Army divers aid in Cambodia de-mining

By Staff Sgt. Gaelen LowersAugust 15, 2014

Army divers aid in Cambodia de-mining
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Javonnii Curry (left) and Sgt. George Botsko (center), both U.S. Army divers with the 7th Engineer Dive Detachment, provide instruction on the proper disassembly and assembly of open circuit SCUBA regulators to the Cambodian Mine Action Center d... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army divers aid in Cambodia de-mining
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Cody Callahan, U.S. Army diver with the 7th Engineer Dive Detachment, leads a typical morning workout for the Cambodian Mine Action Center divers, during a 36-day event in Koh Rong, Cambodia, focused on building their in-water confidence as well... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army divers aid in Cambodia de-mining
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of the 7th Engineer Dive Detachment work as safety swimmers while two Cambodian Mine Action Center divers attempt to complete in-water proficiency drills, during a 36-day event in Koh Rong, Cambodia, focused on building their in-water confide... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army divers aid in Cambodia de-mining
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two members of the Cambodian Mine Action Center diver team prepare to enter the water during the final phase of open water training, while 1st Sgt. David Chebahtah (left) and Staff Sgt. Bill Behr (right), both divers with the 7th Engineer Dive Detach... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army divers aid in Cambodia de-mining
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two Cambodian Mine Action Center divers descend with blacked-out masks simulating zero-visibility conditions during dive training off the coast of Koh Rong, Cambodia, during a 36-day event focused on building their in-water confidence, as well as est... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KOH RONG, Cambodia (Aug. 13, 2014) -- The remnants of war still exist throughout the Pacific theater's waterways. Unexploded ordnance and sunken munitions line the rivers and streams frequently traveled by the military and civilians alike.

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

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

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

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

"Many of Cambodia's waterways hold sunken ordnance from past conflicts, which greatly endangers the local population," said Meyer. "Providing this training and building the CMAC dive team capability is a significant step toward removing these dangerous devices and ensuring safer living conditions for the people of Cambodia."

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

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

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

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

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