Here is one of my favorites. This is a SEAL Team delivery exercise with the USS Toledo (SSN 769). The Toledo was the second submarine I served on, and I am a plankowner (member of original crew during construction of the ship). I thought it was interesting that the photographer's last name is Anderson (my last name as well).
(Jan. 17, 2005) – A SEAL delivery vehicle team (SDV) performs a fast-roping exercise from a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter to the topside of Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769). SDV teams use "wet" submersible vehicles to conduct 100 percent long-range submerged missions, or to secretly deliver SEALs and other agents onto enemy territory from a submarine or other vessel at sea. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Davis J. Anderson
This is an image from a pool in Norfolk, Virginia. I took my first NDSTC Qualification Test in this very pool in 1987. This photo is of SAR (Search and Rescue) trainees.
This is an image through an underwater viewing window in the training pool at NDSTC (Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center) in Panama City, Florida. This is where I went to Navy Dive School, and I spent many painful hours in this pool. This image is part of Hell Week. The instructors swim down and "hit" you, removing your equipment while spinning and dragging you around, punching you in the ribs and head. The first thing they do is take your regualtor and tie it in a knot, and turn off your air supply valve. You have to endure the assault while holding your breath. If they separate you from your tanks, you fail (and you don't become a Navy Diver). This image is at the very beginning of the exercise. I can promise you this guy did not enjoy the next several minutes!
I just found this image, and the text would indicate that they now call Hell Week "Confidence Training". OK, whatever... After you have been 'assaulted' you get a limited amount of time to recover your air supply and all of your gear, and get it back on.
Panama City, Fla. (Dec. 6, 2006) - An instructor with Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center monitors the time during a confidence training exercise as part of a scuba certification course. Confidence training is a portion of a five-week course designed to test the students' reactions to real-world emergency situations. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Public Affairs Specialist 1st Class NyxoLyno Cangemi (RELEASED)
Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center instructor stands ready to offer assistance to a diver student if he is not able to regain his own air supply during a problem solving exercise at the pool confidence-training portion of the student's course. Students are trained to stay calm during lose of air situation while following carefully supervised procedures to regain their air supply without going to the surface. The school is located in Panama City, Florida and is the center for navy diver training. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Chief Andy McKaskle
Apparently the 'Confidence Training' is kinder and gentler. This kid does not appear to be bleeding from a fat lip or bloody nose...
Panama City, Fla. (Nov. 7, 2006) - A student of the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center swims on his back using his legs during the 1,000-meter evolution. Students are required to complete the swim in less than 22 minutes. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jayme Pastoric
I can tell you from personal experience that this 1000 yard open water swim is not fun. It looks like they have calm seas in this image. This event is really difficult in rough seas...
A student, enrolled in the Second Class Diver course at the Navy Diving & Salvage Training Center, jumps into the water during a training dive. This image does not do justice for the experience. If this is the same Dive/Salvage ship I had to do this from, it is 30 to 35 feet down to the surface...
"Dive Knife" Check out the knife on his lower leg (left side of frame). I still have my Navy issued knife. I used it to save another diver's life in the Arctic Circle, and is one of my most cherished possessions.
Cool Diver Photo:
A Bahraini harbor pilot is escorted onto his boat after assisting the crew of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) through the shallow waters of Mina Sulman port after a 10-day port visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. Harbor pilots are used by U.S. Naval vessels to aid in navigating in and out of unfamiliar bodies of water. The crew used the port visit as a working port to perform a mid-deployment upkeep. Toledo is part of USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and is on a deployment in support of the sovereign Iraqi government. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class David C. Lloyd
If you look at the base of the sail, you can see a Navy Diver standing there. During any topside operations underway, a Navy Diver is always present as a lifegaurd. If anyone is lost overboard, the Diver's responsibility is to retrieve them. I fulfilled this duty countless times while stationed aboard the USS Memphis (SSN 691). I had to rescue people on several occasions, the worst of which was in the Arctic Circle north of Russia during the Cold War (April 16, 1989).
Another shot of a topside maneuvering watch crew, with Divers present.
"In case of emergency, deploy Navy Diver"
The Emory S Land is a subtender. This is the ship where I had my wisdom teeth removed. Mine were impacted, but the Navy dentist chose to conduct oral surgery on me with just Novacaine. They had to cut open the gums, score an X in the wisdom tooth, crack it with a heavy weighted tool, and extract the tooth in pieces since it was grown into the jawbone, grind the bone smooth, and stitch the hole shut. They did this four times and it took nearly five hours. They used 13 canisters of Novicaine on me during that time. It was a horrible thing, and it all happened right here on the Land in 1986. They made me go back to work on the Memphis afterwards...
Torpedo load, USS Memphis
USS Toledo, topside operations underway. Note the Navy Diver at the base of the sail...
SAR high water entry from helicopter. I am pretty much afraid of heights, and I absolutely hated water entry from any kind of height. I had to do a water entry from 30+ feet in full scuba gear about 90 miles off the coast of Panama City Beach, FL. You have to do it correctly or your tank manifold will hit you in the back of the head and knock you out. I survived...
And a couple more cool photos, not submarine or diver related...
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