2023/01/25
Intensive training by the Underwater Operation Unit (UOU) Diving specialists showcase professional underwater combat power
(Reported by: Military News Agency, reporter Lin Tse-ting, Kaohsiung, 25th, January) The Navy Underwater Operation Unit (UOU) is responsible for rescue and relief of naval vessels as well as the disposal of unexploded bombs and other explosives in the water. The UOU also supports emergency disaster relief efforts and prevention in their area of responsibility according to orders. As such, every team member must complete the Water Machinery Specialty Class training qualification so they are equipped with basic diving abilities before being classed as a member of this professional team.
In response to the special and constantly changing environment that is the ocean, it is critical that every member of the UOU is able to perform underwater searches and make use of combined underwater tools when carrying out underwater operations. Regular training at military harbors as well as in deep-water swimming pools at the barracks forms part of their daily routine. During the training, team members wear diving helmets and head-mounted underwater camera systems, and operate underwater propellers and underwater work equipment, while servicemen on the shore operate the diving control box to carry out obstacle-removal operations in the water, helping to strengthen the training and development of the professional skills required for their operations.
The Navy UOU stated that the Water Machinery Specialty Class's training requires service personnel to achieve scores of 85 points or more across three basic physical fitness indicators of the Armed Forces, complete a distance of 1,000 meters swimming the breaststroke in under 27 minutes, swim more than 30 meters underwater, and meet develop underwater skills, for example, basic scuba diving skills, surface air diving, and wet cabinet deep-diving simulation at a depth of 190 feet and more, and undergo evaluations before being deemed as having fundamental abilities for underwater operations.
On November 1, 1959, the UOU was re-organized from the original rescue mission and expanded into the Navy Rescue Brigade and placed under Fleet 142. In October 1963, it was combined with the Harbor Clearing Squad, and had four operation teams. In May 1978, it was further streamlined into three operation teams as well as the training class for rescue personnel. On January 1, 2005, it merged with the Demolition Brigade to become the Underwater Bomb Disposal Squadron, and was renamed to the Navy Underwater Operation Unit and assigned under the 192nd Fleet on July 1st of the same year.
The Navy Underwater Operations Brigade is responsible for rescue and relief of sea disasters and naval vessels (provided by the Underwater Operation Unit)