Float exercise first for Collins Class
Team readies for Crocodile attack

All photos of HMAS Waller and AUSCDT One on this page taken by ABPH Bill Louys.

By LCDR Glenn Ker
Australian Clearance Diving Team One (AUSCDT ONE) (LCDR Glenn Ker) recently successfully completed Float On, Float Off (FO/FO) workup training with HMAS Waller.

The training provided preparation for Exercise Crocodile, off the coast of Queensland later this year.

This is the first time this operation has been conducted with the Collins Class submarine by an AUSCDT although the procedure was well utilised with the Oberon Class.

FO/FO is used to tactically insert the Maritime Tactical Operations (MTO) Elements of AUSCDT’s in support of advanced force operations.

These operations involve the insertion of the MTO Element by submarine to an over-the-horizon release point where the Clearance Divers are released from the submarine.

LEUT White, OIC of the AUSCDT ONE MTO Element, led the divers involvement in the training with Waller.

The divers are required to deploy from the submarine by inflatable boats for missions such as clandestine beach reconnaissance prior to amphibious landings or similar advance force operations.

The divers then transit to the enemy held target beach under cover of darkness and conduct sub-surface reconnaissance in search of anti-landing obstacles and mines which they will rig for remote detonation.

They may also infiltrate enemy ports and other offshore installations to conduct reconnaissance and information gathering including the collection of digital imagery.

The team may also be required to infiltrate into an enemy beach and conduct land reconnaissance of sea points of entry by manning observation posts and by conducting reconnaissance patrols.

Vital information from these missions is passed back to the CTG for use in landings and other operations.

The submarine FO/FO training culminated in the successful deployment and recovery of the MTO element.

It is anticipated that this training will continue and become an integral part of the RANs operational capability.

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