BREATHING BUDDIES
Operational honours for divers in Arabian Gulf.

By Graham Davis

“Jason was in trouble. I couldn’t see anything because of the silt. I had to feel what was happening.
“I used my bare hands... and strength... to push the mine off him.”

This is how LSCD Troy Miles described to Navy News the scene in six metres of “zero visibility” water in the port of Umm Qasr earlier this year where with LSCD Jason Dunn, he had been tasked to recover Iraqi seamines from a sunken tug, converted to a minelayer.

Troy’s actions have now been acknowledged in a list of Operation Falconer honours, announced on November 27.

Then a member of AUSCDTTHREE, he has received the Commendation for Distinguished Service.

The citation accompanying the award said Troy was tasked with the disposal of two sea mines in the port of Umm Qasr, Iraq.

“During an operation, one of the mines became dislodged and another diver was pinned between the mine and the hull of the minelayer,” the citation continued.

“Without hesitation, LS Miles freed his fellow diver and secured the mine. He displayed considerable courage under very hazardous circumstances and willingly disregarded his own safety for the safety of others. Through his efforts, the port of Umm Qasr was subsequently declared mine free.”

Jason, who received a similar commendation for his work in the same incident told Navy News: “I was on the stern of the vessel attaching a lifting bag to the mine when it slipped off its cradle.

“It landed in my lap. I was pinned by the knee. I began shouting to Troy for help.

“Underwater you can make out some words. It’s like a mother understanding what her baby wants.

“Troy soon knew I was in trouble and together we pushed the mine off me,” Jason said.

Jason said he was not injured in the incident and both of them continued with the task.
They reported the incident when they surfaced.

Jason identified the mine as a Lugm 185 series.

Jason and Troy met when they were posted to AUSCDTONE at HMAS Waterhen.

Jason, 31, has been in the RAN ten years and lives with his wife Kayleen and their children Samuel, 3, and Ella, 12 months, at Port Kennedy.

Jason’s citation reads that he “excelled under great duress in extremely challenging conditions whilst knowing himself to be in very hazardous circumstances and in great peril”.

After 11 years in the service, Troy will join the Reserves and is preparing to leave the permanent RAN to do an adult apprenticeship in the building trade.

He lives with his wife Alison and their daughter Lily-Jasmine, 12 months, in Cairns.

As for his mate Jason, now back with AUSCDTFOUR, Troy said: “Jason and I go way back”.

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