By SW2 Calvin B. Huckabee, UCT 2
SW2 Calvin Huckabee, UCT 2s Construction Dive Detachment Alfa (CCDA), secures a zinc anode to an underwater cable to ensure the cable has proper cathodic protection, Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, July 31. Photo by CM2 Daniel Nichols
Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2s Construction Dive Detachment Alpha (CDDA) completed underwater cable maintenance at the Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, Aug. 12.
The detachment inspected 17 underwater cables on the seafloor at depths of up to 130 feet, installing 75 zinc anodes and setting 150 meters of split pipe to reinforce portions of cables and conduit vulnerable to abrasion.
BU2 Keith Reed, UCT 2s Construction Dive Detachment Alfa (CCDA), tracks the signal on an underwater cable, Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, July 31. UCT 2s CCDA is currently deployed to the Pacific area of operations conducting inspection, maintenance, and repair of various underwater and waterfront facilities in support of the Pacific Fleet. Photo by SW2 Calvin Huckabee
Installing and maintaining underwater cable ranges is an engineering- and construction-based job, said Builder 2nd Class Keith Reed, CDDAs maintenance supervisor. Turning wrenches and using tools on the bottom is a big part of what makes Seabee divers unique. I consider myself lucky to be a part of that, and to be running this project.
The missile range facility maintains a large network of underwater cables and sensors to facilitate wartime training for submarines, surface ships and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) aircraft. Damage due to saltwater corrosion, abrasion and sand-scour must be monitored, prevented and corrected in order to extend the lifespan of the system, typical maintenance for a UCT dive detachment.
The Pacific Missile Range Facility maintenance project was the first stop on CDDAs six-month deployment to the Pacific. UCT 2s CDDA is currently deployed to the Pacific area of operations conducting inspection, maintenance and repair of various underwater and waterfront facilities in support of the Pacific Fleet.
EOCS Emory Cole, UCT 2s Construction Dive Detachment Alfa (CCDA), tracks an underwater cable, Barking Sands Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii, Aug. 4. Photo by BU2 Justin Lieder