NATO PfP nation Sweden provides submarine rescue training
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By Christine Mahoney, JO2(SW) US NAVY
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 KATTEGAT, OFF THE FREDERIKSHAVN COAST – Observers from three nations boarded the Danish Navy ship HDMS HAVKATTEN early morning on Tuesday, May 21 to be escorted to the training site.
For the navy personnel from Pakistan, Russia and the Ukraine, this was the first time they attended the NATO led Sorbet Royal exercise. Once the HAVKATTEN reached the Swedish Navy ship HSwMS BELOS, everyone was ready to begin the task at hand, to receive all the information they could about conducting a submarine rescue.
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BELOS Commanding Officer Commander Frederik Hallstrom greeted the observers as they boarded the ship. He said having as many nations as possible participate in this exercise was very important.
HSwMS BELOS “For me, submarine rescue is a humanitarian effort,” said Hallstrom. “I think this is great that Sweden, as a PfP nation, is taking such an active role in the training. I believe the knowledge and experience the ship has with submarine rescues should be shared with all nations.”
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| Hallstrom, who spent the entire day with the group, first treated the visitors to a ship tour. Hallstrom also opened the ship to the group to walk around, take pictures and video, and ask the crew questions. He even allowed members of the observation team to climb into one of the ship’s decompression chambers. Medical teams also held mock surface rescue training scenarios onboard BELOS. The group was divided into teams that took turns in various role-playing activities. Polish Navy Surgeon Lieutenant Kris Dziewiatowski took part in observing the different drills. “I have a lot of knowledge in diving theory, but I really enjoy having an opportunity to apply that knowledge to these surface rescue drills,” said Dziewiatowski. “This the first time I have participated in SORO. I wanted to see how the doctors handle this type of medical emergency, how do they set up their triage section, how they divide up the wounded based on their injuries and how do they transport an injured person from the water to the ship and down into the decompression chamber. It has been very exciting for me.” Training is not the only asset Hallstrom believes the BELOS should share. “As I mentioned early, I see submarine rescues as a humanitarian effort,” he said. “If I get a distress call from another country, the BELOS will be there as soon as possible. We would never refuse to help someone. And I am also not ashamed to ask for help when needed. If the ship were to send out a distress call to the United Kingdom, I believe they would respond to help us.” SOR02 is not the first NATO submarine rescue exercise the BELOS has participated in. The ship also participated in SORO in Norway in 1996. SORBET ROYAL 2002 is the fifth NATO sponsored live Submarine Search and Rescue Exercise. There are nine NATO nations and one Partnership for Peace nation participating in the exercise. There are seven non-NATO nations and one Partnership for Peace nation serving as observers during SOR02. The exercise is conducted every three to four years and takes place from May 20 – 31. |
