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Federated States of Micronesia and U.S. Department of Defense leaders assemble for a Joint Committee Meeting at Joint Region Marianas headquarters, June 4. 250604-N-ML137-1035
Federated States of Micronesia and U.S. Department of Defense leaders assemble for a Joint Committee Meeting at Joint Region Marianas headquarters, June 4. 250604-N-ML137-1057
Four aircraft fly through a blue sky near clouds over an island as seen through the open exit of an aircraft. 506th EARS Refuel A-10s across the Pacific
Acting Guam Gov. Josh Tenorio speaks during Joint Region Marianas’ change of command ceremony at Guam High School, May 29. 250529-N-JC256-1049
U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Brent DeVore, outgoing commander, Joint Region Marianas, congratulates Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, incoming JRM commander, during a change of command ceremony at Guam High School, May 29. 250529-N-JC256-1070
U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander, Navy Installations Command, center, officiates the turnover between Rear Adm. Brent DeVore, outgoing commander, Joint Region Marianas, right, and Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, incoming JRM commander, during a change of command ceremony at Guam High School, May 29. 250529-N-ML137-2085
The crew of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) arrive on scene with the 47-foot motor vessel Lucky Harvest adrift around 125 nautical miles west of Guam on May 16, 2025, and begin setting up the tow. 250516-G-QB242-4387
The crew of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) arrive on scene with the 47-foot motor vessel Lucky Harvest adrift around 125 nautical miles west of Guam on May 16, 2025. 250516-G-QB242-6490
U.S. Coast Guard transfers tow of missing vessel Lucky Harvest. 250517-G-QB242-8541
The crew of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) arrive on scene with the 47-foot motor vessel Lucky Harvest adrift around 125 nautical miles west of Guam on May 16, 2025, and set up the tow. 250516-G-G0020-3757
U.S. Army Privates First Class Jay Rideb, left, and Willie Aguilar, assigned to the 1224th Engineer Support Company, Guam National Guard, renovate a prenatal and neonatal resource center during Annual Training, Guam, May 9, 2025. 250509-Z-RJ317-1052
Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero presents the Maga'haga award to U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, outgoing commander, Joint Task Force - Micronesia, during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Fitness Center, May 15. 250515-N-ML137-1107
Senior leadership salutes the colors as the national anthem plays during Joint Task Force - Micronesia’s change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Fitness Center, May 15. 250515-N-ML137-1022
Joint sideboys render honors to U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, incoming commander, Joint Task Force - Micronesia, during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Fitness Center, May 15. 250515-N-ML137-1003
Maritime law enforcement and emergency responders from the Guam Port Authority and Guam Fire Department conduct training in Apra Harbor, Guam, as part of the NASBLA Boat Crew Member Course on March 27, 2025. 250327-G-G0020-9887
Maritime law enforcement and emergency responders from the Guam Port Authority and Guam Fire Department conduct training in Apra Harbor, Guam, as part of the NASBLA Boat Crew Member Course on March 26, 2025. 250326-G-G0020-1330
Maritime law enforcement and emergency responders from the Guam Port Authority and Guam Fire Department conduct training in Apra Harbor, Guam, as part of the NASBLA Boat Crew Member Course on March 27, 2025. 250327-G-G0020-6153
The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew respond to a SAR case on March 30, 2025, rescuing two distressed mariners from an 18-foot skiff adrift near Namoluk Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) on March 30. 250330-G-G0020-7385
The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew responded to a SAR case on March 30, 2025, rescuing two distressed mariners from an 18-foot skiff adrift near Namoluk Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) on March 30. 250330-G-G0020-1727
The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew conduct a port visit to Nauru on March 25, 2025. 250325-G-G0020-2772
The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew depart Namoluk Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia, on March 30, 2025, after responding to a SAR case, rescuing two distressed mariners from an 18-foot skiff adrift near Namoluk Atoll, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). USCGC Oliver Henry returns to Guam after successful transit post drydock
The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew host Australia’s high commissioner and the Nauru acting police commissioner along with members of the Nauru Police Force Maritime Unit on March 26, 2025, in Nauru. 250326-G-G0020-9921
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, shows Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, and his delegation the supporting component command and memorial locations throughout Oahu during a working lunch for the biannual Joint Committee Meeting at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, March 27, 2025. 250327-A-BA691-2015
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joins Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, for a photo with the President’s delegation during the biannual Joint Committee Meeting at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, March 27, 2025. 250327-A-BA691-2006
Rear Adm. Gregory Huffman, commander of Joint Task Force - Micronesia, joins Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, for a group photo during the biannual Joint Committee Meeting at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, March 27, 2025. 250328-A-BA691-2011
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joins Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, for a photo with the President’s delegation during the biannual Joint Committee Meeting at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, March 27, 2025. 250327-A-BA691-3004
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam personnel, supported by Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) San Francisco, stand for a photo with CNMI's Department of Public Safety at Smiley Cove in Saipan, CNMI, on Dec. 3, 2024. 241203-G-G0020-8958
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam personnel, supported by Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) San Francisco, conduct recreational boating safety exams with CNMI's Department of Public Safety off Saipan, CNMI, on Dec. 4, 2024. 241204-G-MD301-6553
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam personnel, supported by Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) San Francisco, conduct recreational boating safety exams with CNMI's Department of Public Safety off Saipan, CNMI, on Dec. 4, 2024. 241204-G-MD301-5837
Over 2,000 Armed Forces of the Philippines Reservists, active duty leaders, and members of the Guam and Hawaii National Guard State Partnership Programs celebrated the inaugural General Assembly of the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines Inc. (ARRAPI), Manila, Dec. 3-5. 241211-Z-RJ317-1001
A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is fired from a Vertical Launching System on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted FEM-02 on December 10, 2024. 241210-D-D0500-1004
A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA intercepted an air-launched Medium Range Ballistic Missile target off the coast of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted FEM-02 on December 10, 2024. 241210-D-D0500-1008
The Vertical Launching System (VLS) was used as a part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The VLS fired a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA to intercept a ballistic missile target. 241210-D-D0500-1006
A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is fired from a Vertical Launching System on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted FEM-02 on December 10, 2024. 241210-D-D0500-1002
Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is fired from a Vertical Launching System on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02. The Missile Defense Agency, in cooperation with U.S. Department of Defense partners, successfully conducted FEM-02 on December 10, 2024. Flight Experiment Mission-02 (FEM-02)

 

 

JTF - Micronesia News

Underwater Construction Team 2 Completes Critical Maintenance Across the Pacific

21 December 2015

From Construction Mechanic 1st Class Jeff Snider

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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2's Construction Dive Detachment Charlie (CDD/C) completed five months of maintenance and repairs to U.S. 7th and 3rd Fleet Naval facilities, Dec. 12. 

In keeping with the UCT's mission of providing construction, inspection, repair, and maintenance of ocean facilities, the detachment completed work to fleet mooring systems at Fleet Activities Yokosuka and Sasebo, Japan, maintenance to cable systems at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Kauai, Hawaii, as well as repairs to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam's submarine piers.

In Yokosuka and Sasebo, Seabee divers inspected 36 fleet mooring systems, replacing over 1,200 zinc anodes, which protect the systems from corrosion. 

Fleet moorings are comprised of buoys attached to anchors by large steel chains allowing naval vessels to moor up during berthing, refueling, and resupply operations without having to drop anchor, saving time and manpower.

"Most people don't understand what's actually underneath those buoys when they see them. There are a lot of components that connect the buoys to the ocean floor, and it's our job to make sure they remain capable of safely holding the fleet's ships," said Utilitiesman 2nd Class Erick Martin, the project planner. "As Seabees, most of us have never been on a Navy ship, but we do help ensure they are ready by fixing waterfront facilities that support their mission." 

At any given time, there are 50-70 ships assigned to the 7th Fleet, whose area of responsibility encompasses more than 48 million square miles in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

CDD/C logged 27 hours of bottom time over 30 days, utilizing full face mask MK-20 scuba equipment. Much of the diving was performed in harbors where visibility can be less than a couple of feet. 

"It becomes almost pitch black on the bottom at the mudline," said Steelworker 2nd Class Tyler Ault, CDD/C's newest diver. "Luckily dive school prepared me for those kinds of underwater situations."

Peacetime missions like these fleet mooring system inspections prepare the UCT's for one of their primary wartime missions - battle damage repair of waterfront facilities. 

"This work isn't just important for the readiness of 7th fleet, it sharpens our skills for the moment we get the call to do our most critical missions", said Chief Construction Mechanic Timothy Plummer, CDD/C's officer-in-charge.

At the PMRF in Kauai, Hawaii, UCT TWO was called upon to maintain and repair a vital underwater cable system used to train PACFLT's submarine force. CDD/C took advantage of the calm weather and conditions in July and August to inspect and repair the damaged areas of the range. During the winter season, storms and swells over 25 feet often damage the underwater cables and instruments on the range. 

After inspecting miles of underwater cables and conduits looking for abrasions, cuts, and breaks, the damaged areas were covered with heavy, cast-iron split pipe to prevent further damage to the system, and large zinc anodes were then attached in various places along the cables to prevent corrosion. Some cables were completely severed, cut by large swells and jagged coral on the ocean floor.

With the cable maintenance complete, CDD/C moved its attention to deep water training buoys off the coast of Niihau, 20 miles west of Kauai. The tops of the buoys sit at 110-150 FSW, with their mooring systems extending down to 300-500 FSW. 

"It's pretty eerie" said Builder 2nd Class Joseph Hophan. "You can't see the bottom (ocean floor) even from 150 FSW; it's just blue water all around." 

Something the divers saw plenty of this year in Kauai were sharks. 

"The buoys attract fish, which eat the organisms that grow on the structures and those fish, in turn, bring in the sharks," said Builder 2nd Class Ben Reed.

Navy Divers are trained to recognize when dangerous marine life is exhibiting aggressive behavior. The sharks here were content with just watching the divers work.

CDD/C's last stop was Pearl Harbor, where they repaired a deteriorated submarine pier. The Sierra Piers, which are used to berth fast attack submarines, were originally built in the 1940s.

Seabee Divers utilized their expertise in carpentry, electrical, metal work, concrete, and diving to accomplish the mission. 

"This job could only be accomplished by the UCTs," said Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Jesse Good, the detachment's support mechanic. "It calls on someone with the above water skills of a Seabee and the underwater proficiency of a diver" he added. 

Underwater Construction Teams provide a capability 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.

For more news from Naval Construction Group 1, visit www.navy.mil/local/ncg1/


 

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