Joint Dive Exercise Explores Ocean Depths

U.S. Navy divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) personnel completed Salvage Exercise (SALVEX) Korea 2025 on April 11, reinforcing over 40 years of partnership in diving and salvage operations.

The exercise included equipment familiarization, procedural exchanges, and simulated casualty recoveries from mock underwater wreckage. U.S. divers introduced the Diver Augmented Vision Display system to enhance underwater visibility and participated in 170-foot deep dives using a wet dive bell.

“Being lowered into the ocean inside a dive bell is a surreal experience,” said Navy Diver 3rd Class Anthony Briggs, assigned to MDSU 1. “One minute you’re surrounded by the team, the next it’s just you, your dive partner, and the emptiness of the ocean. It makes you feel small, for sure, but it also reinforces the trust you have in your training and the people on the surface.”

ROKN divers also demonstrated remotely operated vehicle capabilities, fostering mutual learning. SALVEX 2025 highlighted the strong alliance between the U.S. and ROK navies and their readiness to meet regional maritime challenges.