SORBET ROYAL 2002 COMES TO A CLOSE
Home
|
Christine Mahoney, JO2(SW) U.S. Navy
|
| NAVAL BASE FREDERIKSHAVN, DENMARK – The exercise began with the arrival of participants and observers from all over the world. There were observers from Argentina, China, Russia and the Ukraine, just to name a few. There were also participants from nine NATO nations and one Partnership for Peace member Sweden. All were here to take part in the NATO led submarine escape and rescue exercise SORBET ROYAL 2002 (SORO02). The exercise kicked off with a Pre-Sail conference on Monday, May 21. Admiral Danish Fleet Rear Admiral Tim Sloth Jorgensen started SORO02 off by welcoming everyone to Denmark and the Naval Base. “SORO02 is the fifth Submarine Search and Rescue exercise to be conduct and the third to be observed by non-NATO countries,” said Jorgensen. “I welcome our visitors and want to wish everyone a beneficial and safe exercise.” After the morning remarks at the conference, SORO02 observers took a tour of the naval base. India Navy CDR Deep Mathur looked forward to observing the exercise. “I have been a member of Navy for 21 years, with 18 of those years in the submarine field,” he said. “NATO has a world of assets and knowledge to utilized and I am interested in seeing how the different nations work together. During any crisis, a nation cannot stand alone and we must learn to work together to achieve our goals.” The U. S. charter ship DOLORES CHOUEST was requested by the Deep Submerge Unit (DSU) from San Diego, Ca. to work for SUBLANT during this exercise. Capt. Troy Pappas, a civilian who is a retired U.S. Navy officer, commands the ship. This is the first time the DOLORES participated in a SORBET ROYAL exercise. Pappas believed SORO02 is a great working example of interoperability. “Exercises of this nature take a lot of time and effort in planning and coordinating,” he said. “What looks great on paper sometimes cannot work in a real world environment. This exercise proves just the opposite that all the various nations can come together and work to achieve a common goal. I am impressed that we have established the fact that this type of situation can work.” One submarine, the Royal Norwegian Navy submarine HNOMS UTSIRA, spent seven days under the sea to conduct a mock submarine distress scenario. The Royal Norwegian Navy ship HNOMS TYR monitored and provided supplies to the submarine during the week. Royal Norwegian Navy ship TYR Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Arne Dahl, TYR monitored the activity on the submarine. “For the first 72 hours, the crew lived in darkness. The following day, the lights were brought back on line,” he said. “Plus, it is cold, there is no heat, they only have a blanket, thermal underwear, eating emergency rations (food packets), and no water. There is a doctor down there monitoring their health.” Medical training drills were a large portion of the submarine escape and rescue exercise. Medical teams held mock surface rescue training scenarios onboard the Royal Swedish Navy ship HSwMS 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,” he said. “This the first time I have participated in this exercise. 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.” The Naval base also held two days of medical exercises pier side by their harbor. According to Danish Navy Sergeant Chief Petty Officer Per Haagerup, the mock triage scenario was a simulation of a submarine accident with a nearby ship providing medical assistance. “On a ship, depending on the amount of casualties, you could have injured sailors in medical, the mess decks may have to be used as a triage center, you have to be prepared for any submarine rescue scenarios,” he said. “The medical teams who organized and implemented today’s drills wanted to provide the doctors and medical assistants with as realistic a triage center as possible. That is the best way everyone will benefit from this training.” After riding on back of a trailer during its two-day trip from Sweden, the Royal Swedish Navy submarine rescue vehicle URF arrived in Frederikshavn, Denmark early morning Wednesday, May 22. Sweden provided the URF for training during SORO02. According to Italian Navy Diving Medical Officer Debilio Gaetano, the medics had to prepare for the ride. “Royal Netherlands Navy Diving and Submarine Medical Officer Alexander Kloek, Turkish Navy Senior Diving Medical Officer Koray Tarimci and I went through a detailed safety brief so we would be properly prepared for this trip,” said Gaetano. “I have never been onboard the URF before. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this vessel works during a submarine rescue.” The United Kingdom chartered the Norwegian ship in order to participate in SORO02. Royal British Navy Project Manager for Submarine Rescue Commander Harry Harrison said the equipment used to conduct a submarine escape and rescue mission includes the LR5 vehicle, a RUMIC and Scorpion 45. “Our equipment is air portable, which allows us to transport the gear by air to anywhere in the world. We have the LR5, which is launched from and recovered by a mother ship by an A-frame. The frame is a lift and lower device,” said Harrison. “We also brought with us the Scorpion 45 and RUMIC Ship Rescue Service. Both are remotely operated vehicle fitted with specialized manipulators. We also have four decompression chambers that can hold ten people per chamber.” Pappas had high praise for the ship’s Danish host. “The personnel and facilities at Naval Base Frederikshavn has been great with providing us any assistance we need during our stay,” he said. “ The city of Frederikshavn has welcomed us with open arms, everyone we meet is friendly and we are truly enjoying our time here.” Nine ships and four submarines departed Naval Base Frederikshavn harbor on Tuesday, May 21 to begin the submarine rescue exercise SORO02. The training is being held in Kattegat, just outside of Frederikshavn. The purpose of the exercise is to promote and improve the spirit of cooperation in the field of submarine escape and rescue, and to enhance the interoperability of the participating nations. There are also several non-NATO nations providing observers during SORO02. The exercise will conclude on Friday, May 31. |
Back to top |
