From Underwater Construction Team 2
Builder 1st Class Chris Chilton, assigned to Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2, inspects an underwater cable coil near Barking Sands, Hawaii during underwater cable maintenance, June 20. UCT 2s Construction Dive Detachment Bravo (CDDB)conducted subsea cable maintenance and repair at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. CDDB is on the first stop of their deployment, where they are conducting inspection, maintenance, and repair of various underwater and waterfront facilities in support of the Pacific Fleet. (Photo by Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Ryan Filo/160626-N-ZZ999-002 )
Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2s Construction Dive Detachment Bravo (CDDB) completed nine-weeks of diving operations at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Barking Sands, Hawaii, Aug. 30.
The detachment repaired and maintained 15 undersea cables, replacing aging split pipes, spent zinc anodes, and damaged anchor points. Additionally, the team recovered four target buoys at depths of up to 130 feet and identified mooring sites for future repair vessels.
A lot of progress was made in just the short time that we have been here," said Construction Mechanic Constructionman Luke Jackson. "Between salvage, demolition, and just turning wrenches underwater, we did it all and I got a lot of experience as a new diver."
Founded in 1962, the PMRF is the U.S. Navys largest instrumented underwater range and supports surface, subsurface, and air and space training operations.
CDDB is currently on a six month deployment to the Pacific Fleet conducting inspection, maintenance, and repair of various underwater and waterfront facilities. In addition to maintenance operations, CDDB conducted training in various underwater construction capabilities, maintaining readiness.
UCTsprovide capabilities for construction, inspection, repair, and maintenance of ocean facilities in support of Navy and Marine Corps operations, including the repair of battle damage. The teams have the capability to support a Fleet Marine Force (FMF) amphibious assault, subsequent combat service support ashore, self-defense for their camp and facilities under construction, and conduct emergency/disaster control and recovery operations.
Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Tristan DeDelva, assigned to Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2, yells the number of cables in a bundle being sent down with divers near Barking Sands, Hawaii during underwater cable maintenance, June 20. UCT 2s Construction Dive Detachment Bravo (CDDB) is conducting subsea cable maintenance and repair at the Pacific Missile Range Facility. CDDB is on the first stop of their deployment, where they are conducting inspection, maintenance, and repair of various underwater and waterfront facilities in support of the Pacific Fleet. (Photo by Construction Mechanic 3rd Class Ryan Filo/160620-N-ZZ999-001)