Secretary of the Navy, Posture 16 Office of CNO, US Navy Mine Warfare Plan 1994-1995 Statement (1996), p 49. (1994), p4. 55 ibid, p 45. 17 ibid, p 45. 56 Sharpe, n 27, p 830. 18 B H L Blake, Jane's Weapon Systems (1988), p 521. 57 Gatchel, n 11, p213. 19 ibid, p531. 58 G K Hartmann, Weapons That Wait' MW in the USN (1991), 2° ibid, p 527. PP 211-214. 21 J D Ladd, Assault from the Sea (1976), p 228. 22 Friedman, n 1, p233. 20 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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21 21
HMS ROEBUCK(SurveyVesssel - FDU 02 Embarked) Embarked) 02 FDU - ROEBUCK(SurveyVesssel HMS minelayer. minelayer.
Support platform) platform) Support and besides jetty is already taken by Portugese Portugese by taken already is jetty besides and
HMS CARLSKRONA(Swedish Minelayer - Command/ Command/ - Minelayer CARLSKRONA(Swedish HMS assurances months ago) that no berthing plan exists exists plan berthing no that ago) months assurances
plan for our large Task Group. Discover (despite (despite Discover Group. Task large our for plan
ILVISWS CARLSKRONA (ex minelayer- minelayer- (ex CARLSKRONA ILVISWS 11011 'container 'container 11011 ship) ship) into Portugese Naval Jetty office to discuss berthing berthing discuss to office Jetty Naval Portugese into
and make arrangements for RN ships. Decide to call call to Decide ships. RN for arrangements make and
worked manfully to line up our exercise signal traffic traffic signal exercise our up line to manfully worked
0900 Depart for docks to meet ROEBUCK who has has who ROEBUCK meet to docks for Depart 0900
Friday 6 March March 6 Friday
may be realistic starting point. point. starting realistic be may
chauffeur - suggest "Can you see the steering wheel?" wheel?" steering the see you "Can suggest - chauffeur
for airport. Give impromptu eye test to any would-be would-be any to test eye impromptu Give airport. for
Open passport and check ownership before leaving leaving before ownership check and passport Open
Lessons learned/hot tips tips learned/hot Lessons
oncoming headlights. headlights. oncoming
blindness and is unable to read road signs or see see or signs road read to unable is and blindness
allocated the following assets: assets: following the allocated 1) who has kindly come to meet us, suffers from night night from suffers us, meet to come kindly has who 1)
the Amphibious Operating Area. To do this he was was he this do To Area. Operating Amphibious the airport during which discovered that FSU driver(HGV Class Class driver(HGV FSU that discovered which during airport
Commander charged with reducing the mine threat in in threat mine the reducing with charged Commander 2230 Arrive Portimao after nightmare journey from Faro Faro from journey nightmare after Portimao Arrive 2230
MCM2, Commander Alan Rycroft, was MCM MCM was Rycroft, Alan Commander MCM2,
would withdraw the peacekeepers and entitled civilians, civilians, entitled and peacekeepers the withdraw would order faxed from Squadron office. office. Squadron from faxed order
eventually, protection of an amphibious force which which force amphibious an of protection eventually, passport control on strength of ID card and NATO travel travel NATO and card ID of strength on control passport
forces were tasked with embargo operations and, and, operations embargo with tasked were forces telephone calls/begging BA staff, I pass through security/ security/ through pass I staff, BA calls/begging telephone
within the imaginary country of Azure. The maritime maritime The Azure. of country imaginary the within *******PASSPORT! After minor heart failure/many failure/many heart minor After *******PASSPORT!
peacekeeping force keeping apart two warring factions factions warring two apart keeping force peacekeeping up the wrong passport. I HAVE PICKED UP THE WRONG WRONG THE UP PICKED HAVE I passport. wrong the up
Crisis South where the scenario involved a UN UN a involved scenario the where South Crisis flick to phot to see wife staring back at me. I have picked picked have I me. at back staring wife see to phot to flick
sports nor chilblains, I was happy to be participating in in participating be to happy was I chilblains, nor sports well I could black cat Quasimodo with my specimen I I specimen my with Quasimodo cat black could I well
peninsula(Crisis South). Not an ardent lover of winter winter of lover ardent an Not South). peninsula(Crisis passport photographs with much mirth. Knowing fine fine Knowing mirth. much with photographs passport
Sea(Crisis North), the other in and around the Iberian Iberian the around and in other the North), Sea(Crisis flight to Faro. SEO/SMEO are comparing hideous hideous comparing are SEO/SMEO Faro. to flight
simultaneous major crises, one set in the northern North North northern the in set one crises, major simultaneous
1430 1430 Arrive Gatwick. Nearing head of BA queue for for queue BA of head Nearing Gatwick. Arrive
designed to test NATO's ability to respond to two two to respond to ability NATO's test to designed
other lucky people who took part in SR98, an exercise exercise an SR98, in part took who people lucky other Thursday 05 March March 05 Thursday
To put the article in context, I was one of 40,000 or so so or 40,000 of one was I context, in article the put To
German. What could be simpler? simpler? be could What German.
those who worked for and with MCM2 during SR98. SR98. during MCM2 with and for worked who those Task Group with a Practice Programme drawn up by a a by up drawn Programme Practice a with Group Task
Mild entertainment/education for all but particularly for for particularly but all for entertainment/education Mild as command platform, working initially for a Portugese Portugese a for initially working platform, command as
straightforward - 14 units, 6 languages, a Swedish ship ship Swedish a languages, 6 units, 14 - straightforward
Pitfalls to avoid if you are cornered into doing it anyway anyway it doing into cornered are you if avoid to Pitfalls exercise, we were not expecting anything to be be to anything expecting not were we exercise,
Portimao on 05 March to complete final preps for the the for preps final complete to March 05 on Portimao
enough to volunteer to serve in an MCMTA MCMTA an in serve to volunteer to enough Fairly obvious, then, that when MCM2 staff arrived in in arrived staff MCM2 when that then, obvious, Fairly
A warning to anyone who might in the future be foolish foolish be future the in might who anyone to warning A
SNS GUADALMEDINA(Minehunter) GUADALMEDINA(Minehunter) SNS
who man the MCM Tasking Authority(TA) Authority(TA) Tasking MCM the man who SNS GUDIANA(Minehunter) GUDIANA(Minehunter) SNS
An insight into the scimitar-like, incisive intellect of those those of intellect incisive scimitar-like, the into insight An PNS PIAST(Polish Search and Rescue Vessel) Vessel) Rescue and Search PIAST(Polish PNS
NRP SCHULZ XAVIER(Diving Support Vessel) Vessel) Support XAVIER(Diving SCHULZ NRP
RESOLVE 98(SR 98). The article is intended as: as: intended is article The 98). 98(SR RESOLVE FS STYX(Diving Support Vessel) Vessel) Support STYX(Diving FS
March 5 - 23 1998, the period of Exercise STRONG STRONG Exercise of period the 1998, 23 - 5 March FS ANDROMEDE (Tripartite) (Tripartite) ANDROMEDE FS
following article is based on extracts from my diary for for diary my from extracts on based is article following FS CEPHEE(Tripartite) CEPHEE(Tripartite) FS
never be allowed to get in the way of a good dit, the the dit, good a of way the in get to allowed be never FS CROIX DU SUD(Tripartite) SUD(Tripartite) DU CROIX FS
Working strictly to the MCD tenet that the truth should should truth the that tenet MCD the to strictly Working HMS CHIDDINGFOLD CHIDDINGFOLD HMS
HMS WALNEY WALNEY HMS
By LT CDR Bernie Thompson SOO MCM2. MCM2. SOO Thompson Bernie CDR LT By HMS LEDBURY LEDBURY HMS
THE MCMTA PERSPECTIVE PERSPECTIVE MCMTA THE
EXERCISE STRONG RESOLVE 98 98 RESOLVE STRONG EXERCISE www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
EXERCISE STRONG RESOLVE 98 THE MCMTA PERSPECTIVE
Further discoveries include: may have been close pass for recce purposes (this was later confirmed - she had no chart of Portimao). • Civilian and naval dockyard don't talk to each other UK/FR Group arrives with style, faultless berthing and • No-one is aware that FR/UK group will be late all in good spirits following flat calm passage for last due to heavy weather in Biscay. 36 hrs. • Minelay for the first phase of the exercise is in jeopardy because half the mines are arriving It appears the minelay plan will still work and will in the French ships(so will be adrift) commence tomorrow, Portugese minelayer and • Berth allocated for CARLSKRONA has FDU2(safely arrived, thank God) will lay half of French Portugese survey vessel on it anti-invasion mines in shallow water for first phase of • A large passenger liner will berth Monday so Exercise leaving other half on jetty for transfer to all ships must be clear of the jetty by 0700 Spanish waters for second phase. Very smug SOO (3 hours early) and SCPO admit that they love it when a plan comes When the Polish vessel PIAST does together. arrive(she is already late) she will not be allowed to berth in the commercial port as planned Lessons learned/hot tips because she can't pay the harbour fees. Never be smug and say you love it when a plan comes SOO takes stock - having planned this show for 12 together months, attended two major planning conferences, organized and chaired a dedicated MCM conference Sunday 08 March and spent the GDP of a small African state on telephone calls, FAXs and signals, the plan looks as if CARLSKRONA arrives Portimao. Aims for the day it is unravelling before me. include: Onload FSU stores/personnel. Load and establish the TA/personnel. Boss brings heartening news at dinner - the UK/FR Conduct briefings. group is through the roughers, making good time and Ensure the group is ready to conduct will arrive tomorrow instead of Monday and the a two week exercise from the sea. Harbour Master, having been lashed up at lunch by Complete the mine lay for the work-up ROEBUCK, has undertaken to sort out all our berthing phase of the exercise. problems. Mid - morning. SCPO Taff Hembrow reports that the Back at hotel receive call from OIC FDU02. Unit allocated area for the TA is totally inadequate as it is almost containing all equipment and towing trailer with RIB completely taken up by the Minewarfare Tactical Support has broken down approximately 3 hours out of System (MTSS - our "portable" computer weighing as much Portimao. FSU quickly organize transport to rescue as an Indian elephant). Two minutes after being asked, divers, decant stores and recover trailer. Drift off to our Swedish hosts find us an alternative space in a lecture sleep with worried dreams that FSUO has despatched room roughly the size of a CVS hanger. night blind driver who will write off team on return journey.
Lessons learned/hot tips
Never believe anyone who tells you in a foreign accent "it's all sorted out". Ring QHM's MOVO regularly and tell him he is providing the best service in the world. Don't worry about things over which you have no control (eg the entire Exercise so far).
Saturday 07 March
Totally confused at breakfast as I watch PIAST enter SOO briefs' the dangers of sun stroke then leave harbour, then re-enter. Assess first attempt 22 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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23 23
ship PL4ST PL4ST ship timings for mine recovery. recovery. mine for timings
FDU 02 prepare rat prepare 02 FDU - - VS W" reconnaissance on board the Polish Polish the board on reconnaissance W" VS I remain very calm but make mental note to rethink rethink to note mental make but calm very remain I
also laying the mines intended for the second phase." phase." second the for intended mines the laying also
ALL. A minor misunderstanding has led to my team team my to led has misunderstanding minor A ALL.
turn "No, Bernie - when I say all the mines I mean mean I mines the all say I when - Bernie "No, turn
Excellent, says I. The conversation then takes a funny funny a takes then conversation The I. says Excellent,
laid in the boat lanes for the first phase of the Exercise. Exercise. the of phase first the for lanes boat the in laid
Meanwhile OIC FDU reports that all mines have been been have mines all that reports FDU OIC Meanwhile
onload. onload.
Meanwhile FSU have worked miracles and completed completed and miracles worked have FSU Meanwhile
ship's teams on the contents of the brief. brief. the of contents the on teams ship's
after the crowd disperses spent debriefing individual individual debriefing spent disperses crowd the after
Meeting. Result - approximately an hour and a half half a and hour an approximately - Result Meeting.
Botched Lobotomy Association's Annual General General Annual Association's Lobotomy Botched
to the TG, he might just as well be addressing the the addressing be well as just might he TG, the to
stands up to brief the environmental products available available products environmental the brief to up stands
be left on the sidelines. sidelines. the on left be but by the time the last speaker, Lt Cdr John Staveley, Staveley, John Cdr Lt speaker, last the time the by but
attack packages for MCMTG agreed, we might again again might we agreed, MCMTG for packages attack working with the TA for the Exercise steps up next, next, up steps Exercise the for TA the with working
having attended CET Planning Conference where where Conference Planning CET attended having scene when Lt Thierry Arnoult, a French Officer Officer French a Arnoult, Thierry Lt when scene
enemy or otherwise. Sinking feeling that despite despite that feeling Sinking otherwise. or enemy normally reserved for SATCOM. I can't describe the the describe can't I SATCOM. for reserved normally
that there is no contact with the rest of the CET forces, forces, CET the of rest the with contact no is there that deepest of the valleys. Speaking at a baud rate rate baud a at Speaking valleys. the of deepest
ENCOUNTEREX also uneventful, so uneventful in fact fact in uneventful so uneventful, also ENCOUNTEREX tasking) comes Taff Hembrow. Welsh. From the the From Welsh. Hembrow. Taff comes tasking)
reports and the mine threat (all vital stuff given our our given stuff vital (all threat mine the and reports
completion. completion. a distant whistle. Then, with his brief on records, records, on brief his with Then, whistle. distant a
uneventful 00W Manouvres with all ships afloat on on afloat ships all with Manouvres 00W uneventful one side a bit like labrador puppies trying to decipher decipher to trying puppies labrador like bit a side one
Delighted. astonished and very relieved to see see to relieved very and astonished Delighted. Portugese and some French have heads cocked to to cocked heads have French some and Portugese
a bit, but no questions. Yeoman next. Scouser. Poles, Poles, Scouser. next. Yeoman questions. no but bit, a
Combat Enhancement Training Day Two Two Day Training Enhancement Combat I detect some slightly furrowed brows, necks craned craned necks brows, furrowed slightly some detect I
comprehended. Next SMEO, from Northern Ireland - Ireland Northern from SMEO, Next comprehended.
Tuesday 10 March March 10 Tuesday some odd turns of phrase, but generally generally but phrase, of turns odd some
going well. I then hand over to SEO - midlands man, man, midlands - SEO to over hand then I well. going
protecting assets for tonight's ENCOUNTEREX. ENCOUNTEREX. tonight's for assets protecting Nods of agreement and smiles indicate things are are things indicate smiles and agreement of Nods
changes and why we have heard nothing from our our from nothing heard have we why and changes keep content to a minimum whilst speaking dead slow. slow. dead speaking whilst minimum a to content keep
Programme, who the hell is promulgating all the the all promulgating is hell the who Programme, all participants understand all the brief and therefore therefore and brief the all understand participants all
figure out which is the definitive CET Practice Practice CET definitive the is which out figure national garlic shortage. Am very keen to ensure that that ensure to keen very Am shortage. garlic national
Minehunters hunting, divers diving, SOO trying to to trying SOO diving, divers hunting, Minehunters Saturday night with express aim of creating Portugese Portugese creating of aim express with night Saturday
By COP all units at sea in CET EXAS off Portimao. Portimao. off EXAS CET in sea at units all COP By (in room designed for 15) who have all been out on on out been all have who 15) for designed room (in
1400 - Pre sail Briefing. Attended by about 60 people people 60 about by Attended Briefing. sail Pre - 1400
an ISO container. container. ISO an
A A truly international audience enjol audience international truly - - jet another first class brief brief class first another jet positively agoraphobic for a team used to working in in working to used team a for agoraphobic positively
surroundings with embarrassment of desk space - space desk of embarrassment with surroundings
TA/MTSS fully up and running in spacious spacious in running and up fully TA/MTSS
Manful efforts by SCPO and TA Watch keepers meant meant keepers Watch TA and SCPO by efforts Manful
command team. team. command
remains alongside AM to refuel/water her and to brief brief to and her refuel/water to AM alongside remains
movement and late arrival of WALNEY - CARLSKRONA CARLSKRONA - WALNEY of arrival late and movement
accommodate aforementioned passenger liner liner passenger aforementioned accommodate
largest TG in a "one-er" thwarted by musical ships to to ships musical by thwarted "one-er" a in TG largest
Commander's long held dream of sailing SR98s SR98s sailing of dream held long Commander's
Combat Enhancement Training Day One One Day Training Enhancement Combat
Monday 09 March March 09 Monday
THE MCMTA PERSPECTIVE PERSPECTIVE MCMTA THE
EXERCISE STRONG RESOLVE 98 98 RESOLVE STRONG EXERCISE www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
EXERCISE STRONG RESOLVE 98 THE MCMTA PERSPECTIVE
TOWEX/SALVEX also incident free although stark to do so, takes so much fuel from RHONE that we are differences in standards of shiphandling/seamanship/ convinced she has topped up her mess decks and cable safety/FF noted. Good to see PIAST, whose role is locker to sell the stuff on the black market at home. Search and Rescue, coming into her own although language barrier very evident. Worryingly, the mine tote is not spectacular and includes precisely none of the Swedish ROCKANS laid. More FDU2 hard at work despite a wacky plan which has worryingly, weather deteriorating - it looks as if the them living in ROEBUCK but operating from PIAST majority of the CET mines will not be recovered by anchored close to shore for Very Shallow Water(VSW) ENDEX. On the bright side, FDU2 has got ahead of the MCM diving OPS. As ever, FDU just gets on with it game, sniffed the change in the weather and recovered with no complaints, only surfacing for food, a kip and all the shallow mines. to refuse yet another glass of vodka. Lessons learned - Hot tips
Book carrier aircraft for ADEXs. RAF does not like Algarve Golfing holidays interrupted by flying. Always take a Welshman along for exercises - stupendous entertainment Get a swap draft to a Tripartite(presently performing superbly) and take Swedish Supply Officer with you. Without a doubt consistently tastiest food ever eaten in a ship (also take ship's Nursing Officer due to striking resemblance to Ulrika Johnson)
Thursday 12 March
Combat Enhancement Training Day 4 Fears confirmed - MIRY not complete. Despite those mines remainining posing no danger whatsoever to FDL: 2 sjnchronize Tiatches and take beatings navigation or fishermen (who use lines and drift nets) Wednesday 11 March enormous brouhaha ensues in CINCIBERLANT HQ - we therefore leg it to avoid the bun fight and commence Combat Enhancement Training Day 3 150 mile transit to the Spanish Sierra Del Retin (SDR)Exercise Areas just south of Cape Trafalgar for Good news - Partial victory for MCM force integration - Advance Force Ops ahead of the amphibious force. contact made with AAW Protection asset (Babysitter)during ADEX. Bad news? No sign of ADEX Friday 13 March aircraft except for fleeting glimpse of unidentifiable jet at ENDEX heading no doubt towards a large cooked Arrive SDR and conduct formation anchorage for breakfast and day by the pool. briefings. We have just two and a half days to reduce the threat in the Amphibious Operating Area(AOA) to The Squadron Staff Sherrif's badge, awarded during an acceptable level for the Commander Amphibious deployments for conspicuous acts of stupidity, is won Task Force (CATF - in our case Commander UK/NL for the first time in SR98 by Taff Hembrow when FGS Amphibious Group, Commodore Paul Stone RN in RHONE arrives mid-morning to RAS the TG. The Druid, FEARLESS). now in the groove of 20 hour days and insane workload glimpses up to see, through the nearest scuttle, a 1600 - Briefing for next phase. Thankfully less people tanker's slab side only a couple of feet away. He leaps attend brief and have resisted temptation to mainline up, screaming to the packed Ops Room -"Brace, brace, garlic. Two Spanish minehunters have joined the TG. brace, collision imminent!". When it is pointed out to Mood is up beat, CET allowed us to get used to him that the tanker is at anchor and we are rafting eachother and the shock for foreigners of spending two alongside, not fuelling underway, he is a touch whole weeks at sea is beginning to wear off. embarrassed. I of course promise that the story will go no further. The plan briefed is straightforward. CATF has nominated the Sea Echelon Area (SEAECH - the area PIAST, despite(as we later learned) having no clearance where the ships anchor to launch recover landing craft 24 www.mcdoa.org.uk
www.mcdoa.org.uk
25 25
that the babysitter has the other threats all sewn up. up. sewn all threats other the has babysitter the that
concentrate on the mine, comfortable in the knowledge knowledge the in comfortable mine, the on concentrate without a tinny. tinny. a without
would, in wartime, allow the MCM force to fully fully to force MCM the allow wartime, in would, and some FSU personnel have never gone so long long so gone never have personnel FSU some and
protection task seriously - only this sort of escort service service escort of sort this only - seriously task protection withdrawal symptoms. Swedish ships are dry at sea sea at dry are ships Swedish symptoms. withdrawal
of a NATO exercise where babysitters have taken the the taken have babysitters where exercise NATO a of sauna. I realise that their grouchiness is alcoholic alcoholic is grouchiness their that realise I sauna.
groundbreaking stuff and certainly my first experience experience first my certainly and stuff groundbreaking of chips/too much fish and uncomfortable benches in in benches uncomfortable and fish much chips/too of
will be likely to conduct babysitting. This really is is really This babysitting. conduct to likely be will hospitality at all levels, FSU engineers complain at lack lack at complain engineers FSU levels, all at hospitality
message, promulgating it as SOP for all other units who who units other all for SOP as it promulgating message, at every meal, chefs on call all night and genuine genuine and night all call on chefs meal, every at
DE WIT arrives on station with an outstanding joining joining outstanding an with station on arrives WIT DE also baking bread for MMs. Despite 3 choices of salad salad of choices 3 Despite MMs. for bread baking also
on/stop on protection units for MCM TG. HNLMS WITTE WITTE HNLMS TG. MCM for units protection on on/stop CARLSKRONA, as well as supplying fuel and water, is is water, and fuel supplying as well as CARLSKRONA,
Best news of the EX so far - MCC/CATF allocates watch watch allocates MCC/CATF - far so EX the of news Best
early hours puts effort bang in context. context. in bang effort puts hours early
impressed). impressed). and sight of heavies' nav lights looming over horizon in in horizon over looming lights nav heavies' of sight and
conversation with your MW counterparts who will be v v be will who counterparts MW your with conversation including boat lanes. CATF gets green light for landing landing for light green gets CATF lanes. boat including
divers please feel free to drop this acronym into into acronym this drop to free feel please divers SCHULZ, 2pc SIT achieved throughout SEAECH SEAECH throughout achieved SIT 2pc SCHULZ,
hit a mine, this is called the Simple Initial Threat or SIT - SIT or Threat Initial Simple the called is this mine, a hit Due FDU02/STYX herculean efforts in support of of support in efforts herculean FDU02/STYX Due
the probability that the first vessel to transit an area will will area an transit to vessel first the that probability the
Initial Threat (one way of expressing risk is in terms of of terms in is risk expressing of way (one Threat Initial Monday 16/Tuesday 17 March March 17 16/Tuesday Monday
SEAECH has already been reduced to a 20pc Simple Simple 20pc a to reduced been already has SEAECH
ahead. TA reports to CATF that the risk level in the the in level risk the that CATF to reports TA ahead. PN - FDUO2's GPS Plugger comes into its own) own) its into comes Plugger GPS FDUO2's - PN
Partnership for Peace cross-pol programme goes goes programme cross-pol Peace for Partnership (SCHULZ has been hampered throughout by lack of of lack by throughout hampered been has (SCHULZ
Ops by H Hour early on 17 March, an extensive extensive an March, 17 on early Hour H by Ops plan to give SCHULZ XAVIER a lift with their area. area. their with lift a XAVIER SCHULZ give to plan
surf zone and the tight deadline for completion of MCM MCM of completion for deadline tight the and zone surf respective boat lanes and, without having to be tasked, tasked, be to having without and, lanes boat respective
Despite defence watches, arduous conditions in the the in conditions arduous watches, defence Despite FDU 02 and STYX divers are nearing completion of their their of completion nearing are divers STYX and 02 FDU
All units firing on all cylinders and using bags of initiative. initiative. of bags using and cylinders all on firing units All
stand offs at anchor. anchor. at offs stand
training. training. participants), we start to rotate units through 12 hour hour 12 through units rotate to start we participants),
mines well spread throughout areas are providing quality quality providing are areas throughout spread well mines 7 days continuously at sea(a national record for some some for record national sea(a at continuously days 7
plan has done an excellent job - realistic numbers of of numbers realistic - job excellent an done has plan turn their attentions to other areas of the AOA and after after and AOA the of areas other to attentions their turn
John Law at CINCEASLANT who designed the mining mining the designed who CINCEASLANT at Law John lanes is now down to two percent, the hunters therefore therefore hunters the percent, two to down now is lanes
work, the risk level in the SEAECH outside the boat boat the outside SEAECH the in level risk the work,
you so. so. you Astonishingly, and thanks to some exceptionally hard hard exceptionally some to thanks and Astonishingly,
write off until your sonar and/or a dive or vehicle run tell tell run vehicle or dive a and/or sonar your until off write
briefing dockets about your OPAREA - the job's not a a not job's the - OPAREA your about dockets briefing Sunday 15 March March 15 Sunday
Don't believe everything you read in environmental environmental in read you everything believe Don't
(Nor will Des who nearly choked on his shower gel). gel). shower his on choked nearly who Des will (Nor
Lessons Learned Learned Lessons on board!) and will probably never be the same again. again. same the be never probably will and board!) on
SMEO, Des Grimsley, in his birthday suit (mixed showers showers (mixed suit birthday his in Grimsley, Des SMEO,
speed of advance and piling up mines on deck. deck. on mines up piling and advance of speed FDU 02 - no point in trying to steal Ulrika, she has seen seen has she Ulrika, steal to trying in point no - 02 FDU
column conditions achieving impressive hunting hunting impressive achieving conditions column
recce. Other ships also enjoying superb bottom/water bottom/water superb enjoying also ships Other recce. Lessons learned/Hot Tips Tips learned/Hot Lessons
Vis so good that she uses extended PAP runs for visual visual for runs PAP extended uses she that good so Vis
nowhere near as bad as reported and blitzes the area. area. the blitzes and reported as bad as near nowhere fast. fast.
CHIDDINGFOLD, first into the DSVA, finds conditions conditions finds DSVA, the into first CHIDDINGFOLD, prepare for him. Fred Truman didn't ever bowl em that that em bowl ever didn't Truman Fred him. for prepare
she has won visit and has a whole day in a minefield to to minefield a in day whole a has and visit won has she
a break. break. a Secretary of State for Defence. CHIDDINGFOLD told told CHIDDINGFOLD Defence. for State of Secretary
intervals to give frazzled COs/NOs/OPS Room teams teams Room COs/NOs/OPS frazzled give to intervals contamination and can therefore no longer host visit by by visit host longer no therefore can and contamination
OPAREA so ships will rotate through at 6 hourly hourly 6 at through rotate will ships so OPAREA LEDBURY limps to Rota with suspected hydraulic oil oil hydraulic suspected with Rota to limps LEDBURY
of the beach) this is a challenging and hazardous hazardous and challenging a is this beach) the of
navigational hazards(area within a couple of cables cables of couple a within hazards(area navigational thinking. thinking.
the nature of the sea bed (reportedly B1 bottom) and and bottom) B1 (reportedly bed sea the of nature the a wreck survey - another instance of initiative/lateral initiative/lateral of instance another - survey wreck a
name made up on the spot) must be cleared. Due to to Due cleared. be must spot) the on up made name ROEBUCK uses PIAST's salvage diving team to conduct conduct to team diving salvage PIAST's uses ROEBUCK
a Diving Support Vessel Anchorage (DSVA - a clever clever a - (DSVA Anchorage Vessel Support Diving a
MM. To allow VSW Ops to commence in the boat lanes lanes boat the in commence to Ops VSW allow To MM. all their time underwater they are looking mighty tanned). tanned). mighty looking are they underwater time their all
we have carved this into boxes each allocated to an an to allocated each boxes into this carved have we by offering her trip in their Gucci fast boat. (Considering (Considering boat. fast Gucci their in trip her offering by
etc) as his number one priority within the AOA and and AOA the within priority one number his as etc) FDU02 divers attempt to kidnap Nurse Ulrika Johnson Johnson Ulrika Nurse kidnap to attempt divers FDU02
THE MCMTA PERSPECTIVE PERSPECTIVE MCMTA THE
EXERCISE STRONG RESOLVE 98 98 RESOLVE STRONG EXERCISE www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
EXERCISE STRONG RESOLVE 98 THE MCMTA PERSPECTIVE
Wednesday 18 March to spend the weekend in Rota waiting for the Exercise Hot Wash Up on Monday 23 and had to put up with Bang on cue the weather turns nasty. The local wind, hot sand on the beach and sangria that was often known as the Levante, whips through the STROG and just too cold hugs the coast, causing a choppy short swell which Although I never thought I would hear myself say it, I also induces a current. PIAST, having been tasked by thoroughly enjoyed SR98, mostly for the following CATF to conduct TOWEX and SALVEX receives real reasons: tasking to stand by to take MEXE floats and other amphibs under tow if they get into difficulties in the surf. Boss and I visit CATF in FEARLESS using CARLSKRONA's assault boat which she has embarked for defence sales promotion. SOO amazes Swedes by sleeping for entire return trip at 40 knots in sea state 4. Boss unimpressed as he has seen SOO sleep through much worse.
Thursday 19 March
The Maritime Component Commander, FOSF, Rear Admiral Franklyn visits CARLSKRONA. TA team has Just one of the beaches a i ailable for RAF R&R dug out to show our working area at its best and Kiwi parade gloss has made annual visit to Yeoman's *The satisfaction of achieving the task given such a steaming bats. All is prepared for our distinguished seemingly disparate Task Group and a Partership for visitor and we wait to brief him on the MCM operation Peace command ship new to the task so far. Des Grimsley, meanwhile, is unable to resist the temptation to check the watertight integrity of the *Working with ships, diving units and FSUs who hydrant in the passageway just outside the TA and continually keep coming up with the goods despite eventually proves that the hose, charged for an earlier gapping and programmes from hell NBCDX, will disgorge its contents all over the flat and into SOO's boots if sufficiently twiddled with. Only 30 *Finally seeing the message get across that for seconds of manic activity with 500 Kimwipes and a amphibious operations the MCM forces are Mission bale of rags enables FOSF to avoid a 20 metre swim Essential Units who must be integrated and protected to his brief . *Working with the easily the least sane staff in NATO FOSF genuinely pleased with the performance of all - and I still can't believe that RNR Officers and Ratings units, particularly during the past few frantic days - volunteer to do this sort of thing during their leave! choc frogs all round.
Friday 20 March
TG begins to disperse as CARLSKRONA, ROEBUCK and SCHULTZ XAVIER head back to Portimao. CHIDDINGFOLD is despatched early to spend 24 hours attempting to recover mines laid for the first phase. WALNEY and LEDBURY head for UK to pick up their insanely busy programmes which don't even allow for a run ashore after almost a fortnight at sea.
Epilogue
The FSU unload from CARLSKRONA was again faultless and blood alcohol levels were allowed to gently normalize. I also have it on good authority that After a snorkel dip to 50 metres for mine recoiety PO Sidb. FDU2 enjoyed a restful day or so in Portimao before Seabrook discusses the date's catch returning to UK. For my part, MCM2 and I were forced 26 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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27 27
for IFOR/SFOR operations in the Former Republic of of Republic Former the in operations IFOR/SFOR for
heavily involved with Operational Analysis (OA) support support (OA) Analysis Operational with involved heavily
should happen - during the last few years PAT has been been has PAT years few last the during - happen should
DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT
ANALYSIS ANALYSIS subject to analysis by the PAT. I mentioned this is what what is this mentioned I PAT. the by analysis to subject
TACTICAL TACTICAL
(TORs) for the PAT - if it's not in the MAP then it will not be be not will it then MAP the in not it's if - PAT the for (TORs)
respect the document acts as the Terms of Reference Reference of Terms the as acts document the respect
NLLDB NLLDB selecting objectives for analysis by the PAT and in this this in and PAT the by analysis for objectives selecting
encouraged to use the MAP as a planning tool when when tool planning a as MAP the use to encouraged
Abbreviations (TLAs) - good! Exercise planners are are planners Exercise good! - (TLAs) Abbreviations
Centre (MWC) - keeping up with all these Three Letter Letter Three these all with up keeping - (MWC) Centre EXERCISE EXERCISE
published in May. The UK lead is the Maritime Warfare Warfare Maritime the is lead UK The May. in published
NATO analysis objectives and their priorities and is usually usually is and priorities their and objectives analysis NATO Lessons Learned Learned Lessons
This should be a rolling 5 year plan that lists national and and national lists that plan year 5 rolling a be should This
Team (PAT), to produce the Maritime Analysis Plan (MAP). (MAP). Plan Analysis Maritime the produce to (PAT), Team
quality control to separate cock-ups. cock-ups. separate to control quality
the chairmanship of the Director of the Permanent Analysis Analysis Permanent the of Director the of chairmanship the
lessons learnt from each live exercise are entered with no no with entered are exercise live each from learnt lessons
NATO Commands and meets annually in March, under under March, in annually meets and Commands NATO
The chief problem with the current data base is that all the the all that is base data current the with problem chief The
3.This panel comprises representatives of national and and national of representatives comprises panel 3.This
away. away.
(NMAPP for short) short) for (NMAPP
and all dancing data base is probably at least 3 or 4 years years 4 or 3 least at probably is base data dancing all and
NATO Maritime Analysis Planning Panel Panel Planning Analysis Maritime NATO
has the advantage that it already exists. The new all singing singing all new The exists. already it that advantage the has
Base. The current NLLDB is seen as its forerunner and and forerunner its as seen is NLLDB current The Base.
a complete Joint and Combined Lessons Learned Data Data Learned Lessons Combined and Joint complete a
etc. NATO has started work on a grandiose plan to establish establish to plan grandiose a on work started has NATO etc.
the MWC, the Netherlands Analysis and Tactical Centre Centre Tactical and Analysis Netherlands the MWC, the
OF WORK WORK OF
minewarfare) from a variety of originators who include PAT, PAT, include who originators of variety a from minewarfare)
MAP MAP PATPROGRAMME PATPROGRAMME
Edition 3 (98) contains almost 800 records (150 relate to to relate (150 records 800 almost contains (98) 3 Edition
NMAPP NMAPP Tactical Development Community. Community. Development Tactical
Exercise Planners. Planners. Exercise
LED/AED LED/AED 4 4 NECB NECB
Warfare Staffs. Staffs. Warfare
The Analysis Process Process Analysis The
customers: customers:
exercises and operations. It is aimed at 3 groups of of groups 3 at aimed is It operations. and exercises
Permanent Analysis Teams program of work. work. of program Teams Analysis Permanent experiences gained through tactical analysis of maritime maritime of analysis tactical through gained experiences
into establishing NATO's analysis priorities and the the and priorities analysis NATO's establishing into The NLLDB currently contains Lessons Learned and and Learned Lessons contains currently NLLDB The
2.11Iustrated below is the background planning that goes goes that planning background the is below 2.11Iustrated
A program for producing inputs to the data base. base. data the to inputs producing for program A
Background Planning Planning Background A sophisticated retrieval software. software. retrieval sophisticated A
Installation Installation software. software.
and the analysis achieved. achieved. analysis the and The data base. base. data The
This article will hopefully explain how the AOs are chosen chosen are AOs the how explain hopefully will article This
highlight areas of tactical development and/or deficiencies. deficiencies. and/or development tactical of areas highlight distributed on a 3.5" diskette and contains the following: following: the contains and diskette 3.5" a on distributed
operation which are themselves designed to study or or study to designed themselves are which operation runs on any PC with at least a 386 processor or better. It is is It better. or processor 386 a least at with PC any on runs
be to support the Analysis Objectives (AOs) of the exercise/ exercise/ the of (AOs) Objectives Analysis the support to be managed by PAT. It is a windows based program that that program based windows a is It PAT. by managed
importantly why? Obviously, the aim of record taking should should taking record of aim the Obviously, why? importantly The NATO Lessons Learned Data Base (NLLDB) is is (NLLDB) Base Data Learned Lessons NATO The
despatched before you can secure and equally as as equally and secure can you before despatched
reports, comments and Formexs to be completed and and completed be to Formexs and comments reports, A. NATO Lessons Learned Database (NLLDB) (NLLDB) Database Learned Lessons NATO A.
so how come some idiot needs an entire rain forest of of forest rain entire an needs idiot some come how so
completed, the bars are open and the local ladies willing, willing, ladies local the and open are bars the completed, when the AOs are being agreed. These are: are: These agreed. being are AOs the when
1.The exercise is over, the last minehunting watch has been been has watch minehunting last the over, is exercise 1.The 4.A number of other publications also need to be considered considered be to need also publications other of number 4.A
General General Other Publications Publications Other
By Lt Cdr Chits Davies RN SOMFP SOMFP RN Davies Chits Cdr Lt By be corrected later this year. year. this later corrected be
since 95 and is out of date, although hopefully this should should this hopefully although date, of out is and 95 since
EXERCISE ANALYSIS ANALYSIS EXERCISE Yugoslavia (FRY). Hence the MAP has not been up-dated up-dated been not has MAP the Hence (FRY). Yugoslavia
EXERCISE ANALYSIS ANALYSIS EXERCISE www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
EXERCISE ANALYSIS
from genuine areas of tactical deficiency. It can also recording equipment such as the Data Logger will be lead to the same lesson being repeated several times installed on selected units. Once the AOs are agreed within the database - fine if you wish to stress the then they are listed along with all the records required point but some consolidation would be helpful believe to enable the analysis work to be undertaken within a me! suitable publication. This, in days-gone-by, was within Annex R of the old type Exopord and in future will be B. CREME (MW) within Annex M of the new Exercise Planning Instructions (EXPI). The purpose of the Conclusions and Recommendations from Maritime Exercises 7.The most useful record for analysis is a well (Minewarfare) (CREME(MW)) is to highlight those presented and comprehensive Formex 101 (Narrative conclusions and recommendations from NATO of Events). There is a set of guidelines for completion exercises, both synthetic and Livexs which have on the back of the form and particular note should be implications for exercise planners and which are not taken of the requirement to give command comments yet adequately stated or stressed in existing tactical and rationale where appropriate. As an aside Formexs publications, planning documents policy or doctrine. used to be found in NADREX Vol IV which has now The CREME(MW) is the only remaining CREME from been replaced by the new Exercise Planning Guide a series which formerly covered all warfare disciplines. (EPG); unfortunately without the Formex formats. Its advantage over the NLLDB is that the information Practically, this means all the forms that are required it contains has gone through a formal staffing process will need to be reproduced and placed in the EXPI. (see para 15) thereby ensuring a succinct, concise This was one reason why for Ex Strong Resolve the list of areas of concern (Operational, tactical, document came in about 17 volumes and resembled procedural and exercise related). The document war and peace! places the concerns in a priority order and is used by the Mine Warfare Party (MWWP) in its attempts to find solutions to the problems raised.
C. Maritime Tactical Development List (MTD)
The aim of this document is to identify areas of tactical deficiency and weakness where development of new tactics and evaluation of current tactics are particularly required. Resulting from the annual meeting of the Maritime Tactical Working Party ((MTWP) the Maritime Tactical Development (MTD) list was first produced in 1990. The current list, for really sad people, can be found in the back of AXP 5B Vol II. Most of the minewarfare input is passed to the MTWP by the MWWP from those entries in the CREME(MW) which have a tactical implication. 8.Much use is also made of the Formex 100 The Analysis Objectives (Commander's Comments and Recommendations) which is normally combined with the First Impression 5.Using these documents the Analysis Objectives Report (FIR) that is called for as a message at Endex. (AOs) to be included in an exercise can be produced. Ship's Command Teams should therefore take The Officer Scheduling the Exercise (OSE) is the final particular care when compiling these forms. arbiter of what is/is not included, although the advice and guidance of the analysis agencies and exercise The Analysis Process planners has a strong influence over what is finally included. 9.The PAT and other agency analysts will deploy to units and HQs during the exercise to observe what 6.Analysis agencies increasingly make use of actually happens. Their presence is on a "non- automatically recorded data. Inevitably, some interference" basis and is intended to allow them to manually prepared Formexs are needed but the gain an insight into the command and tactical decision numbers are carefully screened to keep them to the making process to assist in the subsequent analysis. essential minimum (honest!). In some cases specialist They will also assist in the collection of records. 28 www.mcdoa.org.uk
www.mcdoa.org.uk
29 29
appropriate WP meeting. meeting. WP appropriate lack of integration. integration. of lack
recommendations personally at the next next the at personally recommendations Raised at the MWWP as a further example of the the of example further a as MWWP the at Raised
each of the major WPs usually presents the the presents usually WPs major the of each raised in several FIRs and ultimately the FER. FER. the ultimately and FIRs several in raised
Consequently the PAT, which is represented on on represented is which PAT, the Consequently movement of DD/FF units through minefields was was minefields through units DD/FF of movement
FERs are about as common as hen's teeth. teeth. hen's as common as about are FERs a.During Northern Wedding in 1994 the uninhibited uninhibited the 1994 in Wedding Northern a.During
13.So much for the theory. In practise, regrettably regrettably practise, In theory. the for much 13.So
16.For example: example: 16.For
etc). etc).
(MTWP), Mine Warfare Working Party (MWWP) (MWWP) Party Working Warfare Mine (MTWP), for action. action. for
Party (eg the Maritime Tactical Working Party Party Working Tactical Maritime the (eg Party identified (hopefully) and the issue passed to them them to passed issue the and (hopefully) identified
further work to the appropriate NATO Working Working NATO appropriate the to work further suitable body to take corrective action is then then is action corrective take to body suitable
forward any recommendations that require require that recommendations any forward serious concern placed into the CREME(MW). A A CREME(MW). the into placed concern serious
Committee. At the same time he should also also should he time same the At Committee. recommendations discussed and if raising a a raising if and discussed recommendations
Report (FER) for submission to the NATO Military Military NATO the to submission for (FER) Report are presented, the conclusions and and conclusions the presented, are
Recommendations and write a Final Exercise Exercise Final a write and Recommendations which covers exercises). All the FERs produced produced FERs the All exercises). covers which
is required to validate the Conclusions and and Conclusions the validate to required is publications/Panel 2 technical issues and Panel 3 3 Panel and issues technical 2 publications/Panel
12.0n receipt of the Analysis Reports, the OSE OSE the Reports, Analysis the of receipt 12.0n panels which cover specific areas (ie Panel 1 1 Panel (ie areas specific cover which panels
at Brussels. The MWWP is split into a number of of number a into split is MWWP The Brussels. at
which sits annually (October) within the NATO HQ HQ NATO the within (October) annually sits which
15.All FERs produced are sent to the MWWP MWWP the to sent are produced FERs 15.All
AUGMENTEESH AUGMENTEESH
Role of the Minewarfare Working Party Party Working Minewarfare the of Role
RECONSTRUCT RECONSTRUCT I- I- - * IANALYZE IANALYZE
the planning cycle. cycle. planning the
experience of each exercise to be fed back into into back fed be to exercise each of experience
REPORT REPORT
EXCERCISE EXCERCISE Co-ordination Board and provides for the the for provides and Board Co-ordination
OBSERVE OBSERVE
NATO Commanders who form the NATO Exercise Exercise NATO the form who Commanders NATO
OSE OSE
involved in the exercise. This includes the Major Major the includes This exercise. the in involved
sent to all participants as well as to the commands commands the to as well as participants all to sent
OSE it is given a wide distribution and copies are are copies and distribution wide a given is it OSE
The Analysis Process Process Analysis The
14.Although the Analysis Report is made to the the to made is Report Analysis the 14.Although
to the OSE within 5 months. months. 5 within OSE the to
with relevant Conclusions and Recommendations Recommendations and Conclusions relevant with
AUGMENTEES AUGMENTEES H i H k k
for real. The aim is to produce an objective report report objective an produce to is aim The real. for
RECONSTRUCT RECONSTRUCT we would have wished to happen if it had been been had it if happen to wished have would we ANALYZE ANALYZE
SOPs, Extacs, exercise artificialities etc and what what and etc artificialities exercise Extacs, SOPs, A A
what should have happened - taking into account account into taking - happened have should what REPORT REPORT
This is basically a study of what happened, with with happened, what of study a basically is This
RECORDSr RECORDSr
11.After reconstruction, the analysis commences. commences. analysis the reconstruction, 11.After
ANNEXR ANNEXR
EXCERCISE EXCERCISE
OBSERVE OBSERVE 1 14- 14- their area of analysis. analysis. of area their
OSE OSE
compile a detailed timeline of events relevant to to relevant events of timeline detailed a compile PAT PAT
will review all of the hard copy records and and records copy hard the of all review will
OF WORK WORK OF
computer system. In parallel, the team members members team the parallel, In system. computer
MAP MAP
PATPROGRAMME PATPROGRAMME
Management (TIMS) which is the PAT networked networked PAT the is which (TIMS) Management
can be input into the Tactical Information Information Tactical the into input be can
NMAPP NMAPP
converting raw data recordings to a format that that format a to recordings data raw converting A A
T T
of data available. Part of the work consists of of consists work the of Part available. data of
LED/AED LED/AED .4 .4 NECB NECB
on the complexity of the exercise and the amount amount the and exercise the of complexity the on
The Analysis Process Process Analysis The usually takes between 3 to 10 weeks depending depending weeks 10 to 3 between takes usually
10.Following the exercise the re-construction re-construction the exercise the 10.Following
EXERCISE ANALYSIS ANALYSIS EXERCISE
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MESSAGE FROM SOMFP
COMMAND AND CONTROL OF MCM FORCES not only confers additional flexibility on the in theatre AT SEA commander but it also deprives the Wafus of the wardroom bar - so it must be good news! The JFHQ has a much By Lt Cdr Chits Davies SOMFP smaller staff than the PJHQ and when not deployed it is based at Northwood as another division of the PJHQ. On 1.During the coldest (or should that be hottest) days of the deployment the permanent members of the JFHQ act as Cold War the Command and Control (C2) of our at sea a core staff around which significant numbers of maritime forces was relatively simple. With Sea Area augmentees (200+) gather depending on the type of Commanders having fixed boundaries or Areas of operation. The full JFHQ has only deployed as a corporate Responsibility (AORs) it was straight forward to see who body, once since its formation, which was during Exercise you worked for, who to report to and who was issuing the Purple Link in the autumn of 97. On this occasion 3 Infantry orders. Today with Out of Area (00A) operations much Division provided the principle augmentation expanding more the norm and these likely to be joint or combined or the JFHQ to some 250 personnel. both in nature the C2 is different but if understood no more complicated than before - trust me I'm a diver. At the top 5. The head of the JFHQ will be the Joint Force of the purely military tree we find the Permanent Joint Commander ie "The Commander with OPCON of Headquarters or PJHQ to its friends. assigned units" and as mentioned he will normally be based in theatre. The Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) Single Service Organisations 2. The PJHQ was born out of a need to move away from the old ad hoc joint headquarters that were formed NATIONAL LEVELS OF COMMAND whenever a joint operation reared its ugly head GRAND STRATEGIC CABINET .4— ALLIES and (eg Northwood 82/High Wycombe 91). Its primary function COALITION PARTNERS is to be responsible, when directed by the Chief of the U.N. and W.E.U. Defence Staff (CDS), for the planning and execution of MILITARY STRATEGIC UK-led joint (more than one service) or potentially joint, combined (more than one NATO/WEU country) and Grand Strategic Directive . Military Advice
multinational (more than one country outside any formal Economic C.D.S defence organisation) operations. It is also responsible for Policy —Objectives Diplomacy exercising Operational Command (OPCOM) of UK forces C.O.S assigned to combined and multinational operations led by Military Strategic Directive others, in order to achieve MODUK's military-strategic I— 1 Single objectives. OPERATIONAL Service Commanders
3. The PJHQ sits in the higher chain of command between JOINT COMMANDER the Ministry of Defence, which gives political direction and (JHQ) 4 CINCFLEET the new Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) which takes INCLAND Operational Control over assigned forces. Any future CINCSTC
operation will be Commanded by a Joint Commander Operational Directive who will be "The Commander with OPCOM of assigned Units" and who will be based in and also head the PJHQ. In a small scale operation he will most likely be the Chief of TACTICAL
Joint Operations (CJO) who is also the normal head of the Campaign Planning PJHQ. In a larger operation one of the single service chiefs JOINT FORCE COMMANDER may be appointed as the Joint Commander. (JFHQ)
LAND MARITIME AIR Joint Force Headquarters (JFHQ) COMMANDER COMMANDER COMMANDER
OPORDER 4. Next in the food chain is the Joint Force Headquarters Tasks and Missions (JFHQ) which is the headquarters that will deploy into theatre for an operation (eg Dhahran 91) and fight the battle. Depending on the nature of the operation the JFHQ may be ashore or afloat as both the operational CVS now 6. It should be noted that the above will result in a have an interim JFHQ afloat equipment fit. This later option significant change for each of the single service 30 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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31 31
(MTSS) from sea. sea. from (MTSS) work for? for? work
the operation of the Minewarfare Tactical Support System System Support Tactical Minewarfare the of operation the employment of maritime forces - do you know who you you who know you do - forces maritime of employment
additional personnel may be added to this division to enable enable to division this to added be may personnel additional Control which is fundamental to the efficient and effective effective and efficient the to fundamental is which Control
Control of Submarines allocated to the MCC. In future future In MCC. the to allocated Submarines of Control of occasions, of providing the effective Command and and Command effective the providing of occasions, of
Submarine Advisory Team (SAT) for the Command and and Command the for (SAT) Team Advisory Submarine capable in both exercises and live operations, on a number number a on operations, live and exercises both in capable
intelligence and communications support plus the the plus support communications and intelligence in place since August of 1996 and have proved themselves themselves proved have and 1996 of August since place in
c. c. Int/Comms Division - which proves additional specialist specialist additional proves which - Division Int/Comms 12. 12. The revised C2 arrangements described here have been been have here described arrangements C2 revised The
situation we hope to rectify shortly. shortly. rectify to hope we situation
116 116
COMUKTG does not have a full-time representative - a a - representative full-time a have not does COMUKTG
COMMS COMMS OPERATIONS OPERATIONS SUPPORT SUPPORT PLANS PLANS LOGISTICS LOGISTICS
Minewarfare Officer to act as the MW specialist although although specialist MW the as act to Officer Minewarfare
SOO SOO
GLC GLC Both COMUKTG/FABs Staff's have a dedicated dedicated a have Staff's COMUKTG/FABs Both
instructions for the conduct of ongoing operations. operations. ongoing of conduct the for instructions
COS COS
basically this signal lays down the MCCs requirements and and requirements MCCs the down lays signal this basically
H48 to H+96Hrs - In broad outline outline broad In - H+96Hrs to H48 FLAG CAPTAIN CAPTAIN FLAG
H24 to H+48Hrs - In outline outline In - H+48Hrs to H24
H 0 to H+24Hrs - In detail detail In - H+24Hrs to 0 H
1*/2* BM BM 1*/2*
day as follows: follows: as day ORGANISATION (FULL) (FULL) ORGANISATION
day and covers a period starting from 0800Z the following following the 0800Z from starting period a covers and day
BATLLE STAFF STAFF BATLLE
is the Intentions signals which is released at 1800Z each each 1800Z at released is which signals Intentions the is
plans etc from 24Hrs to 96Hrs ahead. The ultimate product product ultimate The ahead. 96Hrs to 24Hrs from etc plans
divisions staff are normally table topping possible options, options, possible topping table normally are staff divisions FOSF seariding staff as required. required. as staff seariding FOSF
UWW/SM/MW/AW/C2W/MPA and METOC officers. The The officers. METOC and UWW/SM/MW/AW/C2W/MPA shown above, building around COMUKTG Staff or the the or Staff COMUKTG around building above, shown
b. b. A Plans Division - comprising of specialist AWW/AV/ AWW/AV/ specialist of comprising - Division Plans A to bring either of the Battle Staffs up to the full strength strength full the to up Staffs Battle the of either bring to
11. 11. A significant number of augmentees are again needed needed again are augmentees of number significant A
10. 10. The full MCC Battle Staff organisation is therefore: therefore: is organisation Staff Battle MCC full The
GOP GOP SAGOP SAGOP ASMA ASMA JOTS JOTS
Staff and ease the loading on the command ship's staff. staff. ship's command the on loading the ease and Staff
and Cooks to provide administrative support to the Battle Battle the to support administrative provide to Cooks and
ORS ORS
FHC FHC e. e. A Support Division - Comprising of Writers, Stewards Stewards Writers, of Comprising - Division Support A
PR, Medical, Legal and RFA aspects. aspects. RFA and Legal Medical, PR,
WO/CPO(R) WO/CPO(R) NCS NCS ACE ACE
logistic support as well as additional personnel to cover cover to personnel additional as well as support logistic
staff who provide Marine/Weapon/Air Engineering and and Engineering Marine/Weapon/Air provide who staff
FWO/GWO FWO/GWO ASWC ASWC
support. Most of the personnel are supplied by the ship's ship's the by supplied are personnel the of Most support.
d. d. A Logistics Division - To provide specialist logistic logistic specialist provide To - Division Logistics A
SOO SOO BWC BWC
CAPTAIN/OX CAPTAIN/OX
6-8 COMMS COMMS 6-8 CPO(EW) CPO(EW) CPO(EW) CPO(EW) RO(SM) RO(SM) FLAG FLAG
1*/2* BM BM 1*/2* WO(CY)SCCY WO(CY)SCCY
CCCT CCCT WO(CT) WO(CT) WO(RS) WO(RS)
OPERATIONS DIVISION DIVISION OPERATIONS
COMMS COMMS SHINTO SHINTO INT INT
FWOs being MCD qualified. qualified. MCD being FWOs
battle Staff's Operations Divisions with a number of GWOs/ GWOs/ of number a with Divisions Operations Staff's battle
a. In recent years we have been well served within the the within served well been have we years recent In a.
INT INT COMMS COMMS
(A00) but will have no operational control. control. operational no have will but (A00)
sustained and recovered from an Area of Operations Operations of Area an from recovered and sustained
enable combat effective forces to be deployed, deployed, be to forces effective combat enable
SOO SOO (operational readiness, training etc) and support to to support and etc) training readiness, (operational
responsible for providing military capability capability military providing for responsible
INT/COMMS/SAT DIVISIONS DIVISIONS INT/COMMS/SAT
retain Full Command of maritime units and will be be will and units maritime of Command Full retain
organisations. In future operations CINCFLEET will will CINCFLEET operations future In organisations.
MESSAGE FROM SOMFP SOMFP FROM MESSAGE
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MW AND THE JMC
THE EVOLUTION OF MINEWARFARE IN JOINT effective when we go into live operations. MARITIME COURSES With the playground developed we then went on to look By Lt Cdr Torn Russel SMCDO to FOSANI at the tactical scenario and the integration of the MW force into the bigger picture. Which, as you can imagine, The days of MCM participation in the JMC consisting of had many teething problems. This is where the MW a Mine Detonation Demonstration and a short community have gained maximum training value in an leadthrough are now in the past; and long may they area which had been badly ignored for a long time, and stay there. Modern JMC's revolve around well balanced where at last MW is getting a fair hearing and being fully integrated forces capable of conducting warfare seen as a very useful asset to have in the force. The operations in a hostile environment. To that end, not first week of the course is conducted in a serialised only do the MW forces gain from the dedicated MCM programme format, which exposes all units and training available but they are also immersed in the commands to the full range of warfare disciplines. broader aspects of warfare and as such are forced to Week 2 is the free play operation which allows realistic learn about other disciplines and tactics. This short warfare to be conducted in a hostile environment. There article will attempt to inform you of the development are no great surprises with C2 which is your familiar and ongoing improvements made to the course by chain of working for an MCMTA (CTU) who in turn JMOTS and how we, the MCM community, are gaining interfaces with the CTG. Communications can at times maximum benefit from it. be very demanding, however rest assured that the In the early days of the JMC/MW metamorphosis, as limitations of the MCMV's has been fully briefed and you would expect, the MW expertise in the JMOTS taken into account. Support comes normally from the organisation was limited. As a result JMOTS relied MCMTA either afloat or ashore but always located in heavily on the MCM commander who had been the vicinity of the POL jetty at Loch Ewe. Several allocated as the CTU, for expert advice and initial minefields have been laid to add to your enjoyment and planning as well as a goodly amount of advice during when added to the air, surface and sub surface threat the course itself. This as you can imagine is a less than you find that you have a demanding but thoroughly satisfactory situation with the CTU planning and enjoyable environment in which to hone your skills. You executing his own exercise. This problem was identified will have noticed that I have used the term MW as early in the proceedings at which stage 3 main players opposed to MCM, that is because more and more NATO emerged as the planning and execution cell; namely units are participating which on more that one occasion SO (ASW) JMOTS, SO MFP (NORTHWOOD) and has given the force the use of a Minelayer. This in turn SMCDO to FOSNNI. gives us the ability to lay tactical minefields and practice all minewarfare disciplines. To take full advantage of The first priority was to find and establish an operating this highly effective warfare discipline it has been area for the units to work in. The main operating area recommended that CTG staff is complimented with a centred on the Minches and Loch Ewe in particular were dedicated minewarfare specialist. Thus, I think that presented as a "fait acomplit" because of the tactical when you arrive for your JMC you will find that you are scenario. It was then up to us to develop a varied and presented with a viable tactical scenario, with a set of interesting MCM playground for the CTU to work in. realistic goals, which provide a chance for all parties to The first point of contact was the local fishing community, gain maximum benefit from the course. who after much negotiation (mostly over bottles of single malt) allowed us to establish a rudimentary set of The course continues to develop, as you would expect, operating areas. Since then the areas have grown and however, a solid set of foundations have now been laid developed into the challenging operating environment which will allow subsequent courses to be tailored to that you should all be familiar with. The areas consist meet the needs of all the parties concerned. The of mine sweeping corridors for both mechanical and significant advances made in developing the present influence sweeps, a MDDU area, MDC firing box and a course have come about by the good working few hundred miles of Q routes which includes several relationship between the three previously mentioned anchorage boxes, all of which are being incorporated officers, effective and friendly relations with the local into an Exercise Minewarfare Pilot by HYDROUK. The community and a well rounded and tactically sound whole package has been designed with the JMOTS scenario which exposes all players to the MW remit to conduct tier 2 training in mind, which as you environment. The training achieved by the MW assets can imagine means that there are some pretty is now on a par with that achieved from the FF/DD demanding MOM conditions to deal with. No apologies community and continues to improve with each course. are proffered for the difficult conditions as we must It only leaves me to wish you good hunting and hope practice operating in all environments if we are to be that you enjoy the experience during your next JMC (weather permitting). 32 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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33 33
operating in an adjacent area. area. adjacent an in operating
assigned (paper) baby-sitter, the ship must also carefully monitor the progress of a 'ghost' MCM Task Group Group Task MCM 'ghost' a of progress the monitor carefully also must ship the baby-sitter, (paper) assigned
on ethnic cleansing and world domination. In addition to a steady flow of neutral shipping in the area and the the and area the in shipping neutral of flow steady a to addition In domination. world and cleansing ethnic on
Task Force attempting to maintain the status quo between two protagonists, who steadily become more hell bent bent hell more become steadily who protagonists, two between quo status the maintain to attempting Force Task
The scenario is a familiar one and based on recent RN littoral operations; the MM forms part of a multi-national multi-national a of part forms MM the operations; littoral RN recent on based and one familiar a is scenario The
COMMS/EW etc plus associated Intel/ROE signals that you might normally expect prior to any exercise or operation. operation. or exercise any to prior expect normally might you that signals Intel/ROE associated plus etc COMMS/EW
MCM OPORDER supported by the requisite setting up signals which include an OPDIR, OPTASK MW/AAW/ MW/AAW/ OPTASK OPDIR, an include which signals up setting requisite the by supported OPORDER MCM
achieving a successful GPA that Minewarfare training starts in earnest. Ships are issued with a comprehensive comprehensive a with issued are Ships earnest. in starts training Minewarfare that GPA successful a achieving
day running from the Naval Base and which culminates for the MM in a General Phase Assessment (GPA); it is after after is it (GPA); Assessment Phase General a in MM the for culminates which and Base Naval the from running day
All RN (an increasing number of international) MM/PPs undergo a period of General Training, based at Faslane, Faslane, at based Training, General of period a undergo MM/PPs international) of number increasing (an RN All
THE TRAINING PACKAGE PACKAGE TRAINING THE
SNBCDI2 SNBCDI2
Lts', ideal pre PWO training. training. PWO pre ideal Lts',
SCPOMA SCPOMA M M SNBCDI1 SNBCDI1
interested, the job is extremely rewarding and, for the the for and, rewarding extremely is job the interested, I - - I I I
skills acquired during general training. For those those For training. general during acquired skills
OPS(MW)1 OPS(MW)2 OPS(MW)3 OPS(MW)3 OPS(MW)2 OPS(MW)1
all NBCDQs to enable ships to continue developing those those developing continue to ships enable to NBCDQs all
I I I I I I
, , a tour as XO/OPS onboard MMs; the 3 Senior Rates are are Rates Senior 3 the MMs; onboard XO/OPS as tour a
AO TPROGO TPROGO AO
I I
the team with the other Officers having recently completed completed recently having Officers other the with team the
1 SWO(MW)2 SWO(MW)3 SWO(MW)3 SWO(MW)2 1
I I
SRS SCY SCY SRS
simultaneously. A Lt Cdr MCD, PWO qualified, heads heads qualified, PWO MCD, Cdr Lt A simultaneously.
SSI SSI
r r I I
j___
SSO X1 X1 SSO I I 24 hour cover for two MMs undergoing OST OST undergoing MMs two for cover hour 24
SCCY SCCY I I SCPOM SSEAO SSEAO SCPOM I I
and 3 CPO(MW) (0) Staff Instructors thereby allowing full full allowing thereby Instructors Staff (0) CPO(MW) 3 and I I
I I I I
SWO(N) SWO(N) SOO/SWO(MW) SOO/SWO(MW)
SGO SGO SNO(H) SNBCDO SNBCDO SNO(H)
Training Team now consists of 3 MCD/MW Staff Officers Officers Staff MCD/MW 3 of consists now Team Training
I I
searide, covering all departments. The Minewarfare Minewarfare The departments. all covering searide,
CST CST
The Staff in total consist of 28 personnel, of which 26 26 which of personnel, 28 of consist total in Staff The
FOST (MPV) FAMILY TREE TREE FAMILY (MPV) FOST
THE TEAM TEAM THE
in the World. World. the in
accepted to be the best Operational Sea Training available available Training Sea Operational best the be to accepted
will then provide you, the customer, with what is increasingly increasingly is what with customer, the you, provide then will
and development of each member of the FOST(MPV) team team FOST(MPV) the of member each of development and
in People accreditation (due June this year). The training training The year). this June (due accreditation People in
Patrol Vessels Vessels Patrol Training Staff Staff Training
Training the Trainers which will contribute to FOST's Investors Investors FOST's to contribute will which Trainers the Training Minewarfare and and Minewarfare Small Ships Operational Operational Ships Small
FOST FOST SSOTS SSOTS requirements. This is achieved through initiatives such as as such initiatives through achieved is This requirements.
Staff to ensure they are fully capable of meeting FOST's FOST's meeting of capable fully are they ensure to Staff
to provide a method to train, develop and appraise FOST FOST appraise and develop train, to method a provide to
Staff Training and Development Plan; this has been introduced introduced been has this Plan; Development and Training Staff
success. This in turn has seen the introduction of the FOST FOST the of introduction the seen has turn in This success.
community, the influence of FOST being crucial to this this to crucial being FOST of influence the community,
myth of the 'double standard' between the MM & FF/DD FF/DD & MM the between standard' 'double the of myth
The integration with FOST has removed any trace of the the of trace any removed has FOST with integration The
change and improvement in the way we conduct ourtraining. ourtraining. conduct we way the in improvement and change
subsequent integration into FOST we have seen considerable considerable seen have we FOST into integration subsequent
1; : :
1995 1995
CLYDE approaches. Since the move in Dec 1995 and the the and 1995 Dec in move the Since approaches. CLYDE
within HMNB Clyde conducting OSTs of all MM/PPs in the the in MM/PPs all of OSTs conducting Clyde HMNB within
ROSYTH TO FASLANE FASLANE TO ROSYTH
The organisation of FOST (MPV) is now firmly established established firmly now is (MPV) FOST of organisation The
THE MOVE UNDER FOST FOST UNDER MOVE THE
Opc\X1v S EX \\\s,\N\ \\\s,\N\ EX S Opc\X1v
o o
THE MOVE MOVE THE UNDER FOST FOST UNDER
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FOST - MCM TRAINING
MCM TRAINING negotiations with the local fishing community are continuing to the benefit of all. General training is Normally the ship sails the day following the GPA and conducted in the inner Clyde approaches just 35 are 'forward deployed', operating in Defence Watches, minutes steam from Faslane. MCM training is conducted in the Clyde Approaches for between 11/2 and 3 weeks. along the network of exercise Q - routes as well as in After each 5-7 days tasking period a 36 hr Operational the bespoke minefields. A variety of minefields cater for Support Periods ('stand offs') is ordered, these are a range of depths, with sea conditions ranging from the normally taken alongside at Campbeltown on the Kintyre benign to the blessed difficult. The areas around peninsula. Initially undertaking a CET phase (MXTI's Campbeltown offer ideal medium depth fields and drills and RTSV), the embarked staff ensure basic varying bottom conditions, whilst those areas in Jura procedures and drills are correct before ordering more Sound and Loch Fyne offer deep training for the complex MCM hunting or sweeping tasking. Regular Sandown in Deep VDS Operations. intelligence signals are introduced which, in addition to Our arsenal comprises close on a 150 mines all told, in invoking renewed urgency, increase the air and surface depths between 9-200 meters and varying topographical threat and gradually draw the ship into a volatile, bitter and environmental limitations; the piece de la resistance conflict. Regular sitreps on LAAWC keep the Command is a 2 square mile Task Force Anchorage containing 50 team busy, and soon all are involved with countering mines which we genuinely believe is "probably the best the air probes and damage inflicting raids. This ultimately mine field in the world". leads to the Final Inspection commencing during the evening of the penultimate day of training; for this CST OUTSIDE INTERESTS and other members of the staff embark to fully assess the ship's ability to successfully operate in a tactical Beyond the training of UK units, at FOST(MPV) as at MCM environment. FOST we are broadening our international interests. This training period allows all aspects of MCM to be Within NATO we conduct SCVVT for SNFC, next planned enhanced; for the operators drills and procedures are being a two week slot in Feb 99. We also maintain close explained in detail and then tested in varying links with MOST at the ABNL school Eguermin. Beyond environments. Maintainers have to deal with paper (and NATO our customers include Saudi Arabia, Qatar and, all too often real) defects fighting through to achieve in the near future, the UAE. the aim. The command team has to think tactically; establishing the most efficient plan to achieve the task utilising all available MCM computer tools and large WE ARE HERE TO HELP, TRAIN AND DEVELOP doses of common 'MOM' sense. All this conducted SURVIVABILITY IN A MINEFIELD. under a broader tactical umbrella where the action stretches reserves of stamina to the limit. Whether it be at sea or in office our doors are always open (that includes before and after normal working hours), to answer your questions and queries. LIFE AFTER OST Remember good communication is the fundamental key to success, and to that end a list of present Staff and Clearly the end of OST is not the end of the story. The telephone numbers are below. Happy Hunting (and training cycle continues with second tier training during sweeping). JMC followed by squadron training and NATO exercises to add the final tactical polish. Of course preparations for the next OST must continue within this 18 month cycle. Remember, operating in three conflicts over the last 16 years we have been lucky not to loose a ship. This busy and demanding training period is an exacting challenge specifically designed to ensure that you are equipped with the basic necessities required for you to survive in a minefield during the next conflict.
THE AREAS
The Clyde Exercise Areas are an ideal training ground. Sheltered water can be found in almost any weather conditions, therefore training time due to inclement Probably the best minefields in the world weather is seldom lost. Traffic levels are lower and 34 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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35 35
thereby stifling accurate reduction measures. measures. reduction accurate stifling thereby measures. measures.
THREAT APPRECIATION APPRECIATION THREAT Appreciation of Threat insufficiently developed, developed, insufficiently Threat of Appreciation Command Teams to fully consider threat and valid reduction reduction valid and threat consider fully to Teams Command
A & B Predictor. Predictor. B & A Tools prior to OST OST to prior Tools
MCM PLANNING TOOLS TOOLS PLANNING MCM MWOs unable to effectively use MCM EXPERT and and EXPERT MCM use effectively to unable MWOs Teams to fully utilise and acquaint themselves with MCM MCM with themselves acquaint and utilise fully to Teams
on ship's signature. signature. ship's on event of failure. failure. of event
DEGAUSING DEGAUSING Command Teams unaware of DG System defects affect affect defects System DG of unaware Teams Command Disseminate results of last ranging and Table Top actions in in actions Top Table and ranging last of results Disseminate
at handover. handover. at of aide-memoire is recommended). recommended). is aide-memoire of
WATCH HANDOVERS HANDOVERS WATCH Insufficient detail being passed between key personnel personnel key between passed being detail Insufficient MW0/00W/MHD's to ensure relevant details covered (using (using covered details relevant ensure to MW0/00W/MHD's
on change of task. task. of change on
MCM STATEBOARDS STATEBOARDS MCM Stateboards are not being updated during watches or or watches during updated being not are Stateboards MHD's to ensure stateboards are updated. updated. are stateboards ensure to MHD's
incorrectly calibrated. calibrated. incorrectly KOM's are calibrated. calibrated. are KOM's
KOM CALIBRATION CALIBRATION KOM Ships are arriving at OST with Kite Otter Multiplanes Multiplanes Otter Kite with OST at arriving are Ships Allocate sufficient time during shakedown period to ensure ensure to period shakedown during time sufficient Allocate
NAVPAC NAVPAC Poor utilisation and knowledge of setting up/limitations. up/limitations. setting of knowledge and utilisation Poor Improve education and practice. practice. and education Improve
PN FAIL FAIL PN Poor level of procedural knowledge for recovery action. action. recovery for knowledge procedural of level Poor Familiarisation and practise practise and Familiarisation
bias turned down (unless appropriate). appropriate). (unless down turned bias
reflect perceived orientation of target. target. of orientation perceived reflect orientation, not simply left to right across screen with with screen across right to left simply not orientation,
b. b. Contact Marking during Classification does not not does Classification during Marking Contact b. b. Operators to mark length of target depending on on depending target of length mark to Operators
to enforce standards. standards. enforce to
SONAR DRILLS DRILLS SONAR a. a. Correct drills not used i.a.w. Class BRs. BRs. Class i.a.w. used not drills Correct a. a. Onboard Education, Ops Room formality, MHDs MHDs formality, Room Ops Education, Onboard
pre formatted Minewarfare Messages. Messages. Minewarfare formatted pre
FORMATTED SIGNALS SIGNALS FORMATTED More familiarisation required when using using when required familiarisation More MWO/MHD and Comms staff to be familiar with APP4 Vol Vol APP4 with familiar be to staff Comms and MWO/MHD
optimise Threat Reduction. Reduction. Threat optimise Relevant personnel to complete the PJT (ME36C). (ME36C). PJT the complete to personnel Relevant
HVME HVME Insufficient corporate knowledge in use of equipment to to equipment of use in knowledge corporate Insufficient More use to be made of system and associated publications. publications. associated and system of made be to use More
relayed to operators). operators). to relayed
RTPME RTPME VOS dips to be saved to unique files ( and results results and ( files unique to saved be to dips VOS More emphasis required by MWO/MHD. MWO/MHD. by required emphasis More
and magnetic media records, vital for post task analysis. analysis. task post for vital records, media magnetic and and BR 8413 (2A,2B) (MHC). (MHC). (2A,2B) 8413 BR and
RECORDS RECORDS Lack of detail in compilation of correct manuscript manuscript correct of compilation in detail of Lack MWO/MHD to be familiar with BR 8513 (2C1) (MHSC) (MHSC) (2C1) 8513 BR with familiar be to MWO/MHD
ensure an acceptable standard is maintained - MHSC. MHSC. - maintained is standard acceptable an ensure
HOVERING HOVERING More emphasis is to be placed on all OOW's to to OOW's all on placed be to is emphasis More Sufficient time to be planned into Ship's programme. programme. Ship's into planned be to time Sufficient
SUBJECT SUBJECT COMMON WEAK AREA AREA WEAK COMMON SUGGESTED REMEDIAL ACTION ACTION REMEDIAL SUGGESTED
MINEWARFARE MINEWARFARE
points which have been noted in more than 50% of ships undergoing OST over the last year. year. last the over OST undergoing ships of 50% than more in noted been have which points
1. 1. The list below details the current common shortcomings in Minewarfare and Diving. These are recurring recurring are These Diving. and Minewarfare in shortcomings common current the details below list The
COMMON WEAK AREAS AREAS WEAK COMMON
X1(MPV) X1(MPV) MM MM DOBSON DOBSON 3786 3786
SCPO (M) (M) SCPO CPO(OPS) (M) (M) CPO(OPS) A IMMS IMMS A 6573 6573 FAX: Direct Dial 01436 677221 OR EXT 3696 3696 EXT OR 677221 01436 Dial Direct FAX:
551 551
PO(SEA) PO(SEA) S R BROSNAN BROSNAN R S 3770 3770 TSM TSM CIV CIV H BRUNTON BRUNTON H 6644 6644
SSEAO SSEAO
CP0(SEA) CP0(SEA) D J DEAKIN DEAKIN J D 3648 3648 AO AO CIV CIV I FRASER FRASER I 3773 3773
OPS(MW)3 OPS(MW)3
CPO(MW) (0) (0) CPO(MW) B V HOGG HOGG V B 6985 6985 TPROGO TPROGO CPO CPO M SLATTER SLATTER M 6644 6644
OPS(MW)2 OPS(MW)2 CP0(MVV)(0) CP0(MVV)(0) G G COYLE COYLE G G SSO SSO 3776 3776 WOSA WOSA K TOMLINSON TOMLINSON K 4470 4470
OPS(MVV)1 OPS(MVV)1 CP0(MVV)(0) CP0(MVV)(0) S M DOWNEY DOWNEY M S 4439 4439 SRS SRS RS RS BROWN BROWN 3204 3204
SWO (MW)3 (MW)3 SWO LT LT TJ LAMBIE LAMBIE TJ 4408 4408 SCY(MPV) SCY(MPV) CY CY J PETRIE PETRIE J 3638 3638
SWO(MW)2 SWO(MW)2
LT CDR CDR LT A GRIFFITHS GRIFFITHS A 6995 6995 SCCY(MPV) SCCY(MPV) CCY CCY LONIE LONIE 3207 3207
SNBCDO(MPV) SNBCDO(MPV) LT LT S DUNNINGHAM DUNNINGHAM S 3774 3774 SCMA SCMA CPOMA CPOMA A FOSTER FOSTER A 3651 3651
SGO SGO
LT LT M J WALKER WALKER J M 4383 4383 SNBCDI(2)(MPV) SNBCDI(2)(MPV) POMEM(M) POMEM(M) F R SMITH SMITH R F 3835 3835
SNO(H) SNO(H)
LT CDR CDR LT G TURNBULL TURNBULL G 4031 4031 SNBCDI(1)(MPV) SNBCDI(1)(MPV) CMEM(M) CMEM(M) I M WHITE WHITE M I 3712 3712
SWO(N) SWO(N)
LT CDR CDR LT S R McQUAKER McQUAKER R S 6856 6856 L(MPV) L(MPV) CMEM(L) CMEM(L) K SANGSTER SANGSTER K 4451 4451
SOO/SWO(MW) SOO/SWO(MW) LT CDR CDR LT J L POOLE POOLE L J 4459 4459 WE(MPV) WE(MPV) CCWEA CCWEA WILSON WILSON 3652 3652
CST(MPV) CST(MPV) CDR CDR R A MARSHALL MARSHALL A R 4340 4340 M(MPV) M(MPV) WOMEA WOMEA B J PAMPLIN PAMPLIN J B 4420 4420
TITLE TITLE RANK RANK NAME NAME EXT EXT TITLE TITLE RANK RANK NAME NAME EXT EXT
01436 674321 ext (BT) (BT) ext 674321 01436
93 255 ext (Network) (Network) ext 255 93
FOST MPV TELEPHONE TELEPHONE MPV FOST NUMBERS NUMBERS
FOST CONTACT NUMBERS NUMBERS CONTACT FOST www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
STANAVFORCHAN - A COXSWAIN'S VIEW
DIVING AND DEMOLITIONS SUGGESTED REMEDIAL ACTION SUBJECT COMMON WEAK AREA
Conduct a dedicated work-up before arrival. or progressively DIVING WORK-UP Ships arriving at OST with divers unable to dive to maximum depth work-up the divers from OST minus 3 months under Minehunting Diving Rules Review procedure for loading/unloading the boat. with EXCEEDING GEMINI Hoisting and lowering limits exceeded when the Gemini is rigged as particular reference to a casualty HOISTING LIMITS a diving boat Regular practice as a whole ship evolution SURFACE Poor appreciation within the Ship as to what the evolution entails DECOMPRESSION and why it is not an emergency
Poorly maintained. in particular sections 4. 7 & 9. This should be a Diving Officers need to pay a closer interest in BR2807 RECORD the documentation "living document" Establish a planning grid to help better maintain the team's OC FCD3 planning Planning of ship's diving team training is reactive to CAPES printouts. rather than pro-active to individual/collective requirements Adopt the new format DIVING LOGS Old style logs incorrectly completed and following formats at variance with BR2806. Request from Irwin Desman Ltd E LISTS E Lists W3101. W3072. W3038 not held by the Diving Maintainer Consult BR338(1) DEMOLITIONS KIT Not held, or holding equipment inappropriate to the task Diving Officer to take a greater interest in its completion BRIDGE FILE Predominantly containing out of date photocopies of sections from BRs. with no explanations to the layman Review BRIDGE DIVING Containing actions inappropriate to MCMV in a minefield EMERGENCY CARDS (starting main engines)
Review HISTORY SHEETS Adqual and NAMET not up to date
13 onboard continually! The Diving was quite STANAVFORCHAN - A COXSWAIN'S VIEW "sporting" as there is little shelter off the Belgian coast during October and the current and sea state, By PO (D) Stet'e Strange. a lot of which is wind driven, is unforgiving. The last serial during the Minewarfare phase of MOST Having been fortunate in being on the "signal" and is a live MDC firing, inevitably it failed, (as we were been given the option of early relief or staying on due home on completion after 2 months in HURWORTH for 9 months of STAN's, I had a Belgium) - standby 2nd MDC. Whilst I was taking dilemma, sea pay or subbies, home to duties or bets in the galley on the 2nd failing, the Belgian Officer of the Day duties. The prospect of SOO appears outside the MCO, holding a 1 lb New York, St Johns and Halifax won, "I'll stay-. scare charge, had he gone mad, was he a potential suicide bomber? "Excuse me Sir, we don't bring live explosives into our ship, can you take that outside?" (or words to that affect). Little did I know he had already taken the pin out, ditched it over the bridge wing, in anticipation of a "wrecking" scenario when the MDC exploded. The fatal flaw in his plan was exposed when the 2nd MDC failed and he was left wandering around the ship with an elastic band around the fly-off lever trying to find someone to hand the offending item to. The second MDC having failed, we were left baby-sitting the charges for 24 hours. Andy Lonsdale did a sterling job in packing both charges in marginal diving conditions the following day.
Prior to joining STAN's we had to pass MOST, a Having successfully passed MOST we joined the sort of alternative continental OST. The rest of STAN's in Southampton after Christmas Minewarfare stage was "interesting", instead of the leave. Trips to Barrow, Port Glasgow and Kirkwall usual 2 seariders during OST on MOST you have followed. Here I got to meet one of the STAN's
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STANAVFORCHAN - A COXSWAIN'S VIEW
Dive teams, led by a Belgian Chief Diver called Bart stand-off for the team. Wrong again, 0805 a terror who introduced himself by giving me a "terror" shake by an OM, "Coxswain, you've got to see the shake in the cabin at 4 am, "Piggy I've come to Captain, they want you to blow up an exercise drink your apples". The guy was either living in a mine", surely not. CO to Coxswain, "Swain they time warp or stringing me a line as Piggy Trotter have laid mine's explosive case for us to MDC as a had left the HURWORTH at least 10 years before. demo, however, they've laid it in a "rock garden" and the PAP can't find it, can you blow it by nine?" "Nine tonight" I hopefully replied, "no, nine as in 40 minutes, we have half the Norwegian and Danish Navy waiting outside for this thing to go bang". Pausing only to peek into the Ops room seeing the MWO with his head in his hands and the Bosun, bless him, driving the vehicle around in an aimless grid search from FBR to FBR. Luckily the mine case was buoyed and after some lightning EOD preps and short fuses we packed and detonated the mine at 0902, an interesting 24 hours.
Kirkwall was interesting, SOO to COMSTANAFORCHAN, Alistair Strangroom, had organised a day's diving for the force in Scapa Flow. We dived the wrecks of the German Battle Fleet, Koln, Dresden etc, outstanding wrecks in gin clear water, however, a weeks sustained wreck diving is needed to do the area justice. In addition the Brits were tasked to survey the wreck of the ROYAL OAK in Scapa Bay. The wreck has been leaking bunker fuel for some years, the oil is easily seen from the surface and in fact was used to locate the wreck. The task was to survey the leak stopping patch placed on the ship's hull, and Norway and STRONG RESOLVE seemingly the we used a U/W video camera to achieve this. It is biggest NATO maritime exercise ever staged, a moving experience to dive this designated war however, HURWORTH was firmly stuck alongside, grave and permission from MOD to dive is not given engine changed. The time wasn't wasted though routinely. The dive was preceded by a speech from EAD's and diving drills outside the harbour (how Lt Cdr Stangroom, followed by a minute's silence, cold) and Minesweeping practice at night (at £5 a to honour the 833 British sailors who rest there, "wet" in Norway you protect your assets). having met their fate on 14 October 1939. Coxswaining is definitely easier second time around On to the Baltic, Norway and Denmark and a as you've heard all the "bone" questions before. Squadron exercise. A quiet exercise until the last "How many warrants have I left Coxswain?", "one day, at 0700 the team was tasked to investigate a less than last time, you asked 5 minutes ago", and possible WW2 mine. The contact was 80% buried the all time chestnut from a legendary AB(MW) and in poor condition. Three divers later and lots colloquially known as "Bullet". "How often do we of measuring, sketching and referring to AEODP's, have to do this Annual Personal Weapons Test then probable A Mk 9 British ground mine. The Coxswain?", yes he did say it and I was speechless. application of copious amounts of "white Lightning" sorted the problem out. Mid-day onwards mine recovery, 6 mines on deck, the team was dived 6. out by 0400 and in desperation the "Onesy" had to go in. 0530 back onboard with a promised 6 hour 37 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
THE SWEDISH EXPERIENCE
ops on Lake Vaanern and off the Lithuanian coast THE SWEDISH EXPERIENCE clearing a large amount of Former Soviet Union ordnance. For example, such is the high profile ByLtMSLon12.- RAT of MCM in Sweden that in order to obtain their new stealthy multi role corvette, it had to "No one else is available, so you will have to demonstrate an MCM capability. spend 2 weeks in Sweden with their navy." Oh RSN MCM ops differ from ours in a number of well I suppose someone has to do it. The Royal Swedish Navy had requested that a short ways, the principal one involving manpower allocation. The LANDSORT class, similar in size exchange of Minewarfare personnel could be to a HUNT, has a ship's company of established, obviously with a view of something approximately 26. Armed with this fact it does more substantial in the future. My instructions not take the brains of a rocket scientist to were clear enough; I was to fly to Karlstadt, conclude that their personnel are spread thinly. Sweden and report to HMS ARLHOLMA, a One area where it is noticeable is in the Ops LANDSORT class MCMV. Room. One sonar display and one A10 display, separated by the ROV station, are available and these are manned by two minewarfare officers, one on the sonar and the other principle "MWO" dividing his time between A10 and the ROV. Could this be a solution to our gapped billets one cries! At this point it should be noted that the RSN is a conscript navy, with the majority of "skilled" tasks allocated to professional career officers, namely the I was somewhat intrigued to learn that Karlstadt CO and ten others. is in fact on a lake! MCM operations on a lake sounded rather limiting until I discovered that it was the size of Wales.
I arrived onboard and was shown to the Wardroom. "Good evening Sir" I greeted a very relaxed 3 ringer lounging in front of the TV. My first mistake, he was a Lieutenant.The Swedish Navy likes their gold The other braid. discipline that seemed to suffer We sailed the next morning for MCM ops and a number from a lack of of ADEXs with their Airforce Viggen and Grippen hands was fighters.The force of three MCMVs were supported by firefighting and three fast attack craft providing air defence cover.The damage control. A real reason that the minehunters were operating on large degree of Lake Vaanern was in support of the local fishing their philosophy community (where have I heard that before?), clearing was based on the an airforce bombing range.Like ourselves the Royal theory that the Swedish Navy (RSN) has to justify their existence to the majority of fires are tax paying public in an ever changing political world. successfully Consequently their MCM fraternity are benefiting from a large amount of positive press coverage, both of their extinguished by the person discovering it. Any escalation of the incident and
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THE SWEDISH EXPERIENCE
the ship would the depths encountered were not extreme and then rely on this unwillingness to use a very capable asset closing down the was strange. aff ected compartment and The RSN showed me calling in external around their new support. To MCMV, the STYRSO emphasise this class. Unlike the fact the ship only LANDSORT (twin VS carried three units, no bow thrust) "BASCCA", two of this vessel has a which would be conventional used by the propulsion "attack party", arrangement more in with one set line with the HUNT. retained in However, state of the reserve. An art Bridge and A10 interesting systems (combined on scenario for our the bridge) distances wreckers perhaps? itself from the older British design. After four days day running, the MCMVs Positioning of the ROV left the fast attack boys and passaged hanger forward, away through the lock system of the from the underwater Trollhatte Canal to Gothenburg and the winches appears to be open sea (now where did I put my a sound decision. stugeron?) We arrived in Karlskrona However, the RSN has (their main base in the south) in time for the seen fit not to provide facilities for a CDE and weekend and their Coastal Fleet Mess Dinner has opted for total reliance upon their ROV and and Ball. After much persuasion (!) I accepted external diving support. Also the design only their invite and an offer of a blind date to help offers a mine avoidance hull mounted sonar with with translating the menu. My fears of escorting a towed side scan sonar. a 600 lb shot putter were unfounded, she didn't even like athletics! It has to be mentioned here The remainder of the second week involved visits that the RSN policy on what jobs conscripts are to other non MCM units, including their given has to be praised in one important area: Submarine Escape Training Tank (an 18m tank chefs. The two on our ship were excellent and providing you enjoyed fish, cooked or raw (and not a bit of batter in sight!), served dishes that would not have looked out of place at any high class restaurant. Not surprising since both had worked in top restaurants in Stockholm before their draft. Cheesey Hammy Eggy, "tank tracks" and chips will never look quite so appealing again.
It was also interesting to note the RSN employment of CDs. Apart from dedicated CD vessels (converted trawlers), their MCMVs carry a small CDE, principally 2 conscripts and 2 officers. The majority of the contacts investigated during the clearance of the bombing based on the RN one at Gosport) where in range was done by ROV, rather than diver. addition to submariners their Mine Divers, Perhaps this was down to the fact that the ROV Clearance Divers and helicopter aircrew practice (Single Eagle) [PHOT 05] was able to be rapidly free ascents. Glancing around their historic deployed, since it was physically small and dockyard one could spot weird and wonderful powered from the ship via an umbilical and thus 39 was not limited by battery life. Nevertheless, www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
FAREWELL TO THE 2641
FAREWELL TO THE 2641 AND ALL THAT!
By WO Lawrie DNIV(D)
A new ratings' appraisal report has been developed: gradual introduction is planned to start in autumn this year. The report is designed to make life easier for busy Divisional Officers by replacing the 2641, 281, and 206CW with one single report which will also be used for RM other ranks. A further boon: the new report only requires equipment, most of which the Swedish officers two, instead of three, sections of text: were happy enough to explain. Large submarine "saddle tanks" housing a minelaying system just assessment of current performance - how discarded on the jetty which were apparently well is the individual doing in his/her job and "not in service at present" and their in achieving results; experimental stealth ship, tied up and gutted of assessment of potential for those eligible for systems, which has acted as a technology promotion/further Service - current and long- demonstrator for their new stealthy corvette. term potential.
The new report removes any remaining mystique about "write ups" - it is fully open: all our men and women will receive a copy of each report written about them.
The new appraisal report is supported by two new documents which form part of the pan- Navy approach to the 'Investors in People' (IIP) accreditation. One is a Job Description and the other provides a through career record of Training and Development. The former will be primarily based on existing The two weeks were soon over and it was Ship/Unit/Department Orders and Terms of apparent that the RSN is keen to strike up some Reference; the latter should eventually form of link with ourselves and other NATO MCM replace most History Sheets. units. For despite their obvious skill and experience in minewarfare they are fully aware Overall, Divisional Officers will see benefits that their neutrality has denied them access to as the number of Service documents valuable "cross pollination" with organisations reduces, information is more logically such as NATO. The reciprocal part of the presented and report writing is reduced. exchange will occur later in the year, which Additionally, IT support, particularly should give me ample time to organise a suitable replacement "report writer" software, is prop forward blind date! fundamental: development work is underway and trials will take place in the next few months.
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41 41
2. 2. A comparison (called Gap Analysis) of the current practices compared compared practices current the of Analysis) Gap (called comparison A
1. 1. An explanation of IIP to the ship's company. company. ship's the to IIP of explanation An questions will be in the doing. doing. the in be will questions
the end of the day the shortest answer to all Kipling's Kipling's all to answer shortest the day the of end the
phases: phases: considering because IIP is a journey not a single event. At At event. single a not journey a is IIP because considering
The IIP accreditation process can be divided into five five into divided be can process accreditation IIP The FESTINA LENTE (make haste slowly) and this is worth worth is this and slowly) haste (make LENTE FESTINA
implementation. Roman Army principal of war was was war of principal Army Roman implementation.
How How
avoid bureaucracy and concentrate on the practicalities of of practicalities the on concentrate and bureaucracy avoid
Divisional and Training system. Above all an objective is to to is objective an all Above system. Training and Divisional - Be able to measure how well they are doing. doing. are they well how measure to able Be -
approach is to build on the solid foundations of the existing existing the of foundations solid the on build to is approach
- Have the materials, tools training and information to do their job. job. their do to information and training tools materials, the Have - has been investing in training for 300 years. Indeed, the the Indeed, years. 300 for training in investing been has
None of these principles are new to an organisation which which organisation an to new are principles these of None
- Know how to do their job and why it is important. important. is it why and job their do to how Know -
Summary Summary
their billet. billet. their
- Know, understand and agree the requirements and responsibilities of of responsibilities and requirements the agree and understand Know, -
- Greater motivation through focused teamwork. teamwork. focused through motivation Greater -
people must: must: people
what is going on. on. going is what
quality into all our endeavours. To perform at best our our best at perform To endeavours. our all into quality
- Better internal communications giving everyone an understanding of of understanding an everyone giving communications internal Better -
Commander in Chief Fleet. We can only do this by putting putting by this do only can We Fleet. Chief in Commander
Our main aim is to provide Operational Commitments to to Commitments Operational provide to is aim main Our - - Improved joining procedures. procedures. joining Improved
To the individuals: individuals: the To Why Why
that is every unit and individual. individual. and unit every is that - - Help manage change. change. manage Help
Defence to implement alignment with IIP standards. Simply, Simply, standards. IIP with alignment implement to Defence
- Encouragement of innovative thinking. thinking. innovative of Encouragement - made a formal commitment on behalf of the Ministry of of Ministry the of behalf on commitment formal a made
Chief of Defence and Permanent Under Secretary of State State of Secretary Under Permanent and Defence of Chief
- A concise Ship's Training Plan aligned with all the ship's objectives. objectives. ship's the all with aligned Plan Training Ship's concise A -
Who Who
- - A reaffirmation of the Divisional System. System. Divisional the of reaffirmation A
and seek continuous improvement. improvement. continuous seek and
To the ship: ship: the To
-Assessing the investment in training and development to ensure success success ensure to development and training in investment the -Assessing
Benefits Benefits
careers. careers.
- Action to train and develop individuals on joining and throughout their their throughout and joining on individuals develop and train to Action - MAY-DEC 99 99 MAY-DEC Rolling Accreditation Accreditation Rolling
- Regular review and planning of training needs of all employees. employees. all of needs training of planning and review Regular -
MAR 99 99 MAR Formal Commitment Commitment Formal
help achieve its organisational objectives. objectives. organisational its achieve help
DEC 98-APR 99 99 98-APR DEC Implement Action Plan Plan Action Implement
-Commitment from the top to develop all employees to to employees all develop to top the from -Commitment
NOV 98 98 NOV Action Plans produced produced Plans Action
communications relies on: on: relies communications
its integrated approach to training, development and and development training, to approach integrated its APR/MAY 98 98 APR/MAY Gap Analysis by MCS MCS by Analysis Gap
of their organisation. IIP is based on proven principles and and principles proven on based is IIP organisation. their of
MAR-MAY 98 98 MAR-MAY MCM1 Briefs 1&2 MCM ships ships MCM 1&2 Briefs MCM1 committed and fully developed in order to achieve the goals goals the achieve to order in developed fully and committed
upon the Royal Navy our people need to be motivated, motivated, be to need people our Navy Royal the upon When (in the Flotilla) Flotilla) the (in When
people. In order to meet the evolving demands placed placed demands evolving the meet to order In people.
groups have been established. established. been have groups encourage organisations to train and develop all their their all develop and train to organisations encourage
of approach within the Squadron. Within ships, steering steering ships, Within Squadron. the within approach of Investors in People is a national standard that seeks to to seeks that standard national a is People in Investors
nominated an IIP co-ordinator, who will ensure commonality commonality ensure will who co-ordinator, IIP an nominated
What What combine with MCM1 taking the lead. Each Squadron has has Squadron Each lead. the taking MCM1 with combine
separate units. For IIP purposes, MCM1 and MCM2 will will MCM2 and MCM1 purposes, IIP For units. separate
Kipling's six questions applied to Investors in People (IIP). (IIP). People in Investors to applied questions six Kipling's
Head Quarters and Superintendent of Diving area forming forming area Diving of Superintendent and Quarters Head
Here, though not in order, are some answers to Rudyard Rudyard to answers some are order, in not though Here,
Squadrons will be accredited as "autonomous units" with with units" "autonomous as accredited be will Squadrons
And how and where and who; who; and where and how And
5. 5. Assess against the National Standard. Standard. National the against Assess
Their names are what and why and when, when, and why and what are names Their
(They taught me all I knew); knew); I all me taught (They
4. 4. Implement the plan. plan. the Implement
I keep six honest serving men men serving honest six keep I
3. 3. Development of an action plan to close the gap. gap. the close to plan action an of Development
by Cdr Colin Welborn - MCM1 MCM1 - Welborn Colin Cdr by
interview. interview.
EXCELLENCE IS A HABIT NOT AN ACT ACT AN NOT HABIT A IS EXCELLENCE with the required National Standards. This is done by questionnaire and and questionnaire by done is This Standards. National required the with
I I P EXPLAINED EXPLAINED P I I www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
BABY TALK
AB DIVER POC 115 After these two weeks we were fully ready for live- in week. We arrived at DDS on the 27 October 1997 to embark on AB(D)115 PQC. The prospect of being This was to be the largest test of endurance that thrown together working as a close team for a any of us had ever experienced. This is where our duration of five months held a little comfort for all ready-formed team work was tested to the limit. involved. However, as we are now aware only three Regrettably our team suffered a major set back, of the team were to make it! we lost two course members due to medical problems. We were now on the skin of our teeth It was here we all got to know each other a little since the minimum number of three on course was better, straight into wit, sarcasm and darned right reached. Of course, it made it no easier for those taking the P out of one another. It appeared that remaining, but through good team work and a ground work had already been laid in the process stubborn non-defeatist attitude we overcame live of becoming divers. We soon appreciated how in-week. Just in time to load the lorry for Portland. fortunate we were to be on course after discussing the varying difficulties in just getting this far. Next stop, Portland! and sea bed searches. This Although this was shallow mud compared to what was to be our first time detached from Horsea. After was to be tackled later! having learned to dive DSSCCD we could actually relate to the tasks that we executed as part of our After drawing our kit we were then introduced to bread and butter. Our team work had now come new ways of freshening up in the mornings by into fruition this became apparent in the preparing means of group circuits, which our cardiovascular and laying of the searches at Portland Harbour, systems grew to know and love. From here it was facing all of the elements of a typical December straight into the classroom for three days of intense day. After two weeks of hard but enjoyable work, HSE Diver First Aid Training, this classroom work the course departed Portland feeling competent put us at the foot of the steep learning curve we and confident enough to lay and dive any of the were to endeavour to climb throughout the course. searches. At this point the Staff unleashed us for what we thought was a well earned Christmas The first day of the SABA phase put our feet firmly break. in the starting blocks of our chosen careers, and we found that is exactly what we were doing, since It was now even colder! So thank goodness the this phase immediately started with the DPFT. New Year started with a two day introductory Which was a good warm up, because after that course to mine warfare. This gave us a good our feet didn't touch the ground! introduction to mines and how the whole system in general gets a mine on deck. Then it was back After we were all fully conversant with the to Horsea and on to another new piece of equipment it was on to the endurance swims, our equipment Surface Demand Diving equipment water fitness improving by the day, especially the KMB17/18. non ships divers. Week 3 and it was up to Portsmouth Harbour for ships bottom searches, a Paisley tank at Horsea Island is as good a place as scary encounter for the non ships divers, and even any to get your head wet on any new piece of worse for those who had to dive with them! By the equipment. We were able to build up our end of this week it was fair to say the entire course confidence on the diving set and panel operator were 'level pegging' with one another. drills. Having reached the standard required with SDDE all that was left to do was to load the wagon With the air phase successfully completed it was for the Kyle of Lochalsh. on to DSSCCD which we had heard so many horror stories about [as we are now aware divers don't After two whole days loading and unloading and exaggerate much!]. We were also introduced to loading the ISO container we were given two days, our friend, the hand booster pump. This is where from Friday to prepare for the flight to Inverness. the course were to step up a gear, both physically and mentally. Some of the evening classes and The two second dickies met us at Inverness airport, leisure entertainments introduced, included funnily enough the permanent grin that was usually pleasant strolls across Port Solent Mud Flats as fixed to their face had gone, maybe the snow and the sun went down, and further time spent listening ice and blistering blizzards had something to do to the cogs turning learning more physics of diving. 42 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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43 43
PO(D) J Gofton. Gofton. J PO(D)
Front row row Front WO(D) C J Hughes (Course Officer), Lt Col R G R Hall RE (Officer in Charge) Charge) in (Officer RE Hall R G R Col Lt Officer), (Course Hughes J C WO(D)
Back row row Back A/AB(D) P E Noland, A/AB(D) R Halliday, A/AB(D) G T Waring. Waring. T G A/AB(D) Halliday, R A/AB(D) Noland, E P A/AB(D)
AB(D) POC 115 115 POC AB(D)
With KMB phase completed we then did a reversal reversal a did then we completed phase KMB With life - the Nor West Bar, IN DRAG! DRAG! IN Bar, West Nor the - life
the grand visitation of the epicentre of Scottish night night Scottish of epicentre the of visitation grand the
objectives over the weekend ... ouch! ouch! ... weekend the over objectives three, involving themselves with the Course Officer in in Officer Course the with themselves involving three,
in the classroom. We also achieved all the social social the all achieved also We classroom. the in that much more sweet by the remaining pitiful but elated elated but pitiful remaining the by sweet more much that
narcosis which up until then had only been a lesson lesson a been only had then until up which narcosis The bitter pill of the intensity of the course was made made was course the of intensity the of pill bitter The
aim, in the process feeling the effects of nitrogen nitrogen of effects the feeling process the in aim,
to 50m using SDDE, we successfully achieved the the achieved successfully we SDDE, using 50m to 1000 minutes didn't start now. now. start didn't minutes 1000
Datchet. The objective of Week 1 was to work-up work-up to was 1 Week of objective The Datchet. which gave us invaluable experience. Pity our our Pity experience. invaluable us gave which
second humble abode on board fleet diving tender tender diving fleet board on abode humble second course this meant we had maximum in-water time, time, in-water maximum had we meant this course
lorry was quickly unloaded and we set up our our up set we and unloaded quickly was lorry air depth dive, and with only three students left on on left students three only with and dive, depth air
Monday morning came quicker than expected, the the expected, than quicker came morning Monday mixtures and also include an afternoon equivalent equivalent afternoon an include also and mixtures
work-up to 54m using the three different gas gas different three the using 54m to work-up
three week stay [life's small luxury]. luxury]. small [life's stay week three With ten days left to dive it was busy, we had to to had we busy, was it dive to left days ten With
standard, which was maintained throughout our our throughout maintained was which standard, opportunity to see how much you've forgotten. forgotten. you've much how see to opportunity
greeted with a lovely Sunday dinner at a very high high very a at dinner Sunday lovely a with greeted
crafty move from the Staff since this gives them an an them gives this since Staff the from move crafty
with it. We arrived at Balmacara House to be be to House Balmacara at arrived We it. with and pulled DSSCCD out of the box again, very very again, box the of out DSSCCD pulled and
BABY TALK TALK BABY www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
ADVENTUROUS TRAINING
FLEET DIVING UNIT ONE - EXPED TO new stickies. Then onto Rhiwiall Caws (Idwal Slabs). A SNOWDONIA, "BIG GULP II" smooth slab, unbroken for 450 feet, although it has many holds, many are well burnished after years of traffic. The By Doug Sterialt openness gives a notable impression of exposure, and belay ledges are few and far apart. Paul Bathena and I Exped Members: started on subwall climb 340 feet SEVERE, but moved over to Faith after 120 feet and the first belay stance, as MARK RUSSELL there was almost a river running down our route, which DOUG STEWART was the last thing I needed having fallen into a stream KEV THOMPSON earlier that day, to everyone's amusement. PAUL BHATHENA STEVE VERNON Key Thompson, Steve Vernon and Steve Strange started LESLEY VERNON on Faith 440 feet (VERY DIFFICULT **) and climbed as a STEVE STRANGE three. The crag was very busy and the climbs/descent SI MARSTON took up most of the day. Si Marston joined Paul and I at the first belay stance, where Paul was heard to mutter, After some late cancellations and frantic phone calls to the "that he wasn't that happy at being above a flying seagull". Warden, Vance at Bethesda, the Landrover, packed with victuals from HMS EXCELLENT, and equipment loaned A couple of the party climbed to the summit of Snowdon from the Army at Thatcham, departed the Fleet Diving and were well rewarded with the views on a fine, sunny Group Headquarters on Sunday 6 July 1997 en route to day. North Wales. WEDNESDAY 9 JULY We all met up at the Naval Air Command Mountain Centre, in Bethesda later that evening, and sorted out our A change of scenery and mood were decided on for today, accommodation, victuals etc. Everything sorted and and the Landroverfully laden headed forthe Llanberis Pass. everyone having arrived safely, we adjourned to a local bar to discuss the finer points of rock climbing! Carreg Wastad (the Flat Crag) was chosen, it has a few hundred yards up the valley from Clogwyn y Grochan and MONDAY 7 JULY is opposite the climbers' club hut.
After nearly 3 weeks of heavy rain, we couldn't believe our Key Thompson and Si Marston started on Wrinkle luck, on waking to a clear and bright morning. After a 235 feet, (VERY DIFFICULT ***), the last pitch is quite hasty breakfast, gear was sorted out and the team full of hard for its grade, being polished and protection scarce to enthusiasm headed for the Milestone Buttress, picked for say the least, but a satisfying climb. Steve Strange and I its position, only 1/2 mile from the cottage, and having routes went for Crackstone Rib, 175 feet (SEVERE ***), one of from DIFFICULT through to HARD VERY SEVERE, which the Welsh classics, it has a very fine exposed rib pitch, suited everyone in the party. which makes for good photographs, even though it was mid week, climbers were queuing to make the climb. The first route to surrender was Direct Route (*** VD), Key Thompson and Si Marston went on to climb climbed by all, a tough VD in places, 5 pitches and slightly Crackstone Rib, and we went up Wrinkle. polished. This is one of the most popular climbs in the valley and the classic of the Milestone, and was enjoyed Scouse and Lesley Vernon chose today to summit by all even Mark Russell, on his first taste of rock climbing. Snowdon, and a few of the team went for an epic mountain Nearly all the other routes were done on the front of the bike session. Milestone, including Pulpit route 230 feet - DIFF, which has an exciting exit after a chimney, through a hole on the THURSDAY 10 JULY right, then the world's scariest pull up on good holds to finish. Initially tried at Tremadog, but it was very busy, and due to some of the party wanting to go through Abseiling and TUESDAY 8 JULY belay procedures prior to Rock Leader Training Course, we relocated to a small crag in the Ogwen Valley, opposite Another glorious day, in fact the weather was kind to use Llynall Mymbyr. all week, unlike the Army rock boots which had chewed mine and Si Marston's feet to ribbons, to such an extent Abseils were set up, including releasable abseils, belay that we detoured to Cotswold camping and bought some techniques etc. Some small climbs were set up, and the 44 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
ADVENTUROUS TRAINING
team taken through, climbing past protection, escaping the financial support and ensured that the group were system and assisted hoists etc. A rewarding day was had prepared in all respects for the 5 day expedition. by all, and we all hit the streets of Bangor that evening to If you are thinking of planning a period of celebrate a fine week. Adventurous Training then Lt Cdr Kenealy can be contacted on Portsmouth Naval Base FRIDAY 11 JULY extension 24426.
Everyone got off to an early start and we were clear of the Accommodation was provided by the Joint cottage by 10 o'clock, and en route south to Portsmouth. Services Scottish Recreation Centre at Rothiemurchus Lodge. This magnificent centre The Tai Newyddion Navy Cottage proved to be a first class is set in a remote section of the Rothiemurchus facility and was reasonably priced. Anyone interested are Estate in the heart of the Cairngorms, some reminded that the cottage is now self funding and therefore 7 miles from Aviemore. It provides fees must be covered by all those making a reservation. accommodation to parties of Regular, Reserves and Cadets from all 3 services and their families. Accommodation can be booked by contacting the Warden, The Lodge consists of 2 Buildings - the Nuffield Vance, on 01248 600416. Lodge and the Union Jack Lodge. Accommodation is generally in 4 berth cabins which are double glazed and centrally heated with a total capacity for 102 persons. Visitors THE CROMNESS EXPEDITION are required to self cater but facilities are first 27-31 OCTOBER 1997 class, the kitchens being fully equipped with fridge, freezer, crockery and cutlery. Bedpacks By LT CDR Topsy- Turner CO HMS CROMER. are supplied consisting of: duvets, covers, sheet and pillowcases with hand and bath towels for Taking advantage of their ship's maintenance each guest. Costs are £7.50 per person per night periods, members of the Ships Companies of with lower rates for children. For further HMS ships CROMER and INVERNESS took part information contact Doug or Meg Blair in a 5 day Adventurous Training expedition in the (Managers) on Aviemore (01479) 861288. Cairngorm area from 27-31 October 1997.
During the week the group completed a challenging 35 kilometre route which embraced the Cairngorm summit itself and the adjacent Ben Macdui. In addition the group enjoyed less ambitious low level walks as well as a morning of horse riding in the Kingussie area. On the planned rest day individuals took the opportunity to test their skills at 4 x 4 off road driving and to mountain bike through the beautiful Glenmore Forest. The weather was unseasonably clear and fine and overall the trip was acclaimed a resounding success by all those From Left to Right. involved inspiring planning for future expeditions. Slt. Chris T11177e1: Ini ernes. The group were grateful for the advice and OHL Scouse Ken: Inverness. assistance of Lt Cdr T M Kenealy (Fleet Lt Cell: Nick Borbone. Cromer Recreation Officer) who arranged the necessary S Lt. Stele Couch. Cromer:
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DRIVE NAVY
THE RN DIVERS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 1997 EMERGENCY DRIVING WITH THE DEVON AND CORNWALL TRAFFIC POLICE By WO (D) Spike Hughes By LS(D) Russ Russell SDU2 The RN Divers Golf Championship 1997 was once again a resounding success. This was due mainly to the large Having just successfully completed a two week number of entrants (in excess of ninety) serving, ex-RN emergency response driving course with the Devon and Clearance Divers and guests attending. Cornwall Traffic Police, I thought it would be a good idea to put pen to paper and spread the good Under near perfect word. weather conditions for golf, Southwick My two fellow students for the course, which ran from Park saw CPO Diver April 20th through to May 1st, were LS(D) A J Wheeler regain John Battersby and LS(D) Jonah Jones, both from the Divers' top prize SDU1. We would be day running from the diving in style and equalling section for the duration of the course, stopping at the Championship various police stations around the south-west for record of gross 147 lunch. over two rounds. Runner-up was PO Day One consisted of our introduction to our driving Diver Jess Owen. instructor, MPC Gary Jane from Bodmin Traffic Other successes Division, who is extremely well known throughout the were 1st Division Devon and Cornwall area as one of their best drivers. Stableford winner of the Ebinger Trophy, After proving that we could drive on paper we then CPO (D) had to go out on the public roads in Southern Diving Dave Southwell, Unit l's Astra and prove to him that this was the case. 2nd Division Stableford winner of the Carleton Trophy, Generally all three students were assessed as poor AB(D) Spud Murphy and WO(D) Spike Hughes MARA drivers, taking into consideration that we had all been Engineering 24 Handicap Trophy winner beating a very "Blue Light Driving" for various units over a number of despondent WO Diver on a count back. By the way years. Donkey, the decanter looks great! The Mick Fellows Pairs Trophy was won by A J Wheeler and D Bailey. Our first objective was to shake off over ten years of The putting competition won by John Dadd and the gallow bad driving and to generally try and perfect our gear of whiskey hole along with the evening's raffle, helped raise changing, so as to avoid severe whiplash at every over 250 for The Evelina Children's Hospital' taking the gear change. Smooth steering was next on the total sum raised by the competition to nearly 3,000. The agenda, closely followed up by educating us to take prizes were presented by Commodore Richard Moore in more information about our surroundings. By day RTD, and the evening concluded with a disco and good three we started to see quite an improvement and it old sing a long. Worthy of mention is CPO(D) Spider Webb, was at this point we started introducing the blue lights who quickly overcame his disappointment at coming runner and sirens, then we all started getting plenty of driving up for the Wooden Spoon, and returned his winnings from hours under our belts. the raffle donating it to charity.
Thank you to last year's sponsors for their support: Solent Divers, Carleton Technologies Inc, MARA Engineering, Pressure Products, Divex, Haskel Energy Systems, and MSI Defence Systems.
The names in the photographs are Commodore Richard Moore (Rtd), Mr P Owen, Guests Champion, PO(D) Jess Owen, Championship Runner-up, CPO(D) A J Wheeler, Divers Champion.
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DRIVE NAVY
By the end of the first week we had moved on to use Superintendent of Diving, Commander Hilton, who an RN EOD Land Rover and MPC Jane felt that we was in the area visiting SDU1 at the time. had improved sufficiently, although there was still an awful lot of room for improvement. On Wednesday we carried on with more response driving, in preparation for working up to our final test For the Monday of week two we were given a fifty at the end of the week. On the Thursday we managed thousand pound fully marked-up "R" registration Range to get a police escort so that each of us could Rover to take off-road for the day. However during the experience driving through urban and city roads demonstration drive we managed to prove that the safely, at speed, where appropriate. Range Rover is possibly not quite as off-road capable as it should be, for whilst taking it through a deep Unfortunately the police Range Rover that was ravine the Range Rover decided to cut out. MPC originally going to escort us that afternoon was Gary Jane and Jonah at this point managed to escape diverted to a serious accident and whilst on route to and go for help, whilst myself and John were left bailing this, blew up! "Apparently" it had got water inside the deep pile carpet out with our berets. Once pulled the engine a few days earlier. Whoops, guess which clear we got to the root of the problem, a badly placed one it was? air filter intake, which we managed to rectify and we went on to have a thoroughly enjoyable and informative day getting to grips with the various techniques used.
Finally, on the day of the tests, we all passed with flying colours and came away better and safer drivers for it.
On reflection all I can say is what a great course and Tuesday morning we spent on the skid pan. For this about time too! All the police officers involved could we had a two litre Mondeo which was permanently not have been more enthusiastic and were only too fixed to (and sitting in) a hydraulic frame with a trolley pleased to help us in any way they could. In week wheel at each corner. From the passenger seat one there is even an opportunity to go out on duty the instructor uses a hand control to lift or drop the for an evening with a traffic policeman if you wish. Mondeo within the frame, so as to alter the traction to each of the four wheels, in any sequence. With My message to you all is, if you do get a chance to discrete fine adjustment it is possible to induce all get on the course, get your name down quick. You kinds of situations, from understeer and oversteer definitely won't regret it! right through to aquaplaning and other wonderful skids. This again proved to be a very useful exercise which all three of us enjoyed immensely. The afternoon was spent back on the public roads in our Land Rover and at this point we got the opportunity to show off our newly acquired talents to the new 47 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
CANADIAN EXCHANGE
CANADA, Eh?
By Lt Cdr Jonathan Lee RN
The Family in Canada
Let us not beat about the bush! Quality of life should be very important to every one of us, whether married, with a family or not. Hence, I start with what I consider to be a most important factor when considering 'accepting' an exchange post. And I say accept because everybody (I believe) always badgers the Appointer or Drafty for a foreign job but when push comes to shove and it's offered to you, all the reasons why you can't, shouldn't or ought not to accept, suddenly become more apparent. For us with 3 boys (all under 8 at the time), a wife who we thought, as a Physiotherapist, was employable anywhere in the world and a recently sold house, there were none of these barriers. November 22, 1997 couldn't arrive quickly enough with numerous calls to and from Tom Russell, who I was due to relieve. We had 7 days to domestically and professionally The second largest country in the world. 'turn-over', inheriting virtually everything from the Russells except the wife and kids! Tom's "Oporder" worked a dream The Job in Ottawa and ensured all the boxes were ticked before he, Karen and their girls left kicking and screaming for Scotland; I Ottawa is a lovely clean University City with a great can already understand why. Timothy (7) joined the local atmosphere. It is the National capital whereas Toronto (5 community school, Alastair (4) started at a small private hours drive away and where Mark Kessler is based)is the school, as free full-time education does not start in Canada Provincial capital of Ontario. The exchange post is based until they're 6, and Nicholas (1) began to get used to being in Louis St. Laurent (LSTL) Building, colloquially known as dumped in Child-care whilst Mum commenced a rigid Louis Stand Around A Lot", in Hull, Quebec -just over the (unemployed) exercise and social programme! river from Ottawa, Ontario. DNR 2-2, my title until 31 July Unfortunately, in order for her to be licensed to work in last year, was in the Directorate of Naval Requirements Canada, various very expensive practical and written exams Fleet support (Minewarfare). are required. If you have a few spare hours, or need a cure for insomnia, I'm sure she would love to explain the vagaries It is Canada's equivalent to DOR(SEA) RUMi in the MoD. of why there is not a common bilateral agreement on both In basic terms, my post reacted to Minewarfare (MW) that and free driving licences for spouses! Nevertheless, `Capability Deficiencies' from the two coasts by drafting all the family are having a great time here in Ottawa. Winter, Statements of Requirements, liaised with Defence Research really is winter. December through March there is LOADS and procurement staff, lobbied for funding from that ever of snow, it gets VERY cold, sometimes as low as -28°c diminishing pot and finally acted as Project Director for any plus wind chill! I'm sure that most of you heard about the projects that survived the selection process. Ice Storm last January, which brought many local communities to a standstill, after up to 82mm of freezing As of 31 July last year, the overall command structure of rain fell, severely damaging power lines, trees etc. the Canadian Navy changed: Maritime Command Nevertheless, the skiing (downhill & cross-country), ice- (MARCOM) (equivalent of FOSF) was in Halifax, Nova Scotia skating and ice hockey become a way of life. We have just but moved to the National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) started our second, traditionally short spring, and now in Ottawa and was renamed Central Maritime Staff (CMS). summer has already started. Air-conditioning at home, work My title and job then became even more complicated: and in the car is essential and the 12' x 3 swimming pool in DMPPD 5-2/ N34-4-1, translated as Directorate of Maritime the garden, will again get regular use. We've 'done' Niagara Policy & Project Development, Underwater (Minewarfare) Falls, spent last Summer driving throughout the Maritimes and therefore gained the MW 'policy' issues. This was a on the East Coast, and this July are heading to the Canadian very positive change as MW is now recognised as a warfare Rockies. Enough of that, what about the job? discipline rather than a support function, however this new post has obviously diluted the time available for both MW Policy and Project Development. I now report to a different Commander, responsible for both AW and UW matters. 48 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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49 49
takes place at the Fleet School, Quebec City. City. Quebec School, Fleet the at place takes bathymetry information for the Coastal Operations Operations Coastal the for information bathymetry
Before joining an MCDV, the necessary MW training training MW necessary the MCDV, an joining Before collected from this will be the main source of seabed seabed of source main the be will this from collected
rating posts) of the MCDV, from CO to most junior. junior. most to CO from MCDV, the of posts) rating scan sonar, also operable to 200 metres. The data data The metres. 200 to operable also sonar, scan
forms the full ship's company (except for 2 WE senior senior WE 2 for (except company ship's full the forms and comprises a towfish housing a multi-beam side- multi-beam a housing towfish a comprises and
so their Reserve Navy takes long-term contracts and and contracts long-term takes Navy Reserve their so The Route Survey payload will be trialed this year, year, this trialed be will payload Survey Route The
DRYAD. There is no MW sub-specialisation in Canada Canada in sub-specialisation MW no is There DRYAD. designed or built to operate close to a mine threat. threat. mine a to close operate to built or designed
future MWO and Advanced MW courses at HMS HMS at courses MW Advanced and MWO future Vehicle (BOIV) is also available however it was not not was it however available also is (BOIV) Vehicle
course and there should be regular numbers on all all on numbers regular be should there and course or 'Team' sweep. The Bottom Object Investigation Investigation Object Bottom The sweep. 'Team' or
Certainly MW is assuming a larger part of the CD 0's 0's CD the of part larger a assuming is MW Certainly mechanical sweep which can operate as an `Oropesa' `Oropesa' an as operate can which sweep mechanical
diving-related appointments. This is now changing. changing. now is This appointments. diving-related various MW payloads. A 200 metre depth US US depth metre 200 A payloads. MW various
as the majority return to Diving Units or other purely purely other or Units Diving to return majority the as has utilized the modular approach to achieve the the achieve to approach modular the utilized has
to progress and promote their recent MW experiences, experiences, MW recent their promote and progress to ahead in the present financial climate and Canada Canada and climate financial present the in ahead
Canada there have been minimal career opportunities opportunities career minimal been have there Canada capability. The multi-role concept is certainly the way way the certainly is concept multi-role The capability.
Ops and XO of UK MCMVs. However, on returning to to returning on However, MCMVs. UK of XO and Ops Coastal Patrol, Surveillance Operations and an MCM MCM an and Operations Surveillance Patrol, Coastal
HMS DRYAD and also completed exchange posts as as posts exchange completed also and DRYAD HMS role as a PP (Patrol Craft). Its formalized roles are are roles formalized Its Craft). (Patrol PP a as role
Minewarfare at HMS VERNON, Gunwharf and latterly latterly and Gunwharf VERNON, HMS at Minewarfare (MCMV), its name alone implies that it has a primary primary a has it that implies alone name its (MCMV),
divers and many who have both qualified in in qualified both have who many and divers intended. Although its NATO designator is MM MM is designator NATO its Although intended.
Canada has a plethora of very experienced Clearance Clearance experienced very of plethora a has Canada happens the world over, not quite what the vision vision the what quite not over, world the happens
out of the procurement and building process was, as as was, process building and procurement the of out
Minewarfare in Canada Canada in Minewarfare ex-Mine Sweeper (Fleet) (MSF). What eventually came came eventually What (MSF). (Fleet) Sweeper ex-Mine
be said, is not a million miles away from the RNR's RNR's the from away miles million a not is said, be
potential MCM assets. assets. MCM potential ideas. The MCDV's size, shape and design, it has to to has it design, and shape size, MCDV's The ideas.
role to a SMCDO/S00 to advise on and task these these task and on advise to SMCDO/S00 a to role served in the UK and returned with many positive positive many with returned and UK the in served
need for a Minewarfare staff officer to assume a similar similar a assume to officer staff Minewarfare a for need Holloway; and Canadians like Jim Hewitt who had had who Hewitt Jim like Canadians and Holloway;
operational - final one in 1999. There is therefore a a therefore is There 1999. in one final - operational predecessors such as Dan Nicholson and Martyn Martyn and Nicholson Dan as such predecessors
Defence Vessels (MCDVs) are now becoming becoming now are (MCDVs) Vessels Defence reaction to extensive lobbying from my more distant distant more my from lobbying extensive to reaction
me, not least of which is that the 12 Maritime Coastal Coastal Maritime 12 the that is which of least not me, hunting, sweeping and destroying mines and was in in was and mines destroying and sweeping hunting,
this should happen and why a Canadian should relieve relieve should Canadian a why and happen should this `all singing all dancing' MCM platform, capable of of capable platform, MCM dancing' all singing `all
in Halifax. There are many good reasons both why why both reasons good many are There Halifax. in equipment. The MCDV was initially intended to be an an be to intended initially was MCDV The equipment.
5/MOG 5) (equivalent to a DD/FF/SS/MM Squadron) Squadron) DD/FF/SS/MM a to (equivalent 5) 5/MOG announced the acquisition of MCM-capable ships and and ships MCM-capable of acquisition the announced
to join MAROPSGRU5 (Maritime Operations Group Group Operations (Maritime MAROPSGRU5 join to as primary roles for the Naval Reserve. They also also They Reserve. Naval the for roles primary as
All that being said, this MW exchange post will move move will post exchange MW this said, being that All in particular MCM and Naval Control of Shipping (NCS) (NCS) Shipping of Control Naval and MCM particular in
Commitment", assigned Maritime Coastal Defence, Defence, Coastal Maritime assigned Commitment",
The Future Job in Halifax Halifax in Job Future The Canada's 1987 Defence White Paper Challenge & & Challenge Paper White Defence 1987 Canada's
The CMS Organisational Tree as it affects my post. post. my affects it as Tree Organisational CMS The The Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel (MCDV) (MCDV) Vessel Defence Coastal Maritime The
I I
Lt Cdr J C Lee Lee C J Cdr Lt
Requirements Requirements I I Requirements
Minewarfare Minewarfare
Diving Diving , UW Sensors Sensors UW , UW Sensors Sensors UW UW Weapons Weapons UW ' UW Weapons Weapons UW '
DMPPD 5-2 5-2 DMPPD DMPPD 5-3 5-3 DMPPD DMPPD 5.4 5.4 DMPPD DMPPD 5-4-2 5-4-2 DMPPD DMPPD 5-5 5-5 DMPPD DMPPD 5-5-2 5-5-2 DMPPD
Cdr Westlake Westlake Cdr Coord Coord
UWW UWW
Resource Resource Development Development Surveillance Surveillance Support Support
Program & & Program
DMPPD 5 5 DMPPD Class Class AWW AWW Naval C2 C2 Naval Comms & & Comms IM IM Fleet Fleet
Capt(N) Murphy Murphy Capt(N)
(DMPPD) (DMPPD)
(DM FE) FE) (DM (DDIVS) (DDIVS) Project Development Development Project (DMCD) (DMCD)
Force Employment Employment Force Diving Safety Safety Diving Maritime Policy & & Policy Maritime Concepts & Doctrine Doctrine & Concepts
Cdre Faulkner Faulkner Cdre
(DGMDO/ACMS)) (DGMDO/ACMS))
& Operations Operations &
(DGNP) (DGNP) (DGMM) (DGMM) (COMPT) (COMPT)
Maritime Development Development Maritime Naval Personnel Personnel Naval Materiel Generation Generation Materiel Corporate Management Management Corporate
VAdm Maddison Maddison VAdm
(CMS) (CMS)
Chief of Maritime Staff Staff Maritime of Chief
CANADIAN EXCHANGE EXCHANGE CANADIAN www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
CANADIAN EXCHANGE
Planning & Analysis Centre (COPAC) a Canadian Mine sonar payload will be deployed within a tow fish Warfare Data Centre. down to 200 metres. The disposal problem will be addressed later, probably with a one shot COTS The Coastal Operations Planning & Analysis system, once the Route Survey/Surveillance Centre (COPAC) capability of the RMS has matured. Funding is now in place for a 4-year R & D Project in collaboration This almost completed analysis facility will provide with industry and contracts should be placed by 2 deployable systems with identical hardware & the end of this year. Remote Mine hunt mg is software to the Minewarfare Control System undoubtedly the way to go. (MWCS) in the MCDV. It will be a Route Survey Data Base, however the intention is to develop the Versatile Exercise Mine System (VEMS) capability to be interactive with National C2 systems - based on the Joint Maritime Command Information Last year, Canada took delivery of 1 system for each System (JMCIS); to produce detailed MW Pilot coast (4 mines) for Diver MCM/EOD training and information including water column data; and to as a MCM exercise/tactical evaluation tool. Training be collocated with an MCM tasking Authority. It has on the system has taken place and will undergo also been recognised that it should incorporate full OPVAL this April. data-exchange interoperability with Minewarfare Data Centres (MWDCs) of other NATO nations. In Summary
The Remote Minehunting System (RMS) A lot of excellent work has been done by my predecessors in helping to promote and advise on Much 'in the margins' Research and Development MW matters and their efforts are now beginning to has already been carried out on a Canadian RMS, come to fruition. The education process to the however a more formal Major Development is about uninitiated has been a daunting and onerous task. to get underway. The basic requirement is for the However, the mere fact that last year Canada remote control of an unmanned vehicle utilising a hosted their first MW Symposium in Halifax, Nova minehunting sensor suite to survey, detect and Scotia which was attended by representatives from classify mines. Other considerations are for it to Cdre MFP, HMS DRYAD, STANAVFORCHAN and be operable from an MCDV, Craft of Opportunity COMINEWARCOM; and this year will be hosting (COOP) or from shore; to incorporate a launch & both STANAVFORCHAN and the US Advanced recovery system; a Computer Aided Detection and Concept Technical Demonstrations at their Classification (CAD/CAC) facility; real time telemetry MARCOT in June '98, are in themselves an and to be fully road/rail/air transportable. The tow indication of Canada's heightened MW profile. vehicle will most likely be the Dolphin Mk2 - a 27 foot, diesel powered semi-submersible capable of upto 18 knots in a sea-state 5 whilst maintaining Many Canadians finish their sentences with impressive stability. The multi-beam side-scan eh?" but are not necessarily expecting an answer!
CANADIAN REMOTE MINEHUNTING SYSTEM CONCEPT Costal Planning & Computer automated Analysis Centre mine detection & classification consoles Line of sight datalink
Autonomous semi-submersible drone
Towbody & multi-beam sonar 50 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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51 51
upgrade, a replacement replacement a upgrade,
Enclosed Mine Lifting Bag, Bag, Lifting Mine Enclosed never a dull moment at Abbey Wood, not in WE123 WE123 in not Wood, Abbey at moment dull a never
items are there, for example example for there, are items
VEMS Mk2, Mk2, VEMS a a MTSS MTSS goes on behind the scenes is extensive and there is is there and extensive is scenes the behind on goes
there are fewer new projects on the horizon. Some Some horizon. the on projects new fewer are there
amount of negotiating, bartering and juggling that that juggling and bartering negotiating, of amount
what of the next half-decade? It will be no surprise that that surprise no be will It half-decade? next the of what
cannot be met on time, if at all, but believe me the the me believe but all, at if time, on met be cannot
These significant achievements cannot be decried but but decried be cannot achievements significant These
those on the coal face especially when some requests requests some when especially face coal the on those
possible. This effort is probably not appreciated by by appreciated not probably is effort This possible.
MMs. MMs.
meet as many of the MCM squadron priorities as as priorities squadron MCM the of many as meet
replace the Type 7A one man chamber onboard all all onboard chamber man one 7A Type the replace
spares availability takes some doing when we aim to to aim we when doing some takes availability spares
Chamber Chamber (TMCC aka 2CCC Type C) follows on to to on follows C) Type 2CCC aka (TMCC
Juggling priorities between financial constraints and and constraints financial between priorities Juggling
pace, the the pace, Transportable Manned Compression Compression Manned Transportable
service MCM equipment, is just as interesting. interesting. as just is equipment, MCM service
capability in May 1998. Marching to a slightly slower slower slightly a to Marching 1998. May in capability
The other side of the coin, involving support of all in- all of support involving coin, the of side other The
1997 whilst whilst 1997 CDBA CDBA achieved an operational 80 metre metre 80 operational an achieved
Buoyancy Control Aid turned DSSCCA into into DSSCCA turned Aid Control Buoyancy
SABA SABA in in and, most importantly, to visit the ships. ships. the visit to importantly, most and,
B B were the first major items of new equipment (1994). (1994). equipment new of items major first the were
opportunity to travel around (albeit mainly to Scotland) Scotland) to mainly (albeit around travel to opportunity
Compartment Compression Chambers Types A A Types Chambers Compression Compartment
and and as I am heavily involved in trials which provide the the provide which trials in involved heavily am I as
well as operational capability, the impressive impressive the capability, operational as well
Two- systems. This makes my job all the more interesting interesting more the all job my makes This systems.
On the Diving side, driven by H&S considerations as as considerations H&S by driven side, Diving the On
continued the introduction into service of these these of service into introduction the continued
WE123 retained the procurement responsibilities and and responsibilities procurement the retained WE123
support problems. problems. support
transition from DGUW(N) to DSWE and therefore therefore and DSWE to DGUW(N) from transition
has set new standards of sonar performance in spite of of spite in performance sonar of standards new set has
equipments were still in development during the the during development in still were equipments
Sonar 2093, 2093, Sonar transferred to DSWE in April 1998, which which 1998, April in DSWE to transferred
grave', WE123 was almost unique in that some some that in unique almost was WE123 grave',
details. Ed.). Ed.). details. Arguably the most significant item is is item significant most the Arguably
longer responsible for MW equipment 'from cradle to to cradle 'from equipment MW for responsible longer
unbelievable but see WO Dean's article for more TAG TAG more for article Dean's WO see but unbelievable
from, in the main, new people. Whilst DSWE is no no is DSWE Whilst people. new main, the in from,
even seen a new beginning for for beginning new a seen even
MSSA Mk1 Mk1 MSSA (almost (almost The move enabled a fresh start and fresh thoughts thoughts fresh and start fresh a enabled move The
Hydrographic Office in March 1998. The past year has has year past The 1998. March in Office Hydrographic
Wood, almost certainly a good thing in my opinion. opinion. my in thing good a certainly almost Wood,
the the Route Survey Data Base Base Data Survey Route
was delivered to the the to delivered was busy. Firstly the move from Weymouth to MOD Abbey Abbey MOD to Weymouth from move the Firstly busy.
assisted MCMTA support, entered service in 1994 whilst whilst 1994 in service entered support, MCMTA assisted
My first year as the MW Applicator has been extremely extremely been has Applicator MW the as year first My
but nevertheless an important step towards computer- towards step important an nevertheless but
maligned as a speed-bump on the information highway highway information the on speed-bump a as maligned
B% WO(1lit)(0) WO(1lit)(0) B% "Divie - - Dean MBE. MBE. Dean 123A2 123A2
delivery of a new batch of vehicles in 1998. 1998. in vehicles of batch new a of delivery MTSS, MTSS, oft oft
in 1997. Also Also 1997. in RCMDS Mk 2 2 Mk RCMDS Minesweeping is a Day Wasted" Wasted" Day a is Minesweeping which achieved FWA and and FWA achieved which
MMs which achieved Fleet Weapon Acceptance (FWA) (FWA) Acceptance Weapon Fleet achieved which MMs Minewarfare Matters or "A Day Without Without Day "A or Matters Minewarfare
post-Operation Granby enhancement to HUNT Class Class HUNT to enhancement Granby post-Operation
The MW achievements include include achievements MW The Sonar 193M MAS, MAS, 193M Sonar a a
has seen an extensive range of equipment enter service. service. enter equipment of range extensive an seen has
community are to criticise our kit. Yet the past few years years few past the Yet kit. our criticise to are community the past year. year. past the
It always strikes me how quick we in the MW and Diving Diving and MW the in we quick how me strikes always It keep our colleagues in the front-line supported during during supported front-line the in colleagues our keep
of DSWE staff, military and civilian, male and female, to to female, and male civilian, and military staff, DSWE of
Programme Overview Overview Programme what the rest of this article is about, namely the efforts efforts the namely about, is article this of rest the what
the operators at the lowest possible cost. And that is is that And cost. possible lowest the at operators the
part of MOD(PE)! MOD(PE)! of part keeping the kit that we have serviceable and useful to to useful and serviceable have we that kit the keeping
Life Support Equipment. For the record, we are NOT NOT are we record, the For Equipment. Support Life increasingly on in-service support or, in basic terms, terms, basic in or, support in-service on increasingly
procurement of some MW systems and all Diving and and Diving all and systems MW some of procurement empty. Accordingly, the focus of attention today is is today attention of focus the Accordingly, empty.
postcard. DSWE also retains responsibility for the the for responsibility retains also DSWE postcard. end just as, coincidentally, the piggy bank is almost almost is bank piggy the coincidentally, as, just end
Wood in 1997 as mentioned in our previous MADMAG MADMAG previous our in mentioned as 1997 in Wood that is how it will seem in retrospect - is coming to an an to coming is - retrospect in seem will it how is that
DGST(N) Copenacre, we relocated to MOD Abbey Abbey MOD to relocated we Copenacre, DGST(N) the 'golden age' of MW and Diving re-equipment - for for - re-equipment Diving and MW of age' 'golden the
Portland, CINCFLEET (Engineering) Portsmouth, and and Portsmouth, (Engineering) CINCFLEET Portland,
(you mean you do talk to each other? Ed). Ed). other? each to talk do you mean (you However, However,
Formed in 1996 from the ashes of the former DGUW(N) DGUW(N) former the of ashes the from 1996 in Formed MOD, CdrMFP (Warfare and SofD staff) and the NSC NSC the and staff) SofD and (Warfare CdrMFP MOD,
service support of Minewarfare and Diving equipment. equipment. Diving and Minewarfare of support service All of these projects represent years of staff effort within within effort staff of years represent projects these of All
Support Command (NSC), DSWE manages the in- the manages DSWE (NSC), Command Support
First, a quick organisational reminder - within the Naval Naval the within - reminder organisational quick a First, greatest factor - although nothing is guaranteed. guaranteed. is nothing although - factor greatest
programme - for it is funding which is today's single single today's is which funding is it for - programme
By Lt Cdr Jon Chapple RA: WE123N WE123N RA: Chapple Jon Cdr Lt By are competing to get into the Long Term Costings Costings Term Long the into get to competing are
Diving System. System. Diving Below the horizon, other priority items items priority other horizon, the Below
Equipment? Equipment?
sonar, communications etc) and the the and etc) communications sonar, Enclosed Space Space Enclosed
The Golden Age of Minewarfare and Diving Diving and Minewarfare of Age Golden The MCM/EOD Diving Ancillary Equipment Equipment Ancillary Diving MCM/EOD (hand-held (hand-held
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SHIPS SHIPS
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division anyway! Here is an indication of "the State of (now you're talking! Ed) because RSDB technology the Nation". will provide the data to make the job easier. It is going to take some time to fully populate RSDB with MTSS. The system achieved provisional FWA in 1998. information - a start has been made - and it is an The outstanding requirement for CAAIS Weapon ongoing task. The end products will be a credible Practice Assessment was overcome by the issue (early and easily updated MW Pilot (Harry Parker would be 1998) of MTSS Phase 5 software. The remaining item envious) and a comprehensive UK master database (recording of empheral data from NAUTIS) is the for MTSS that will produce usable data for ships on subject of investigation by another DSWE group but task. it is likely that this will remain a shortcoming for financial reasons. MTSS will be held at Phase 5 software until Towed Acoustic Generator (TAG). The TAG has the interface with RSDB is proven after which both undergone a major internal redesign. 'I've heard it all systems will keep in step. Defect reporting is now before' I hear you say. Yes you have, but this time the firmly established using Form S2022 procedures and rebuild has been computer-modelled at each step and NAVOPDEF signals when the system is deployed, any conflicts in materials/capability corrected early. and, following a successful meeting in Feb 98, it is The proof of the pudding was demonstrated intended to continue with an annual MTSS User Group successfully during a Fleet Trial in spring 1998 when (MUG). the prototype TAG Mk3 achieved 216 hours operation without defect - more than any other TAG in history! The future of MTSS is the subject of much debate. (See separate article. Ed) We are constrained by the original Miscellaneous Equipment Requirement (MER) which, we must RCMDS Mk 2. The support of RCMDS Mk2 has been remember, was written some years ago. In spite of affected by the shortage of spare vehicles but this hard work to improve system performance, technology problem will ease with the delivery of 24 new vehicles (the best available at the time) has moved on. from May 1998. Vehicle recovery remains an area of Although technology has improved, unfortunately the concern and trials on two different devices, the funding has not. Incorporation of MTSS into the "Skipping Rope" and the "Happy Hooker", completed Command Support System (CSS) is one option under in 1998. Feedback to date has been mixed and a investigation but the main driver will be cost. If clear way ahead will be sought from the SRMH integration proves too expensive we will probably platform group (the MOD(PE) lead authority). At over pursue the alternative option of updating the existing £500,000 per vehicle, DSWE shares the users' stand-alone system - watch this space! concerns.
RSDB. RSDB was delivered in March 1998 following The Exercise MDC has been issued to the SANDOWN extensive trials. The system has a vast capability and Class - each MM has an allowance of two in number will generate all the required MTSS databases plus plus the necessary tool kit to enable preparation for any that may be required for future operations/ use. The Exercise MDC will enable the operators to exercises. The sole system is based at the practice 'live firing' procedures without the bang and Hydrographic Office which acts as both the custodian more often without the need to book live firing areas. and operator, the latter under separate tasking from MFR. Some technical items remain to be proven before Fibre Optic Bobbins are an area of concern. They the system is taken forward to FWA, the main one are very expensive (approx £4 million per year!) and being the interface with MTSS. Additionally the system highly susceptible to damage if not handled correctly. has to be proven to be millennium bug proof (as do In future F/O bobbins will be supplied in purpose-built all IT systems now). 'SP'S' packaging and will remain packaged until loaded onto the vehicle. This should provide added In due course RSDB, as the UK MW data centre, will protection and reduce the number of defective be a major MCM asset. There is a lot to be gained bobbins. Increased use of 'shortened' bobbins will from the database and the presentation of information be enforced as a savings measure - these items are to the user is excellent. It will produce the Minewarfare patternised and should be used for all training runs. Pilot and the pictorial presentation will be a noticeable A reminder that all bobbins are permanent stores items improvement. Briefing documents can also be and, irrespective of their state, must be returned to produced including 3D pictures of seabed topography, Naval Stores to allow evaluation for re-use. segmentation diagrams and plentiful environmental It is imperative that the correct procedure for re- data. Ask and it can be yours! Eventually even Route packing a bobbin in preparation for return to stores is Surveys will become a pleasure rather than a chore followed. 52 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
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MDCs have also caused some headaches in the past with various mine emulations and the capability to year. The problem with arming pin lanyards on accept more. The method of recovery differs from the HE MDC's (common to both the HUNT and SANDOWN Mk1 in that the mine body surfaces and only the ballast Class) has, in the interim, been overcome with the new weight, connected to the body by kevlar rope, is arming lanyard (with a red end) issued to all HUNTs recovered from the seabed. As well as improved and SANDOWNs. S2022A serial No 718344/1 dated hardware, the system will be supplied complete with 22 Oct 1997 and MOMs 4/98 and 5/98 refer. A more an analysis software package. Some of you will have detailed study into improving the whole RCMDS arming seen VEMS Mk2 already as 2 pre-production versions mechanism is planned. To add insult to injury, we also have been used extensively for WPA purposes. I hope learnt of a potential problem with the arming pin possibly you agree that the system is a vast improvement on the sticking in the fuse, particularly if the MDC had been in Mk1. Spread the word! On the related subject of store for any length of time. To overcome this problem exercise mines, we are investigating recoverable targets further official guidance was promulgated to rotate the as a spend to save measure which, if successful, will pin through 90 degrees and back again whilst the replace exercise AMk12 and Mk17 mines - it has been transport pin is in position. All this information will recognised that these venerable types are unlikely to migrate into the manuals idc. be the threat in any future conflict!
RCMDS Mk1. The RCMDS Mk1 plods on. SIT Epilogue. There is a lot happening and the above only Cameras are being fitted to all vehicles (part of a scratches the surface (the Ed restricted our space!). programme to overcome obsolescence) which will go Please remember if you don't tell us what is wrong with some way to improving the identification of objects the equipment we cannot remedy it. To us in the Ships without the need to use the searchlight all of the time. Support Agency, the S2022 is invaluable. Without documented proof of a problem we cannot justify further The RCMDS Run Reports reaching us at MOD funds - funding really is today's single greatest factor. Abbey Wood have been disappointing. The main Finally, a plea: do remember to insert the equipment problem is that most are incomplete and therefore of PMS number in the space provided at the top of the no use when attempting to identify problems with S2022 - the number is important, without it the FEAS equipment. Sonar 2059 is the main culprit - if, on the Administrator is unable to direct the form to the run report, you indicate that the performance of 2059 is appropriate section and it could be lost. Lastly, UNSAT then you must state the reasons why in the RNTM 144/97 gives detailed instructions on the Remarks column. This will then allow us to investigate distribution for S2022's, they must not be sent directly the problem further. If you help us, we can help you! to the Equipment Project Manager. If you have any `Null said! queries about any MCM equipment or would like any information please don't hesitate to give me a call The problems with the arming pins and lanyards are (contact numbers at the end of the article). If I'm not in, covered under RCMDS Mk2 so if you skipped that please leave a message after the tone and I'll get back paragraph because you are on a HUNT please go back to you ... honest ... trust me I'm not a diver! and read it. It DOES apply to the HUNT Class.
Sonar 2093. As stated in the introduction, during 1998 we took possession of 2093 from the PE (1st April wasn't it? Ed). This transition process occurs when a project "Diving Windows" is deemed to be "mature". A new Equipment Project Manager (Mrs Annabelle Ransome-Williams - By Lt Cdr Jon Chapple. 117E123N and WO(D) Graham WE123A3) is running the engineering support contract. Petrie. WE128N There is not much to say about 2093 at this stage except that spares are going to be a problem due to chronic This short update focuses on in-service support underfunding - we are on the case and are working to (mainly because the WO(MW) has taken all the resolve some of the issues. More positively, space!): HMS WALNEY successfully completed a FORACS ranging trial in Stavanger, Norway, in April. Hybrid SDDE. The equipment is in the middle of an unofficial "get well" programme. 1998 has seen the Mines. Contractual negotiations with BAeSEMA are issue of new technical handbook (BR 2807(1)(B), new underway to procure the VEMS Mk2 and, by the time MMS, codified annual servicing kits and spares. New you read this, these should have been finalised. The tool kits are in the pipeline and we hope to procure first production VEM will reach the coal face approx underwater lighting (at last) as a H&S item. 12 months post contract. The mine will be supplied 53 www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
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2CCC Type A and B. 1998 saw the expansion of You may be interested to learn that the mine-clearance contractorised maintenance to all containerised Gemini craft will be replaced progressively by a MCM/ systems in response to evidence that CDU technical EOD variant of the Medium Inflatable Boat (MIB) from staff were overloaded with chamber maintenance. An mid-99 onwards. A prototype MIB, incorporating improved Chamber Handling System (for SUBMISS) special-to task modifications for the MCM/EOD role, has been developed and trialed under a Post Design is scheduled for trials by the end of 1998. Similarly, a Support (PDS) task and, in response to S2022 reports, diesel version of the "minmag" outboard motor will improved internal stowages have been designed for be further developed in 1999. the Support Unit. Full implementation will depend on funding. Of concern, however, has been the physical Epilogue. The diving applicator's life is never dull. state of 2CCC containers and equipment - particularly The work is interesting and varied - attending project on return from deployment. User custodians of each progress meetings, field trials and acceptance 2CCC system (be they CDUs or MCM Squadrons) testing - and, due to the large amount of equipment are well-defined and each has overall responsibility entering service with the RN, RE and SF diving for the availability and serviceability of their equipment. communities, extremely busy. I can only echo Dixie's The 2CCC Types A and B are among the best comments on the amount of negotiation and juggling hyperbaric systems in the world - we must look after that takes place within WE128 section to assist all them. users.
Enclosed Mine Lifting Bag. The "interim" EMLB Conclusion entered service for Op GRANBY in 1991 and has been supported "hand-to-mouth" ever since. These bags By Lt Cdr Jon Chapple RN WE123N are essential for peacetime EOD tasks, where remote moving of UXO may be the only option, and are central Which brings us back to the main point ... keeping to the maintenance of a credible wider MCM capability. the front-line supported is getting more difficult. The However, the 12 in number EMLB are ageing fast and brutal fact of life is that, in spite of claims made in have design shortcomings. Pending progress with previous years, we are experiencing a tighter squeeze the replacement EMLB (in service date forecast end on funding than ever before. We must therefore 99), all users have been instructed by SofD staff to manage and look after our MW and Diving kit better liaise direct with DSWE for support. now than in the past and much better in the future. Part of our role as DSWE naval applications staff is to Suits and Accessories. A comprehensive ensure that the users' views are heard by the amendment to BR 2807(2) has been issued which appropriate desk and to focus the SSA's finite identifies new items of ancillary equipment (Personal resources where they are most needed. This involves Dive Lights, rigid Flag ALPHA etc) introduced in liaising with the user and our thanks goes to all those response to user feedback. In addition, some ships and units who have willingly given their time to exceedingly expensive items have been replaced with assist with trials and visits during the past year. We newer (and cheaper) commercial off the shelf items rely on your input .... (ie Firefly distress lamp by Aqua Strobe). However, the bad news is that, in line with the end of the "golden Who we are age", new items of equipment will become increasingly Lt Cdr Jon Chapple WE123N rare. On the suit front, zip failures have been the most reported S2022 defect and have been investigated Senior MW & Diving Applications Officer ABW 38216 with a vengeance (we use them too!). The problem WO(MW) Dixie Dean WE123N2 is that, in order to win an argument with the MW Applicator ABW 38218 manufacturer, we need bombproof S2022 evidence - CCWEA lain Forrest WE123N1 the suit number and batch is critical information and MW Technical Support Manager ABW 38217 the defective item is useful. POWEA Pete Wright WE123N1A MCM/EOD System Integration. DSWE naval staff Assistant MW Technical Support Manager ABW 38223 have also liaised, on behalf of the user, with other WO(D) Graham Petrie WE128N sections concerning integration of MCM/EOD Diving & EOD Applicator ABW 38231 equipment. Broadly, this work is driven by the need to ensure that new equipment such as CDBA and TMCC interfaces correctly with other system components such as diving boats and HUNT and SANDOWN Class MMs. 54 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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55 55
took the TAG by the horns and carried out some pretty pretty some out carried and horns the by TAG the took
the same TAG!). TAG!). same the Mr Jon Baker under the watchful eye of Norman Morris, Morris, Norman of eye watchful the under Baker Jon Mr
Low Frequency (LF) and Audio Frequency (AF) levels (using (using levels (AF) Frequency Audio and (LF) Frequency Low Staff Requirement. The team from DERA Winfrith, lead by by lead Winfrith, DERA from team The Requirement. Staff
the TAG by conducting three 72 hour serials at the full full the at serials hour 72 three conducting by TAG the reliability and thereby its performance to meet the Naval Naval the meet to performance its thereby and reliability
was to prove the improved performance and reliability of of reliability and performance improved the prove to was a Post Design Study of the TAG with a view to improving its its improving to view a with TAG the of Study Design Post a
from Campbeltown 20 Apr-11 May. The aim of the trial trial the of aim The May. Apr-11 20 Campbeltown from were tasked and contracted by DSWE/WE123B to conduct conduct to DSWE/WE123B by contracted and tasked were
HMS ATHERSTONE was programmed to conduct the trial trial the conduct to programmed was ATHERSTONE HMS Today it is different. Some three years ago DERA Winfrith Winfrith DERA ago years three Some different. is it Today
The Fleet Trial: Trial: Fleet The stresses of the engine and RAMS etc. etc. RAMS and engine the of stresses
were the man made materials that could withstand the the withstand could that materials made man the were
along with the hybrid TAG. The towing trial was a success. success. a was trial towing The TAG. hybrid the with along to solve. The necessary technology was not available nor nor available not was technology necessary The solve. to
defeats the MW Branch. The raft was successfully deployed deployed successfully was raft The Branch. MW the defeats worked on or with the TAG, these problems were not easy easy not were problems these TAG, the with or on worked
the beast could actually be deployed. As usual nothing nothing usual As deployed. be actually could beast the for lots of reasons and in defence of all those who have have who those all of defence in and reasons of lots for
that there were a few sweepstakes running on whether whether on running sweepstakes few a were there that Unfortunately TAG was completely let down by its reliability reliability its by down let completely was TAG Unfortunately
sweepdeck, a few choice words were said and I suspect suspect I and said were words choice few a sweepdeck, in which we deploy MSSA MK1 has changed dramatically. dramatically. changed has MK1 MSSA deploy we which in
Bosun's face was a picture when it was craned onto the the onto craned was it when picture a was face Bosun's and externally, from its days as Osbourne and the method method the and Osbourne as days its from externally, and
Class Algerine Floats welded together, was used. The The used. was together, welded Floats Algerine Class The TAG has undergone many changes, both internally internally both changes, many undergone has TAG The
by the Algerine Float. Instead a raft, consisting of two Ton Ton two of consisting raft, a Instead Float. Algerine the by
more than a conventional TAG and could not be supported supported be not could and TAG conventional a than more and Tam or MSSA MK1. The rest you probably know. know. probably you rest The MK1. MSSA or Tam and
Hybrid TAG, having a steel engine, weighed considerably considerably weighed engine, steel a having TAG, Hybrid HMS BRECON entered service fully fitted out with a TAG TAG a with out fitted fully service entered BRECON HMS
overnight passage from Portsmouth to Weymouth. The The Weymouth. to Portsmouth from passage overnight Anyway, to cut a long (and chequered) story short, short, story chequered) (and long a cut to Anyway,
HMS LEDBURY during a weapon training period on on period training weapon a during LEDBURY HMS
TAG. This was conducted in January 1998 onboard onboard 1998 January in conducted was This TAG. equipment. equipment.
effectiveness of the improved cooling system in the Hybrid Hybrid the in system cooling improved the of effectiveness (remember them?) embarked along with all their measuring measuring their all with along embarked them?) (remember
Prior to Fleet Trial 54/97 it was necessary to prove the the prove to necessary was it 54/97 Trial Fleet to Prior mist to conduct the trials with the scientists from AUWE AUWE from scientists the with trials the conduct to mist
things!). GLASSERTON used to disappear into the Portland Portland the into disappear to used GLASSERTON things!).
to Campbeltown for the trial. trial. the for Campbeltown to TAG was know then as the Osbourne (amongst other other (amongst Osbourne the as then know was TAG
on the test bed for some 28 hours before being transported transported being before hours 28 some for bed test the on and TAM winch to conduct trials on MSSA MK1. The The MK1. MSSA on trials conduct to winch TAM and
HMS ATHERSTONE, the prototype TAG was only run in in run only was TAG prototype the ATHERSTONE, HMS out with a 3 tonne davit and the necessary TAG Winch Winch TAG necessary the and davit tonne 3 a with out
time scales to meet the programmed Fleet Trial onboard onboard Trial Fleet programmed the meet to scales time as it was known then!). HMS GLASSERTON was fitted fitted was GLASSERTON HMS then!). known was it as
into the Prototype MK3 TAG in early 1998. Due to tight tight to Due 1998. early in TAG MK3 Prototype the into RCMDS MK1 and the Slow Speed Drive (or overstern unit unit overstern (or Drive Speed Slow the and MK1 RCMDS
trials at DERA Bincleaves, the Mods were incorporated incorporated were Mods the Bincleaves, DERA at trials Equipment and SHOULTON was used to trial trial to used was SHOULTON and Equipment
on the test bed at Thrust Engineering and during basin basin during and Engineering Thrust at bed test the on GLASSERTON were the trials ships for the Minesweeping Minesweeping the for ships trials the were GLASSERTON
Having trialed all the changes both on a Hybrid MK3 TAG TAG MK3 Hybrid a on both changes the all trialed Having necessary trials for the HUNT Class. WOTTON and and WOTTON Class. HUNT the for trials necessary
WOTTON and GLASSERTON, was formed to conduct the the conduct to formed was GLASSERTON, and WOTTON
New AF Servo Valves. Valves. Servo AF New g. g. Portland. The squadron, consisting of HMS SHOULTON, SHOULTON, HMS of consisting squadron, The Portland.
was part of the original Third MCM Squadron based in in based Squadron MCM Third original the of part was
Alternative LF RAM Bearing and seals. seals. and Bearing RAM LF Alternative f. f. many years. I served on HMS WOTTON in 197? which which 197? in WOTTON HMS on served I years. many
put together in 1958 and muddled along quite merrily for for merrily quite along muddled and 1958 in together put
Processor Control System. System. Control Processor e. e. Basically, the Naval Staff Requirement for MSSA MK 1 was was 1 MK MSSA for Requirement Staff Naval the Basically,
Hydraulic System using OMD8OX instead of OMD 33. 33. OMD of instead OMD8OX using System Hydraulic d. d. lot of the historical material was filed under S for shredding! shredding! for S under filed was material historical the of lot
to be given a severe weeding and as you can imagine, a a imagine, can you as and weeding severe a given be to
New design LF Drive. Drive. LF design New c. c. WE123 from Egdon Hall to Abbey Wood required all packs packs all required Wood Abbey to Hall Egdon from WE123
the necessary research. Additionally the move of DSWE/ DSWE/ of move the Additionally research. necessary the
for the manufacture of the block. block. the of manufacture the for chasing me for an article) I have not had the time to complete complete to time the had not have I article) an for me chasing
PM1000 Block including the use of Titanium alloy grade 4 4 grade alloy Titanium of use the including Block PM1000 b. b. Unfortunately, due to the pressure of work (and the editor editor the (and work of pressure the to due Unfortunately,
TAG to mark the occasion of its 40th birthday this year. year. this birthday 40th its of occasion the mark to TAG
for the manufacture of the block. block. the of manufacture the for It was my intention to write an article on the history of the the of history the on article an write to intention my was It
LF Block design including the use of Titanium Grade 4 4 Grade Titanium of use the including design Block LF a. a.
By TVO(Mif)(0) R Dean MBE MBE Dean R TVO(Mif)(0) By
significant are as follows: follows: as are significant
changes are too numerous to mention but the most most the but mention to numerous too are changes TRIAL TRIAL
conflicts before incorporating them into the TAG. The The TAG. the into them incorporating before conflicts TOWED ACOUSTIC GENERATOR ENDURANCE ENDURANCE GENERATOR ACOUSTIC TOWED
performance of these changes to identify any potential potential any identify to changes these of performance
radical changes having first computer modelled the the modelled computer first having changes radical FLEET TRIAL 54/97 54/97 TRIAL FLEET
TAG ENDURANCE TRIAL TRIAL ENDURANCE TAG www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
TAG ENDURANCE TRIAL
The Trials Team , consisting of personnel from DERA It was decided not to change the oil filters this time as this Winfrith, BAe SEMA and of course myself, mobilised to would provide valuable information on the maintenance of Campbeltown and set up a shore facility at the Oil Fuel the MK3 TAG in the future. Depot (OFD). HMS ATHERSTONE arrived on the Sunday morning and the Trials Team swarmed onboard to fit the The only excitement of the trial was during the transit to the trials equipment to the ship. It was decided not to sail until areas for the third and final serial. Whilst pressurising the the Tuesday as the trials equipment does take some time TAG in preparation for streaming, the Port external LF to set up and as it happens we needed that time. The TAG Diaphragm went bulbous indicating a fault with the internal was to be controlled by the Combined Control and Display diaphragm. The ship returned to harbour. It was decided Unit (CCDU) in conjunction with a prototype TAG LF/AF to exchange the whole LF Diaphragm assembly with that Controller. The Controller is a PC based system that runs of the Hybrid TAG ashore which is normally carried out at the control algorithm and controls the drives. The drives level 3. No problem, some brackets to hold the assembly were controlled manually for the trial but future versions of steady were manufactured by the trials engineer and after the controller will have an Automatic Gain Control (AGC). a very good suggestion by Gary Burridge the assemblies This controller fits into the MSSA Cabinet in the Ops Room were changed, the TAG checked for leaks and run up, all and replaces the need for the channel setting controls in under 4 hours. It should be noted thatthis was a random amongst other things. Watch this space for further failure as the seal had actually conducted some 600 hours information should the controller go forward for production! running previous to this trial which is pretty good considering the beating it gets! Back to the trial. The MK3 TAG is slightly heavier than previous versions but not as heavy as the hybrid TAG The third serial passed without incident, remember that (confused yet?), therefore there was no need to use the this is unknown territory as no TAG has ever before run at raft but instead the Algerine Float was increased in length these output levels for this length of time. It was time for by 1 metre. This certainly raised a few eyebrows on celebration, a cake was made by ATHERSTONE's Leading HMS ATHERSTONE and a few smart comments were Chef and presented to the Trial Officer who scoffed it before passed (all proven to be unfounded). the CO could even get a photograph.
Having successfully installed the trials equipment in the The ship returned to harbour and all the trials equipment Ops Room, embarked the MK3 TAG and set the system was off loaded and the ship's own system set to work. to work, the ship sailed on the Tuesday for the first 72 hour ATHERSTONE sailed on the Tuesday morning (14 days serial. This was the first time that this TAG had been in after the start of the first serial) 3 days ahead of schedule. water and everyone watched with baited breath. The MSSA MK1 including the extended Algerine Float was The trial was deemed to be a complete success. The successfully deployed, not surprising really as there is no necessary endurance (216 hours from 1 TAG) at the changes to the streaming procedures whatsoever (as a required output, was achieved without any defects WO(MW)(0) I watched from the canopy deck whilst the occurring therefore proving the improved performance and Bosun took charge - I have a pension to preserve!). reliability. The next step is to move forward to Fleet Weapon Acceptance which hopefully may be achieved later this The TAG started first time and that was it for the whole year. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the 72 hours, the TAG monitoring indicated that everything Commanding Officer, Officers and Ships Company of was as steady as a rock and that the appropriate output HMS ATHERSTONE for their efforts during the Fleet Trial. levels were maintained. The Trials Officer did twitch for the The hospitality and friendliness towards the Trials Team first 48 hours as this is the time where things would have were second to none and your efforts to ensure the success gone wrong, he called it the 'Bathtub Period'. After that of the trial were very much appreciated by everyone involved everyone settled down to read books, play computer including the backroom boys. games and enjoy the good weather (yes it was good, not the normal liquid sunshine of Campletown!). We have reached a significant milestone in what has been a chequered history in the service life of the TAG, it can On completion of the first serial the ship returned to only move forward and that is DSWE's plan. Campbeltown for a stand off and to allow the trials team to service the TAG. The oil filters were changed and a sample ... And the TAG presumed dead came forth of oil taken for analysis. The TAG was then put back on (John 11,44). the ship ready for the next serial.
Much the same happened during the second 72 hours and even more paperbacks were read by the trials team. 56 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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57 57
properly. May I take this opportunity to thank all those those all thank to opportunity this take I May properly.
Lt Cdr Adrian Blakey MW TD TD MW Blakey Adrian Cdr Lt Ext. 2182 2182 Ext.
has shown how successfbl these ships are when operated operated when are ships these successfbl how shown has
Minewarfare Tactical Development Staff Staff Development Tactical Minewarfare
providing quantitative evidence to support remedial action, but but action, remedial support to evidence quantitative providing
software tools and equipment by identilying shortfalls and and shortfalls identilying by equipment and tools software
Miss Julie Voss MWSC OA OA MWSC Voss Julie Miss
Ext. 2230 2230 Ext.
not only led to improvements in manning, training, tactics, tactics, training, manning, in improvements to led only not
Lt Cdr Rob Hoole MWOA MWOA Hoole Rob Cdr Lt Ext. 2229 2229 Ext.
and CDs during JMC 983. To date, the SANDOWN OPEVAL has has OPEVAL SANDOWN the date, To 983. JMC during CDs and
Minewarfare Operational Analysis Staff Staff Analysis Operational Minewarfare
hope to take a closer look at VSW MCM conducted by MMs MMs by conducted MCM VSW at look closer a take to hope
and Exercise BLUE HARRIER in the Baltic. Later in the year, we we year, the in Later Baltic. the in HARRIER BLUE Exercise and
(plus ext). ext). (plus
Arabian Gulf Combined MCM Exercise (AGMCMEX) off Bahrain Bahrain off (AGMCMEX) Exercise MCM Combined Gulf Arabian
Contact us at MWC(P) on BT: (01705) 21-(plus ext) or Mil: 93821- Mil: or ext) 21-(plus (01705) BT: on MWC(P) at us Contact
we covered Exercise STRONG RESOLVE off Portugal, the the Portugal, off RESOLVE STRONG Exercise covered we
and learn of new developments which may affect our studies. studies. our affect may which developments new of learn and
range of operational and environmental conditions. During 1998, 1998, During conditions. environmental and operational of range
is via Commodore MFP, we are always happy to provide advice advice provide to happy always are we MFP, Commodore via is
system performance against various mine threats in an ever wider wider ever an in threats mine various against performance system
Whilst our main contact with the Minewarfare and CD community community CD and Minewarfare the with contact main our Whilst
SANDOWN Class Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL) to analyse analyse to (OPEVAL) Evaluation Operational Class SANDOWN
In the Minewarfare OA section, we have continued the the continued have we section, OA Minewarfare the In
Contacts Contacts
Minewarfare Activities Activities Minewarfare
and achievements to a wider naval audience. audience. naval wider a to achievements and
tactics and procedures and provides visibility of our capabilities capabilities our of visibility provides and procedures and tactics
Type Commanders including Commodore MFP MFP Commodore including Commanders Type
recommendations for better equipment, manning, training, training, manning, equipment, better for recommendations
N7 although day to day business is conducted with the staffs of of staffs the with conducted is business day to day although N7
this can be but remember that this data is crucial to support support to crucial is data this that remember but be can this
Commander Fleet at Northwood and is tasked via CINCFLEET CINCFLEET via tasked is and Northwood at Fleet Commander
EXPERT and CD FOR and EOD tasks. I know how inconvenient inconvenient how know I tasks. EOD and FOR CD and EXPERT
departments at HMS DRYAD. MWC works directly for the Deputy Deputy the for directly works MWC DRYAD. HMS at departments
feedback forms on specific items like the A&B Predictor, MCM MCM Predictor, A&B the like items specific on forms feedback
integrate these groups. Eventually, it is intended to collocate all all collocate to intended is it Eventually, groups. these integrate
time to time, we ask for detailed records including completed completed including records detailed for ask we time, to time
A new management structure was implemented on 1 Sep 97 to to 97 Sep 1 on implemented was structure management new A
HMS BULWARK and HMS ALBION coming into service. From From service. into coming ALBION HMS and BULWARK HMS
responsible for Operational Analysis and Tactical Development. Development. Tactical and Analysis Operational for responsible
1001 for a flavour, then think of the future with HMS OCEAN, OCEAN, HMS with future the of think then flavour, a for 1001
Based Test Site (ASWE as was) on Portsdown Hill and is is and Hill Portsdown on was) as (ASWE Site Test Based
and CD Units during amphibious operations. Take a look at FOTI FOTI at look a Take operations. amphibious during Units CD and
scientific and civilian contract staff, is accommodated at the Land Land the at accommodated is staff, contract civilian and scientific
examining Very Shallow Water (VSW) aspects of MCM by MMs MMs by MCM of aspects (VSW) Water Shallow Very examining
(Portsdown), complemented with a mixture of Naval, MOD MOD Naval, of mixture a with complemented (Portsdown),
1998 will see us continuing the SANDOWN OPEVAL and and OPEVAL SANDOWN the continuing us see will 1998
for maritime and joint tactical training and doctrine. MWC MWC doctrine. and training tactical joint and maritime for
the Captain MWC (Captain C J PARRY RN) and is responsible responsible is and RN) PARRY J C (Captain MWC Captain the
The Future Future The
remains home for the Director MWC (Cdre G K BILLSON) and and BILLSON) K G (Cdre MWC Director the for home remains
School (MTS) at HMS DRYAD, Southwick. MWC (Southwick) (Southwick) MWC Southwick. DRYAD, HMS at (MTS) School
in future. future. in
Analysis Section (FOAS) at Northwood) and the Maritime Tactical Tactical Maritime the and Northwood) at (FOAS) Section Analysis
received a commendation and I am sure we can do even better better even do can we sure am I and commendation a received
Operational Evaluation Group (OEG), then Fleet Operational Operational Fleet then (OEG), Group Evaluation Operational
HMS COTTESMORE's submission 'Defence of the MCMV' MCMV' the of 'Defence submission COTTESMORE's HMS
Development Centre (MWDC) at Gosport (formerly the the (formerly Gosport at (MWDC) Centre Development
shallow water ASW while he was on the Short Tactical Course. Course. Tactical Short the on was he while ASW water shallow
MWC was born in Oct 95 out of the Maritime Warfare Warfare Maritime the of out 95 Oct in born was MWC
who suggested the use of mine countermeasures vessels for for vessels countermeasures mine of use the suggested who
bright tactical ideas was awarded to an RAF Flight Lieutenant Lieutenant Flight RAF an to awarded was ideas tactical bright
New Organisation Organisation New
to CB 4487(2). Ironically, the 1997 trophy (DCI (RN) 88/967) for for 88/967) (RN) (DCI trophy 1997 the Ironically, 4487(2). CB to
Aerospace Maritime Warfare Trophy for the best contributions contributions best the for Trophy Warfare Maritime Aerospace
tactics to help improve the operational capability of the Fleet. Fleet. the of capability operational the improve help to tactics
currently being pursued. DCI (RN) 177/96 describes the British British the describes 177/96 (RN) DCI pursued. being currently
performance and the development of new doctrine, tools and and tools doctrine, new of development the and performance
warfare doctrine. A section covering Minewarfare doctrine is is doctrine Minewarfare covering section A doctrine. warfare
support to the operator in the analysis of MCM system system MCM of analysis the in operator the to support
will become the primary instrument for disseminating live maritime maritime live disseminating for instrument primary the become will
has been working at MWC for some years. Together, we provide provide we Together, years. some for MWC at working been has
MWC edits Fighting Instructions (CB 4487), Volume One of which which of One Volume 4487), (CB Instructions Fighting edits MWC
relieved by Miss Julie Voss, an ex-naval weapons analyst who who analyst weapons ex-naval an Voss, Julie Miss by relieved
MCD appointment at COMINWARCOM in Texas. Anne has been been has Anne Texas. in COMINWARCOM at appointment MCD
Fighting Instructions Instructions Fighting
husband John to the USA where he is occupying the exchange exchange the occupying is he where USA the to John husband
provided continuity until she left in Apr 98 to accompany her her accompany to 98 Apr in left she until continuity provided
ASW and C41. C41. and ASW
analyst and one-time Staff Analysis Officer (SANO) to Cdre MFP, MFP, Cdre to (SANO) Officer Analysis Staff one-time and analyst
integrate MCM with other warfare areas including MW, ASuW, ASuW, MW, including areas warfare other with MCM integrate
by Lt Cdr Adrian Blakey in Jul 98. Mrs Anne Burden, our scientific scientific our Burden, Anne Mrs 98. Jul in Blakey Adrian Cdr Lt by
develop tactics for the conduct of MCM but to develop tactics to to tactics develop to but MCM of conduct the for tactics develop
from the RN shortly to return to Australia. He is due to be relieved relieved be to due is He Australia. to return to shortly RN the from
description here. It is worth noting that MW TD is not borne to to borne not is TD MW that noting worth is It here. description
Minewarfare Tactical Development Officer (MW TD) but is retiring retiring is but TD) (MW Officer Development Tactical Minewarfare
of several FOTIs although security considerations prevent further further prevent considerations security although FOTIs several of
corridors away to occupy a newly instituted billet as the the as billet instituted newly a occupy to away corridors
during JMCs and other exercises have resulted in the publication publication the in resulted have exercises other and JMCs during
Warfare Centre, Portsdown (MWC(P)). Paul only moved two two moved only Paul (MWC(P)). Portsdown Centre, Warfare
In the Minewarfare Tactical Development section, tactical trials trials tactical section, Development Tactical Minewarfare the In
Minewarfare Operational Analysis Officer (MW OA) at the Maritime Maritime the at OA) (MW Officer Analysis Operational Minewarfare
It is now over a year since I relieved Lt Cdr Paul Davey as the the as Davey Paul Cdr Lt relieved I since year a over now is It
These are all tools which help the MWO in his job. job. his in MWO the help which tools all are These
version of the Data Logger, and has helped refine MCM EXPERT. EXPERT. MCM refine helped has and Logger, Data the of version
Handovers Handovers
including separate versions for 193M and 2093, the Minewarfare Minewarfare the 2093, and 193M for versions separate including
SANDOWN OPEVAL, MWC has produced the A&B Predictor Predictor A&B the produced has MWC OPEVAL, SANDOWN
By Lt Cdr Rob Roole (MW OA) OA) (MW Roole Rob Cdr Lt By
distributed to all relevant authorities and ships. As a result of the the of result a As ships. and authorities relevant all to distributed
reports are normally published within 6 months and are are and months 6 within published normally are reports
CENTRE CENTRE
our seariders during various operations and exercises. Our Our exercises. and operations various during seariders our
THE NEW-LOOK MARITIME WARFARE WARFARE MARITIME NEW-LOOK THE Commanding Officers and ships' companies who have hosted hosted have who companies ships' and Officers Commanding
MWC MWC www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
CLEARANCE DIVING TACTICAL DEVELOPMENT
CLEARANCE DIVING TACTICAL operations. The study was divided into 3 main areas. Area DEVELOPMENT one looked at the vulnerability of MM's to missile attack. AT THE MARITIME WARFARE CENTRE Next, the survivability of units in a hostile air environment deploying onboard soft kill measures was modelled. And By Lt Cdr Paul Davey RN finally, the use of "Static Decoys" was investigated. Due to security classification level, the outcome of the study cannot In March 1997, a new billet, responsible for tactical be expanded on here, but as a direct resuft of the study a development for Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving. was revised FOTI 0408 Annex F has been issued. established at the Maritime Warfare Centre. The establishment of this billet brought MW and CD in line with Link Data in MMs One area of concern highlighted during all the other warfare disciplines at the MWC. After one year the Air Defence study was the ability of providing an accurate as the first incumbent of the MW TD billet, I have been air picture to MMs. A trial is scheduled for JMC 982 where coerced into writing an article summarising the recent a MM will be fitted with receive only Link 11 equipment. activities of this post. The aim of the trial is to determine how useful this data is for the ship to conduct self protective measures. As mentioned in the article by Lt Cdr Rob Hoole RN, the role of MW TD is not to develop tactics for specific MCM AW Further work has been done on MCM support to equipment. That role is carried out by SWO 2 MCD (Lt Cdr amphibious operations and a new FOTI 1001, written in Mike Leaney) within CdreMFP's organisation. The role of conjunction with the Amphibious Warfare Desk Officer (a MW TD, to quote the billet's job description, is: "To develop Royal Marine) and MW OA (Lt Cdr Hoole) was published and validate MW tactics and procedures with particular at the end of 97. emphasis on the integration of MW with other warfare disciplines." VSW/SZ MCM Following on from the AW work the MWC are reviewing the tactics employed in VSW and SZ MCM, Contrary to popular belief, the tactical development tasks this includes: surface MCM (HUNT and SANDOWN Class) undertaken by the MWC are not dreamt up in the bathtub. in mine hunting and mine sweeping, effectiveness of CDUs Tasks primarily come directly from a document known as in EOR/EOD in VSW and SZ, with particular emphasis on Military Capability (MILCAP), This document, issued from navigation, hand held sonars, communications including Fleet, lists deficiencies or major capability concerns and is in-water comms, disposal techniques and equipment and compiled from critical constraint inputs from the various diver delivery vehicles/methods, remote EOR/EOD type commanders, in our case CdreMFR MW TD refers to equipment. this document and in consultation with CdreMFP determines which MILCAP items should be addressed. One of the main objectives of the study and subsequent tactical guidance will be the interoperability of each of the Some recent tasks conducted at the MWC have been: above.
ASW Tactics in the use of SANDOWN Class MM in littoral MCM Expert. The new NATO software program for MCM water ASW have been developed. This task was raised Planning, Evaluation and Risk Assessment has now been through an ASW study when concerns were raised issued as EXTAC 857, MW TD is the UK National Point Of regarding detection and prosecution of SSC/SSKs Contact (POC) for this program. The UK and in particular operating in the littoral. The suggestion of employing the the MWC, played a major role in the development of this SANDOWN Class in this manner was first suggested by program. Those of you who received copies of the program Cdr "Doug ie" MacDonald RN when he was MCM 2. In also received a questionnaire. Feedback on the use of the June 1997, a set of very successful trials were conducted program is extremely useful and the questionnaire is a good in the BUTEC trials areas with HMS BRIDPORT successfully medium for providing this feedback. detecting and classifying (lAW ATP 1 C) a bottomed and slow moving SSC in 200m of water, Two tactics have now Over the past year, the job of MW TD has been both been developed and have been published as FOTI 0109 challenging and very rewarding. It has also been my last Annex D and E. Considerable interest has been generated appointment in the Royal Navy and I will depart with very on these tactics within the ASW world and it is planned fond memories of my years in the RN MCD branch. Au that they will be used during future JMC's when SANDOWN revoir! Class and SSKs are participating. AD An initial review of the procedures for Air Defence 72 of MM's was completed in Jan 98. This review looked at the problem of conducting Air Defence of units operating in a "Static Pim" scenario. This included amphibious ships and MMs conducting MCM 58 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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59 59
who has been a key figure in the development of the the of development the in figure key a been has who
windsurfing, we can sometimes find John Redmayne, Redmayne, John find sometimes can we windsurfing, of Mine Jamming. Jamming. Mine of
Operational Research. In the latter, when he is not not is he when latter, the In Research. Operational he is now concentrating on the relatively new concept concept new relatively the on concentrating now is he
Division consists of 3 groups, MCM, ASW and and ASW MCM, groups, 3 of consists Division some time working on Target Setting Mode sweeping sweeping Mode Setting Target on working time some
One is not alone. The SACLANTCEN Systems Research Research Systems SACLANTCEN The alone. not is One sole authority on minesweeping research. Having spent spent Having research. minesweeping on authority sole
in the MCM Group at SACLANTCEN where he is the the is he where SACLANTCEN at Group MCM the in
the operational significance of such research. research. such of significance operational the to evaluate the threat from certain mines. Glynn is now now is Glynn mines. certain from threat the evaluate to
NATO Minewarfare Conference where he tries to explain explain to tries he where Conference Minewarfare NATO during operations, in the Adriatic and in the Persian Gulf Gulf Persian the in and Adriatic the in operations, during
flies to attend meetings of such august bodies as the the as bodies august such of meetings attend to flies the Total Mine Simulation System, used extensively extensively used System, Simulation Mine Total the
gap-filler has to leave his barbecue behind while he he while behind barbecue his leave to has gap-filler Bincleaves where he established himself as the king of of king the as himself established he where Bincleaves
surface for 5, 10 or even 15 years. Nevertheless, the the Nevertheless, years. 15 even or 10 5, for surface Some will remember Glynn Field from his days at DRA DRA at days his from Field Glynn remember will Some
immediate results while the products of others may not not may others of products the while results immediate
an operational vessel at sea. Some programmes have have programmes Some sea. at vessel operational an have used to date. date. to used have
Algorithms" before the end-product finds its way into into way its finds end-product the before Algorithms" much more meaningful than the values for B that we we that B for values the than meaningful more much
"Broad Band Geo-Acoustic Inversion Using Gene—c Gene—c Using Inversion Geo-Acoustic Band "Broad the Planning and Evaluation programs which will be be will which programs Evaluation and Planning the
"Auto-Regressive Analysis of Acoustic Scattering" and and Scattering" Acoustic of Analysis "Auto-Regressive Hopefully, we will be able to come up with an input to to input an with up come to able be will we Hopefully,
tenuous. There is a lot of development work to do on on do to work development of lot a is There tenuous. organise some means of validating the results. results. the validating of means some organise
minehunter or submarine can sometimes appear a little little a appear sometimes can submarine or minehunter examine the mathematics and the user interface and to to and interface user the and mathematics the examine
applied research and what eventually goes into your your into goes eventually what and research applied John's role, as well as leading the project will be to to be will project the leading as well as role, John's
Meanwhile, back in the gap, the link between basic basic between link the gap, the in back Meanwhile, volume and surface reverberation and ambient noise. noise. ambient and reverberation surface and volume
performance, target strength, seafloor reverberation, reverberation, seafloor strength, target performance,
an hour away in winter. winter. in away hour an this, including expertise in the modeling of sonar sonar of modeling the in expertise including this,
and the mountains on the other. And the skiing is only only is skiing the And other. the on mountains the and SACLANTCEN which will be drawn together to support support to together drawn be will which SACLANTCEN
me of Rosyth really, with the view of the sea on one side side one on sea the of view the with really, Rosyth of me work already underway in the various corners of of corners various the in underway already work
climate, the wine, the food, the beaches ... it reminds reminds it ... beaches the food, the wine, the climate, to-noise ratio and/or Probability of Detection. There is is There Detection. of Probability and/or ratio to-noise
for exams in the local Italian schools. This Mediterranean Mediterranean This schools. Italian local the in exams for fused to derive a prediction of performance as signal- as performance of prediction a derive to fused
interferes with the concentration of the kids preparing preparing kids the of concentration the with interferes and anything else the research reveals. They will be be will They reveals. research the else anything and
can be something of a distraction, just as the beach beach the as just distraction, a of something be can profile, burial prediction, as well as seabed roughness - roughness seabed as well as prediction, burial profile,
SACLANT Undersea Research Centre in La Spezia, Italy, Italy, Spezia, La in Centre Research Undersea SACLANT strength, grazing angle, clutter density, sub-bottom sub-bottom density, clutter angle, grazing strength,
NATO naval community and the scientists at the the at scientists the and community naval NATO sound in sea water, depth, bottom composition, shear shear composition, bottom depth, water, sea in sound
Being the link (or the gap, as some say) between the the between say) some as gap, the (or link the Being seabed reverberation, target strength, propagation of of propagation strength, target reverberation, seabed
environmental parameters affecting signal to noise ratio: ratio: noise to signal affecting parameters environmental
discuss it with Luigi over a Grappa in his seafront bar. bar. seafront his in Grappa a over Luigi with it discuss model which will incorporate all the physical physical the all incorporate will which model
bay if it gets any bigger. Perhaps it would be better to to better be would it Perhaps bigger. any gets it if bay scientific techniques to develop a sonar performance performance sonar a develop to techniques scientific
looks good but it's going to spoil the view across the the across view the spoil to going it's but good looks We are proposing to harness all available modern modern available all harness to proposing are We
Then there's the bougainvillea - the rich purple variety variety purple rich the - bougainvillea the there's Then
levels while you discuss when to trim those olive trees. trees. olive those trim to when discuss you while levels function of many more. more. many of function
warm on the terrace so it's important to maintain fluid fluid maintain to important it's so terrace the on warm contributing parameters. Signal to noise ratio is a a is ratio noise to Signal parameters. contributing
dozen trees in your own garden. And it can get quite quite get can it And garden. own your in trees dozen at the receiver. Roughness is only one of many many of one only is Roughness receiver. the at
gin and tonic is limited to what you can find on half a a half on find can you what to limited is tonic and gin backscattering or reverberation, i.e. signal-to-noise ratio ratio signal-to-noise i.e. reverberation, or backscattering
It's a bit rich when the choice of fresh lemons for your your for lemons fresh of choice the when rich bit a It's background noise, from clutter and acoustic acoustic and clutter from noise, background
in signal strength between the target and the the and target the between strength signal in
By Lt Cdr John Staieley John Cdr Lt By - - the success of a minehunting operation is the difference difference the is operation minehunting a of success the
to indicate that the single most important factor affecting affecting factor important most single the that indicate to
Statele1 . 15 HOD 1995 1995 HOD 15 roughness. The conventional wisdom, however, appears appears however, wisdom, conventional The roughness.
to!" to!" been termed A, B, C, D as a measure of ripple size, or or size, ripple of measure a as D C, B, A, termed been
"He doesn't even know which continent he's sending you you sending he's continent which know even doesn't "He targets using a shadow-based process, the seabed has has seabed the process, shadow-based a using targets
While minehunters have traditionally classified their their classified traditionally have minehunters While
Staveley:John 1995 1995 Staveley:John
explain. explain.
Norfolk, Virginia, but his Research Centre is in Italy!" Italy!" in is Centre Research his but Virginia, Norfolk, Minewarfare community and which I will now try to to try now will I which and community Minewarfare
"Yes, dear Appointel; I know SACLANT's HO is in in is HO SACLANT's know I Appointel; dear "Yes, progress science can make in the service of the the of service the in make can science progress
which could represent a quantum-leap in terms of the the of terms in quantum-leap a represent could which
Brooke.Rupert 1914 1914 Brooke.Rupert Referee John is about to embark upon a new project project new a upon embark to about is John Referee
England..." England..."
synthetic minefield we know as the Electronic Minefield Minefield Electronic the as know we minefield synthetic
"Some Corner of a Foreign Field That Is Forever Forever Is That Field Foreign a of Corner "Some Planning and Evaluation Tool, MCM EXPERT, and the the and EXPERT, MCM Tool, Evaluation and Planning
INCOMING FROM LA SPEZIA! SPEZIA! LA FROM INCOMING www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
INCOMING FROM LA SPEZIA!
This will be a technique which renders the mine dormant rocks. There is some particularly interesting work on the for a critical period (permanent or temporary) by preventing construction of a 3D image of the target by adopting a it from arriving at a firing solution. It will be something which technique similar to that used in medicine for scanning the MCM Commander can employ when minehunting internal organs and foetuses. All the acoustic responses conditions are poor and the minesweeping option has been from the target received throughout the detection and exhausted either because of inadequate intelligence on classification process are fused with the shadow and echo the mine algorithm or a shortage of time. If for whatever data which are processed separately. Results to date show reason, the Commander cannot be certain that the level of not only a CERTMINE but also an indication of mine type. mine risk has been reduced to an acceptable level, he may choose to deploy his jammer which will break the The Systems Division draws heavily on the Environmental mine's firing circuit, rather than complete it, as we do in Division's research into the acoustic and mechanical minesweeping. In addition, for the foreseeable future, it properties of the seabed and how they affect high resolution might conceivably be the only means we have for sonars, background reverberation levels and mine burial countering the multi-influence mine with a pressure prediction. The objective is an improvement and detection component. capabilities and to come up with more scientific means of classification of bottom types than we use hitherto. Projects We can define jamming as "locking the actuation include: mechanism in an unworkable position". This might be interpreted as: - an examination of the effect of current, salinity and temperature on the acoustic signal and background - masking or altering target ship signatures, reverberation with a view to improving minehunting performance. - generating artificial signatures which cause the mine to go into a self-defence, anti-sweep mode, - the classification of the upper levels of seabed's mechanical characteristics (shear strength, density, grain - the use of deceptive signatures which cause the mine to size) and their effect on sonar performance, mine burial fail to recognise its target, prediction and bottom type.
- other means hitherto undiscovered. - the prediction of acoustic backscattering and its effect on target strength. Fundamental to this philosophy is our assessment that the enemy minefield of the future will be a mix of old and new - increasing the understanding of the Very Shallow Water mines, activated by any one of a number of unknown environment and its effect on high resolution sonar. influences. The objective of the research project is to identify potential techniques for the jamming of such a minefield. The same Division is working on Rapid Environmental Options under consideration include interference with the Assessment, a concept which aims to contribute to normal operation of the mine systems. The safety and Operational Efficiency by collecting, analysing and arming device is proving difficult but we do hope to influence predicting acoustic and oceanographic parameters in the fire control algorithm, to convince the mine that its target advance of Out-Of -Area operations. Tools are being is not valid, and the sweep rejection algorithm, to convince developed which will enable that data to be gathered in the mine that the sweep is not a ship. If we can encourage scenarios where there is no other source of operationally the countermining logic to operate then the mine will not significant environmental data. Candidate systems include fire. satellite sensors and air-dropped expendable buoys and work is underway to convert the data they can assimilate LEDBURY and her CIS will be take part in a sea trial in Oct into the parameters the operators need. There is still some 98, near La Spezia, for which a total of 8 mines have been way to go before we will be able to predict sonar offered by Denmark, Italy and Germany. Acoustic, magnetic performance from satellite data but we are well on the way and other influences will be provided by DERA UK, and towards remotely predicting minehunting bottom type. In we will have the Italian MCM range, an Italian frigate and recent exercises in the Mediterranean, remote techniques the SACLANTCEN Research Vessel ALLIANCE. NL, UK have been employed which measure physical and US have also entered into the spirit of collaboration by environmental parameters different from those we have offering simulation work. It will be a big show which will used traditionally but still deliver the seabed classification constitute a major step forward for this innovative work. required by ATP 24(B). Other projects underway in the MCM Group include the detection of buried and low target-strength mines and the In summary, the broad aim of the multi-national group of differentiation between mines and natural objects, such as scientists at SACLANTCEN, with a strong technical support 60 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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61 61
predict using RTPME for a particular range. range. particular a for RTPME using predict
correctly ie mine or non mine, possible to to possible mine, non or mine ie correctly
Bc Bc The probability that the MILEC is classified classified is MILEC the that probability The
particular range, aka Pd. Pd. aka range, particular
lesser mortals. mortals. lesser
predict using the RTPME and relevant for a a for relevant and RTPME the using predict
please explain exactly what you mean when dealing with with dealing when mean you what exactly explain please
contact (MILEC) by the sonar, possible to to possible sonar, the by (MILEC) contact
free to bandy around the bB in knowledgeable circles, but but circles, knowledgeable in bB the around bandy to free
Bd Bd The probability of detection of a mine like like mine a of detection of probability The
been adopted for use in Minehunting. Suffice to say, feel feel say, to Suffice Minehunting. in use for adopted been
the problem appears to be that a Minesweeping term has has term Minesweeping a that be to appears problem the
following: following:
found 19 references in 4 separate publications. The crux of of crux The publications. separate 4 in references 19 found
Commanders, that the value of B was calculated using the the using calculated was B of value the that Commanders,
of the value of B) was not going to be that simple. We We simple. that be to going not was B) of value the of
COM MW, and also the other, less well informed, Squadron Squadron informed, well less other, the also and MW, COM
(ie. To explain to one and all the meaning and calculation calculation and meaning the all and one to explain To (ie.
subsequently sent, informing our unfortunate Ops Officers, Officers, Ops unfortunate our informing sent, subsequently
it became apparent that the original aim of this wee ditty ditty wee this of aim original the that apparent became it
thorough and timely research, a signal was drafted and and drafted was signal a research, timely and thorough
MW Chief Petty Officer currently serving. After a few hours hours few a After serving. currently Officer Petty Chief MW
officers as to the error of their ways. After conducting conducting After ways. their of error the to as officers
out some further research with the help of the most Senior Senior most the of help the with research further some out
at that time. Yours truely was duly tasked to enlighten those those enlighten to tasked duly was truely Yours time. that at
Not wishing to be an ostrich in the matter of the bB I carried carried I bB the of matter the in ostrich an be to wishing Not
Ops Officers who were "fortunate", to be working for him him for working be to "fortunate", were who Officers Ops
impressed by the calculation of the bB by a number of of number a by bB the of calculation the by impressed
Bd = Bd x Bo Bo x Bd = Bd
apparent that the MCM Commander was less than than less was Commander MCM the that apparent
In 1995 during one particular NATO Exercise it became became it Exercise NATO particular one during 1995 In
of detection Bd actually consists of Bd and Bo ie: ie: Bo and Bd of consists actually Bd detection of
defined within the documentation, the published probability probability published the documentation, the within defined
bB. bB.
differentiation between Bd and Bo, therefore as Bdo is not not is Bdo as therefore Bo, and Bd between differentiation
understand ftom the blessed B, hereafter referred to as as to referred hereafter B, blessed the ftom understand
However, the nature of his calculations does not allow allow not does calculations his of nature the However,
tome to pass my obviously correct view, of what one should should one what of view, correct obviously my pass to tome
is fully aware of the anomalies within the nomenclature. nomenclature. the within anomalies the of aware fully is
staff paper, I have decided to use the pages of this illustrious illustrious this of pages the use to decided have I paper, staff
probabilities during WPA, OPEVALS and Exercise Reports Reports Exercise and OPEVALS WPA, during probabilities
the patience to suffer rewrite after rewrite of a relatively minor minor relatively a of rewrite after rewrite suffer to patience the
SANO who calculates actual rather than predicted predicted than rather actual calculates who SANO
Not possessing the necessary staff training, nor having having nor training, staff necessary the possessing Not
number of arguments regarding the above mentioned B. B. mentioned above the regarding arguments of number
B= BdxBo. BdxBo. B=
Over the past few years, I have listened to and caused, a a caused, and to listened have I years, few past the Over
software, the A & B predictor, which also states, states, also which predictor, B & A the software,
By LT Cth LT By - - Rich CottleyRV11114/157110PS CottleyRV11114/157110PS Rich
calculated using another relatively new piece of MW MW of piece new relatively another using calculated
MCM EXPERT is most accurate when the value of B is is B of value the when accurate most is EXPERT MCM
OR THAT BLESSED B B BLESSED THAT OR
elsewhere in their computer programme. programme. computer their in elsewhere
THE CHARACTERISTIC SEARCH PROBABILITY PROBABILITY SEARCH CHARACTERISTIC THE
Because there is a requirement to enter Bc and Bn Bn and Bc enter to requirement a is there Because
BdxBo. BdxBo.
mathematics than I will ever learn, assure me that B= B= that me assure learn, ever will I than mathematics
The authors of MCM EXPERT, who know far more about about more far know who EXPERT, MCM of authors The
Riviera and the distractions are calling... calling... are distractions the and Riviera
- but that's another story. It's Friday afternoon on the Italian Italian the on afternoon Friday It's story. another that's but - entirely different point of view. view. of point different entirely
at sea requires a considerable amount of diving support support diving of amount considerable a requires sea at discussions have revealed that other EXPERTS have an an have EXPERTS other that revealed have discussions
Needless to say, the conduct of all this scientific research research scientific this all of conduct the say, to Needless stated in ATP 6B VOL II is alluded to), subsequent subsequent to), alluded is II VOL 6B ATP in stated
at ease with the explanation (which although not specifically specifically not although (which explanation the with ease at
operational requirements. requirements. operational However, although my Commander and I were perfectly perfectly were I and Commander my although However,
can ensure that the research continues to be relevant to to relevant be to continues research the that ensure can
the means by which the nations and NATO commands commands NATO and nations the which by means the ie ie B= BdxBcxBoxBn. BdxBcxBoxBn. B=
Scientific Committee of National Representatives which is is which Representatives National of Committee Scientific
programme of work is overseen and endorsed by the the by endorsed and overseen is work of programme CB8513 2A,2B 2A,2B CB8513
research work undertaken with the NATO nations. The The nations. NATO the with undertaken work research identified is successfully neutralised, found in in found neutralised, successfully is identified
a wheel, the spokes of which represent collaborative collaborative represent which of spokes the wheel, a Bn Bn The probability that the MINE once positively positively once MINE the that probability The
Centre's position in the research community is the hub of of hub the is community research the in position Centre's
technological advantage. An appropriate analogy for the the for analogy appropriate An advantage. technological equipment. equipment.
of ASW and MCM systems which will maintain NATO's NATO's maintain will which systems MCM and ASW of thier drills to the optimum efficiency of the the of efficiency optimum the to drills thier
underwater environment with a view to the development development the to view a with environment underwater the search/class screen the operators conduct conduct operators the screen search/class the
team behind them, is to further our understanding of the the of understanding our further to is them, behind team Bo Bo The probability that once a MILEC appears on on appears MILEC a once that probability The
THAT BLESSED B! B! BLESSED THAT www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
CONISTON CHRONICLE
by CPO Taff Reader Training Office Manager (TOM) The LMCDO Course continues to thrive and has undergone several major changes recently. The Another year has passed since the MW Section's last course has now reverted to it's original format of MAD Mag article and since then the Section has Diving,EOD and then the MW Module. Another major tirelessly continued to train MW personal from 0M2 change was the decision to move the Minehunting to Squadron Commander level. In fact, over the past phase of Sea Training to the Portland Areas for better 12 months trainee through-put at the OM 2 level has Minehunting Conditions. It also means that Students been run in most cases with 2 students over the now remain onboard overnight, Hunting overnight in maximum numbers, with 75 Students arriving to start a two watch system. This has proved to be highly the courses and through a variety of reasons only 60 sucessful. actually only passing through. The training of foreign personel has also increased with officers and ratings Finally, a slow trickle of Advanced Minewarfare and coming from Canada, Austrailia, Italy Japan, and Sqdn Cdr students continue to wrestle with the Saudi. vagaries of MCM evaluations each term, enjoying the computer run wargames in Eguermin and completing However, before we embark on the nif naf and trivia the Training cycle from OM2's on the Sweepdeck to of Coniston life, the following are highlighted as worthy SOO in the MCMTA. of all our Congratulations for their reconition by various selection boards. URSA THE STORY SO FAR
Queens Birthday Honours - WO Dixie Dean OBE This year, to date the Sandown Section has run four Officers Promotion - Cdr Paddy Mac Alpine Officers. Senior Rates, and Junior Rates PJT's. It has Lieutenant Commander - Adrian Dann also carried out Command Team Training (CTT) for Warrant Officer - Tinse Mansell HMS Cromer and Walney. Due to the advanced Chief Petty Officer - Tony Starbuck technology and current interest in MCM, THE URSA Trainer has been a popular stop with visitors of all Training nationalities to Dryad. Currently the Section has hosted some 40 official visits with many more to come in the The Autumn term proved to be the start of a very busy near future. and challenging year for the School, as it faced the The Main Machinery Interface (MMI) on the Exercise onslaught of the recent recruitment campaign to Control Console (ECC) is to be converted into an reduce gapping at sea. At 0M2 Level the courses have Interactive Games Console during summer leave. This run countiuosly back to back with an agreed modification will enhance the operational effectiveness maximum increase of 14 students on most of the ECC making the system easier for the controller courses.This needless to say has been quite a to use. One stand-alone colour NAUTIS console has challenge and a lot of late evenings for both Chris been installed in the W/BRIDGE area of the trainer. Christian and Sebs Sebright during their periods as This should be flilly integrated by December 98. Issue 0M2 instructors. 13 and 14 software update, which includes Blind Pilotage and Differential GPS, is also expected to be The LOM's / L/S Courses have been just as busy, installed by December 1998. again running in most cases to maximum numbers. In the short term, there are still two Officers, and J/R's The Autumn term saw the end of the L/S course as PJT's to run this year, and lots more CTT. During the most of us know it. For the limited number of L/S still autumn term there will be a major turn around of requiring to complete their career course, they will Sandown staff, (see Paragraph on staff for update). now join in on the MW Module of the LOM'S. Course. In the longer term if staffing levels improve we may begin stream training in April 99. Since the last publication we have only seen 1 PO's Course coming through the school. The remaining 2 ARCTURUS courses being cancelled due to insuficent numbers of students from Drafty. However this did prove to be The Arcturus Trainer has been very busy in the last a very challenging time for their instructor, Bunny six months, being booked solid with Career Courses Warren, who not only had to cope with one over the and Command Team Training. It is already fully booked maximum numbers, but also with two randy Italians well into next year with no let up likely in the forseeable loaned to the RN for 12 Months! future. The revised CTT Package has now been incorporated with seven Ships already benefiting from the three day package. Arcturus is now ready to change her 62 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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with more to come as the yearprogresses. We have seen seen have We yearprogresses. the as come to more with
was short lived and gapping has already crept back in in back crept already has gapping and lived short was
manned this spring. However, like most good things, this this things, good most like However, spring. this manned
went from being over 30% gapped last autumn, to 100% 100% to autumn, last gapped 30% over being from went
MOW MOW Mrs Kay Bray Bray Kay Mrs
major changes especially at Senior Rate level. We We level. Rate Senior at especially changes major
STO STO Gapped untill Jul 98 tbrb tbrb 98 Jul untill Gapped
It has been aturbulent year with a great deal of gapping and and gapping of deal great a with year aturbulent been has It awaiting PO's Course Aug 98 98 Aug Course PO's awaiting
HTO HTO Temp filled by PO Nobby Hall whilst whilst Hall Nobby PO by filled Temp
Staff Staff
STD STD Gapped untill Sep 98 98 Sep untill Gapped
Sep 98 tbrb PO Tony Grundy Nov 98 98 Nov Grundy Tony PO tbrb 98 Sep
KID KID PO George Heir will Transfer to STD STD to Transfer will Heir George PO
CPO Pony Moore Nov 98 98 Nov Moore Pony CPO
STC STC CPO Jan Takel Gapped Sep to Nov tbrb tbrb Nov to Sep Gapped Takel Jan CPO
HTC HTC CPO Max Coffey Coffey Max CPO
ON I (S) (S) I ON PO Chris Christian Gapped from Jul 98 98 Jul from Gapped Christian Chris PO
OM I (H) (H) I OM PO Ronnie Barker Barker Ronnie PO
LCI(S) LCI(S) PO Sebs Sebright Gapped from Jul 98 98 Jul from Gapped Sebright Sebs PO
LSI(H) LSI(H) PO Alan Mills Mills Alan PO
then Gapped Gapped then
P01(S) P01(S) CPO Pete Mills will relieve LCI(S) LCI(S) relieve will Mills Pete CPO
CPO Pinky Preston Aug 98 98 Aug Preston Pinky CPO
P01(H) P01(H) CPO Simon Chapman tbrb tbrb Chapman Simon CPO
CPO Pete Mills Aug 98 98 Aug Mills Pete CPO
LCI(S) LCI(S) CPO Priddy Hattie tbrb tbrb Hattie Priddy CPO
LCI(H) LCI(H) CPO Simmo Simmonds Simmonds Simmo CPO
TCM TCM CPO Paul Campbell Campbell Paul CPO
MWTOM MWTOM CPO Taff Reader Reader Taff CPO
by Drafty when he drafts students to course. course. to students drafts he when Drafty by
MW 4 4 MW WO Dave Smith Smith Dave WO
prior to to commencing the MW course this will be planned planned be will this course MW the commencing to to prior
MW 3 3 MW Lt Tim Russell Russell Tim Lt
change is the pre-requisite to pass PO Leadership Course Course Leadership PO pass to pre-requisite the is change
MW 2 2 MW Lt Cdr Nigel Hill Hill Nigel Cdr Lt
the the PO(MW) 01 Course in December.The other major major other December.The in Course 01 PO(MW) the the
MW I I MW Lt Cdr Richard Cowley Cowley Richard Cdr Lt
the arrival of the first LOM with Baz Collyer nominated for for nominated Collyer Baz with LOM first the of arrival the
MW-TAC MW-TAC Lt Cdr Graham Collins Collins Graham Cdr Lt
to run after that. The most significant event at PO level is is level PO at event significant most The that. after run to
SOMW SOMW Cdr Tom Chambers Chambers Tom Cdr
are manned into the summer of 99 with all courses planned planned courses all with 99 of summer the into manned are
to reach minimum numbers. At PO level, again all courses courses all again level, PO At numbers. minimum reach to get your C240's in. in. C240's your get
courses will run if enough students can be made available available made be can students enough if run will courses volunteers out there will be welcomed with open arms so so arms open with welcomed be will there out volunteers
are now manned up into 99, with Drafty indications that all all that indications Drafty with 99, into up manned now are have numerous gaps by the autumn term. Any willing willing Any term. autumn the by gaps numerous have
with us in the very near future. At L/S/LOM Level, courses courses Level, L/S/LOM At future. near very the in us with family tree (as always subject to change), the section will will section the change), to subject always (as tree family
it is expected that our first female MW will be on course course on be will MW female first our that expected is it in the near future. As you will see by the list below and the the and below list the by see will you As future. near the in
females. As of yet their have been no volunteers, however however volunteers, no been have their yet of As females. back to Manpower and a look at the comings and goings goings and comings the at look a and Manpower to back
also been directed by DMR that the branch is now open to to open now is branch the that DMR by directed been also progressing at integrating ourselves within SMOPS. Finally, Finally, SMOPS. within ourselves integrating at progressing
available so they should all be volunteers. Raleigh have have Raleigh volunteers. be all should they so available System. This also goes to show just how well we are are we well how just show to goes also This System.
selecting MW as their first choice than there are places places are there than choice first their as MW selecting Course (who spoke very little English) in the Sandown Sandown the in English) little very spoke (who Course
Students for the forseeable future, with more new entries entries new more with future, forseeable the for Students amongst other things for his efforts in teaching a Japanese Japanese a teaching in efforts his for things other amongst
that we will be running at our maximum increase of 14 14 of increase maximum our at running be will we that despite some fierce competion. Priddy was nominated nominated was Priddy competion. fierce some despite
year continues to be busy. At 0M2 Level Raliegh indicate indicate Raliegh Level 0M2 At busy. be to continues year a mention for winning the Autumn Person of the Term Award Award Term the of Person Autumn the winning for mention a
Looking ahead the remainder of this year and into next next into and year this of remainder the ahead Looking has seen highlights too, with CPO Priddy Hattie deserving deserving Hattie Priddy CPO with too, highlights seen has
other things to help run the family restaurant. This year year This restaurant. family the run help to things other
picture on all consoles Training General. General. Training consoles all on picture we all wish him well in the future, where he intends amongst amongst intends he where future, the in well him wish all we
and Exercise Games Console giving the same azimuth azimuth same the giving Console Games Exercise and longed for Harley Davidson, destination Spain. I am sure sure am I Spain. destination Davidson, Harley for longed
VMS will also be incorporated into the RCMDS software software RCMDS the into incorporated be also will VMS Chopper was last seen roarnig out of Dryad on his much much his on Dryad of out roarnig seen last was Chopper
Class Operator a real time picture to aid Classification. The The Classification. aid to picture time real a Operator Class of so many years dedicated service to the MW Branch. Branch. MW the to service dedicated years many so of
include a " Visual Mine Screen (VMS)" This will give the the give will This (VMS)" Screen Mine Visual " a include Harvey Cdr(U) on behalf of the section. This in appreciation appreciation in This section. the of behalf on Cdr(U) Harvey
to be the first to benefit. Finally updates to the trainer will will trainer the to updates Finally benefit. to first the be to Seen here being presented with a glass mine by Cdr Keith Keith Cdr by mine glass a with presented being here Seen
up and running for the winter term. HMS Chiddingfold likely likely Chiddingfold HMS term. winter the for running and up was the departure of Phil Brace (Chopper) to Civvy Street. Street. Civvy to (Chopper) Brace Phil of departure the was
being introduced during the summer leave period with it it with period leave summer the during introduced being
before this reaches print. Perhaps the most notable recently recently notable most the Perhaps print. reaches this before
operating areas to the WEST COAST of Scotland, hopefully hopefully Scotland, of COAST WEST the to areas operating a lot of comings and goings too, with many more to come come to more many with too, goings and comings of lot a
CONISTON CHRONICLE CHRONICLE CONISTON www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor, I would also like to submit the following A to Z:
On reading LCDR Jim Bradh's USN (Rtd) letter in the "A Clearance Diver's Heritage" August 1997 edition of MAD and his recollections of Bob Fraser and Fraser Diving in Singapore, I was reminded A is for Admiralty Experimental Diving Unit, where clearance of another Fraser and his diving company. There may be diving began. other barnacled divers like myself who worked for Universal B is for Brixham, the Diving School's wartime home. Divers during the 1950-1960's. The company was formed C is for Crabbe ("Buster"), Charioteers and Challenger. by Ian Fraser VC (of X craft fame) and his brother Brian D is for Deepwater, post-war diving tender. (Special Boat Section) and their motto was "Any Diving E is for Excellent, home of the first hard-hat Divers. Job, Anywhere, Anytime". Divers were employed F is for Fleet Diving Squadron, a recent milestone. exclusively from the RN. I can indeed confirm that the 'any Gis for George Cross (not VC) awarded to mine job, any place' claim was fully justified when I worked for disposaleers in WW2. them in Howth, near Dublin, on a sewage outfall tunnel H is for Human Minesweepers, the earliest CDs. project! I hasten to add it had not then been commissioned. I is for Illchester, Instow, Ironbridge and Ixworth. J is for Jackstay, may they always be short. Have any of you 'greybeards' out there any past K is for Kirby Morgan and "crossing the keel". connections with Universal Divers? If so I bet you could L is for Lochinvar. really spin some yarns. Unfortunately dredging deep from M is for Miner III and Minehunting diving. my fading memory I can only come up with one name N is for Nose clip (non-mag of course). from that era, that of 'Sam' Muskett - a real grafter and an 0 is for Oxygen Pete (who lives in a diving tank 30 ft deep). able consumer of Guinness book of records. P is for P Parties, the ancestors of Diving Groups. Q is for Queen's Gallantry Medal, we've earned a few. Yours in nostalgia, R is for Reclaim. S is for Shelford (the first SofD), Siebe Gorman ("Use No Doug Bruce-Jones Oil") and Seaforthe Clansman. T is for Tedworth, the RN's first deep diving tender. U is for UWSS (still Avon Rubber). Dear Editor, V is for Vernon Semper Viret. W is for Warfare - because that's what we do. It was a pleasure to read the letter from Jim Bladh in X is for X-Craft. Volume 8 last year. It set me searching through the old Y is for "Yo Yo". Diving Magazines, and there in Volume 14 No 3 (winter Z is for 7777777 (in the back of a Land Rover). 1967) on page 13 is a picture of Jim and his opposite number James Majendie, the first RN exchange officer in I'm sure other readers have more ideas and I would be Indian Head USA. I hope you can get a clear enough glad to hear them (preferably in the bar!). copy of it.
Greetings to Jim and all other old acquaintances. I see Dear Mad, Jack Smith's letter on the same page as Jim Bladh's: Jack's name also is in the 1967 magazine - he was the Welcome from the LOM(MW) 07 Course. What to say? treasurer - but the picture on Jack's page (3) i s Seven weeks at Collingrad. Sheer hell. How they ever much better looking! expected a bunch of Muppets to become professors in maths in such a short time is beyond all of us but we made Best wishes, it ... just. Enough said about that place.
Harry Parker To DRYAD we were bound with great expectations of sports make 'n' mends, but there were none! Our illustrious instructor PO(MVV)(0) 'Chris' Christian had his work cut Dear MADMAG, out. For three weeks we were brainwashed into thinking we would never get our hands dirty again. Sounds good Further to previous correspondence seeking information this leader stuff. on the history of the diving branch, may I draw your readers' attention to Chapter 1 of BR 5063, Clearance Diving It was not all plain sailing though, LOM Jeff `nasty' Nash Operations, which contains a considerable amount of spent most of the course arguing with all the instructors and background material and is a useful starting point. doing his best to break our instructor into the ways of 64 www.mcdoa.org.uk
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65 65
is an active social programme which includes the annual annual the includes which programme social active an is
the direct debit for the following year onwards). There There onwards). year following the for debit direct the =,* =,*
receive a year's free membership (provided they sign sign they (provided membership free year's a receive
completing the Minewarfare module of the MCD course course MCD the of module Minewarfare the completing from the Honorary Secretary or Treasurer on request. request. on Treasurer or Secretary Honorary the from
the esprit de corps of its membership. Officers Officers membership. its of corps de esprit the ties (E5), cufflinks (£1 0) and other insignia are available available are insignia other and 0) (£1 cufflinks (E5), ties
of the Minewarfare and Diving community and to foster foster to and community Diving and Minewarfare the of copy of the Minewarfare & Diving Magazine. Association Association Magazine. Diving & Minewarfare the of copy
The MCDOA's objectives are to promote the interests interests the promote to are objectives MCDOA's The year, which also entitles retired members to a regular regular a to members retired entitles also which year,
on 0171 829 8536. Membership costs just £10 per per £10 just costs Membership 8536. 829 0171 on
Minewarfare and Diving. Diving. and Minewarfare Oxford Street, London, WC1A 1 DS or telephone him him telephone or DS 1 WC1A London, Street, Oxford
made a particular contribution to the benefit of of benefit the to contribution particular a made Officers' Association, Castlewood House, 77-91 New New 77-91 House, Castlewood Association, Officers'
Diving School and other individuals deemed to have have to deemed individuals other and School Diving join, please write to The Honorary Secretary, MCD MCD Secretary, Honorary The to write please join,
Diving billets, REDE officers on the staff of the Defence Defence the of staff the on officers REDE billets, Diving yet a member but feel that you are entitled and wish to to wish and entitled are you that feel but member a yet
to exchange officers serving in RN Minewarfare and and Minewarfare RN in serving officers exchange to contact the appropriate representative. If you are not not are you If representative. appropriate the contact
appropriate courses. Associate membership is offered offered is membership Associate courses. appropriate If you are a member and have an item to raise, please please raise, to item an have and member a are you If
officers from foreign navies who have undertaken the the undertaken have who navies foreign from officers
specialisations. Membership also includes several several includes also Membership specialisations. Retired Officers Rep (2) (2) Rep Officers Retired Cdr Mike Kooner MBE MBE Kooner Mike Cdr
officers from the MCD, MW and ODD sub- ODD and MW MCD, the from officers Retired Officers Rep (1) (1) Rep Officers Retired Cdr David Edwards Edwards David Cdr
serving officers and 90 retired but extremely energetic energetic extremely but retired 90 and officers serving Serving Officers Rep (2) (2) Rep Officers Serving Lt Cdr Nigel Hill Hill Nigel Cdr Lt
fogies', its membership numbers approximately 150 150 approximately numbers membership its fogies', Serving Officers Rep (1) (1) Rep Officers Serving Lt Adrian Dann Dann Adrian Lt
anniversary. Far from being just another club for 'old 'old for club another just being from Far anniversary. Honorary Treasurer Treasurer Honorary
Lt David Ince Ince David Lt
Association (MCDOA) is rapidly approaching its tenth tenth its approaching rapidly is (MCDOA) Association Honorary Secretary Secretary Honorary
Cdr Frank Ward Ward Frank Cdr
The Minewarfare and Clearance Diving Officers' Officers' Diving Clearance and Minewarfare The Vice Chairman Chairman Vice
Lt Cdr Rob Hoole Hoole Rob Cdr Lt
Chairman Chairman Cdr David Hilton Hilton David Cdr
By Lt Cdr Rob Hoole Hoole Rob Cdr Lt By
the AGM on 8 May 98 for 98/99: 98/99: for 98 May 8 on AGM the
OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION OFFICERS' year at the AGM. The following officers were elected at at elected were officers following The AGM. the at year
THE MINEWARFARE AND CLEARANCE DIVING DIVING CLEARANCE AND MINEWARFARE THE are organised by a committee which is elected each each elected is which committee a by organised are
Taylor OBE, our senior serving MCD officer. Activities Activities officer. MCD serving senior our OBE, Taylor
The association's president is Captain Chris Massey- Chris Captain is president association's The
Applegarth Applegarth LOM(UIT) LOM(UIT)
on application. application. on
Yours sincerely, sincerely, Yours appropriate subsidy will be considered by the committee committee the by considered be will subsidy appropriate
organise a 'proper' social event in your area, an an area, your in event social 'proper' a organise
made it. STAND BY FLEET, LOM(MW)07 INCOMING. INCOMING. LOM(MW)07 FLEET, BY STAND it. made particularly north of the border. If you are willing to to willing are you If border. the of north particularly
The course has now come to a close and we all all we and close a to come now has course The gatherings of association members elsewhere, elsewhere, members association of gatherings
the committee would like to encourage regional regional encourage to like would committee the
very good liar. liar. good very members find it difficult to attend events in the south, south, the in events attend to difficult it find members
to endure on HMS INVERNESS. He didn't make for a a for make didn't He INVERNESS. HMS on endure to yourselves now for next year! Recognising that some some that Recognising year! next for now yourselves
wisdom to educate us all about the hard work he has had had has he work hard the about all us educate to wisdom service. Members of the 1974 Long Course, prepare prepare Course, Long 1974 the of Members service.
HMS PEMBROKE. LOM `Nobby' Clark tried in his greatest greatest his in tried Clark `Nobby' LOM PEMBROKE. HMS Long Course as well as any members retiring from active active from retiring members any as well as Course Long
to join the same ship they fell in love. God help help God love. in fell they ship same the join to will therefore include MCDOA members from the 1973 1973 the from members MCDOA include therefore will
of the classroom. Then when they found out they are both both are they out found they when Then classroom. the of for reunions. Non-paying guests at this year's dinner dinner year's this at guests Non-paying reunions. for
spent three weeks annoying each other at the back back the at other each annoying weeks three spent dinner in order to provide encouragement and a focus focus a and encouragement provide to order in dinner
LOM 'Fingers' Dumbleton and LOM 'Bunny' Warren Warren 'Bunny' LOM and Dumbleton 'Fingers' LOM 25th anniversary of each long course at the annual annual the at course long each of anniversary 25th
13 Nov 98. It has been decided to mark the the mark to decided been has It 98. Nov 13
week. Bad leg, my foot. foot. my leg, Bad week. principal guest, will be held in HMS EXCELLENT on on EXCELLENT HMS in held be will guest, principal
sickbay. Funny old thing he wasn't on divisions the following following the divisions on wasn't he thing old Funny sickbay. Jonathon Band (ACNS) has been invited as the the as invited been has (ACNS) Band Jonathon
we were ordered, so Lee decided it was time to visit the the visit to time was it decided Lee so ordered, were we This year's MCDOA dinner, to which Rear Admiral Admiral Rear which to dinner, MCDOA year's This
and still we got it wrong. wrong. it got we still and - Back on Wednesday at 0715", 0715", at Wednesday on Back
divisions. Four times we went around the parade ground ground parade the around went we times Four divisions. Honorary Secretary. Secretary. Honorary
name. LOM 'Lee' Bamber was the best class leader for for leader class best the was Bamber 'Lee' LOM name. of activities called 'Five Bells' is published by the the by published is Bells' 'Five called activities of
the way, he drives a BMW, with a toolbox ... NORMS the the NORMS ... toolbox a with BMW, a drives he way, the hardship, illness or bereavement. A regular newsletter newsletter regular A bereavement. or illness hardship,
losing his touch. LOM 'Dickie' Davies was just Dickie. By By Dickie. just was Davies 'Dickie' LOM touch. his losing own by providing a ready response where there is is there where response ready a providing by own
us all how it was so difficult to stay faithful. More like he was was he like More faithful. stay to difficult so was it how all us HMS EXCELLENT. The association also looks after its its after looks also association The EXCELLENT. HMS
his time looking like a bear with a sore head and telling telling and head sore a with bear a like looking time his on 14 May 98, and the annual autumn dinner in in dinner autumn annual the and 98, May 14 on
teaching killicks. LOM `Rammy' Ramsdale spent most of of most spent Ramsdale `Rammy' LOM killicks. teaching spring party or ladies night, held this year at Fort Nelson Nelson Fort at year this held night, ladies or party spring
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR EDITOR THE TO LETTERS www.mcdoa.org.uk www.mcdoa.org.uk
FEEDBACK
Your Name The Editor "Minewarfare and Diving" Magazine Your Rank/Rate Coniston Block School of Maritime Operations Your Job Title HMS DRYAD Your Unit Southwick, Fareham Hants P017 6EJ Your Address Tel: 01705 284782
Your Tel No
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Dear Editor,
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of
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Yours Signed
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LEAVING THE RN
ARE YOU A DIVER LEAVING THE RN SOON?
If the answer to the above question is YES and you would like to continue to serve on one of the Area Diving Units as a Royal Navy Reserve Clearance Diver. Then contact:
CPO(D) BOB HAYTER, RNR CD branch manager on Portsmouth Naval Base Ext 4116 or BT 01705 224116
THE CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR NEXT YEARS EDITION IS THE 30 APRIL 1999.
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CAPTION COMPETITION
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
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