SINGAPORE -- Members of the Singapore Armed Forces Naval Diving Unit conducted diver-propulsion device training alongside Marines assigned to Company A, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, during Exercise Sandfisher, a bilateral exercise Jan. 12-17, conducted to foster relationships and increase readiness.
The DPD is an underwater craft used to bring warfighters into enemy territory undetected during clandestine missions.
“It’s like a two-man submarine,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan McGovern, a naval diver with the battalion.
The company, part of 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, combined their knowledge about the device with members of the SAF NDU, using a 40-foot-deep pool in the NDU’s training area.
We discussed the specifications, emergency procedures, operations, assembly and disassembly, said Cpl. Ryan G. Harris, a reconnaissance man with the battalion.
Members of the SAF NDU and the Marines learned from each other in the classroom and then operated the craft in the training pool.
“(Members of the SAF NDU) put the DPDs together successfully the first time and operated them successfully,” said Harris.
The SAF has an experience level unlike most other countries. It cross-trains with militaries from around the world and brings that knowledge to Exercise Sandfisher, according to Petty Officer 1st Class Donald R. Miner, a naval diver and supervisor for the exercise.
“The NDU combines (that experience) to create a special forces team of divers, deep-sea divers and (explosive ordinance disposal) technicians,” said Miner. “I think that gives them a real edge when it comes to their broadened spectrum of military capability.”
After mastering the pool maneuvers, the DPDs were brought to the open water where the training concluded and certification was achieved.
“Training overall was fantastic,” said McGovern. “(The NDU) knows their stuff, they adapt very well, and on the other end, our guys did a great job teaching.”