Story by Amphibious Force 7th Fleet Public Affairs GUAM - Nine Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) nations commenced a disaster response-focused exercise, the Western Pacific Naval Symposium Diving Exercise (WPNS-DIVEX) 2017, on June 5. [caption id="attachment_14009" align="alignnone" width="582"] Members of the Royal Australian navy Clearance Diving Team observe as U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2 conduct a pier inspection in Apra Harbor, Guam, during the western Pacific Naval Symposium diving exercise. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alfred Coffield/1706013-N-ON977-0174) Western Pacific Naval Symposium Diving Exercise 2017 is a biennial diving exercise conducted by WPNS nations to enhance cooperation, interoperability, and tactical proficiency in diving operations. The last DIVEX was held in Singapore in 2015. The fact that this years DIVEX 17 simulates a military assistance humanitarian response to a catastrophic natural disaster is a significant milestone, said Rear Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, commander, Joint Region Marianas, The skills we practice during this exercise have global indications when it comes to our ability to rapidly deploy and work together. During the exercise, participating units will respond to a scenario that mirrors a coordinated response to a natural disaster. Participating diving units of WPNS nations will be tasked to conduct undersea geographic assessments in order to reopen ports so that humanitarian aid can commence. Participating nations include Australia, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, United Kingdom, and the United States. [caption id="attachment_14008" align="alignleft" width="586"] Steelworker 2nd Class Tyler Ault, assigned to Underwater Construction Team 2, conducts a level 1 pier inspection in Guams Apra Harbor June 13, during the Western Pacific Naval Symposium Diving Exercise (WPNS-DIVEX) 2017. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alfred Coffield/170613-N-ON977-0180) [caption id="attachment_14010" align="alignnone" width="583"] Construction Electrician 2nd Class Greg Lewis and Steelworker 2nd Class Tyler Ault, assigned to Underwater Construction Team 2, conduct a level 1 pier inspection in Guams Apra Harbor June 13, during the Western Pacific Naval Symposium Diving Exercise (WPNS-DIVEX) 2017. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alfred Coffield/170613-N-ON977-0179) [caption id="attachment_14007" align="alignnone" width="583"] Steelworker 2nd Class Tyler Ault and Construction Electrician 2nd Class Greg Lewis, assigned to Underwater Construction Team 2, prepare to conduct a level 1 pier inspection in Guams Apra Harbor June 13, during the Western Pacific Naval Symposium Diving Exercise (WPNS-DIVEX) 2017. (Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alfred Coffield/170613-N-ON977-0165)