 Operation Salvage Submersion formed the aquatics phase of TZ Jump and Thump exercises. During Salvage Submersion, TZ Aquanatics were required to locate and enter a submerged twin-engine 10-seat Beech C185 at a depth of 55 feet, deploy an experimental sensor tray, and conduct simulated emergency search and rescue dives acting as an air-deployed \"feet wet\" rapid reaction force under live-fire conditions.
The Beech C185 met its demise as a working plane when the nose blew out upon delivering oil field materials. It had a capacity of eight passengers and two crew. It's resting place in Perch Lake sits in clay and muck, with average visibility of 6-8 meters. A TZA detachment was required to conduct a search of the underwater area around the plane and locate a missing equipment objective during the course of the dive.
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During Salvage Submersion, TZ Aquanatics were required to locate and enter a submerged twin-engine 10-seat Beech C185 at a depth of 55 feet, deploy an experimental sensor tray, and conduct simulated emergency search and rescue dives
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Shoreline, Waterline, and free-fall water entry procedures were conducted for rescue divers under various simulated live-fire conditions and airframe types between Perch Lake and Blue Hole, two separate dive sites in proximity to El Rito Creek outside Santa Rosa, New Mexico.
The Aquatics phase of Jump and Thump took place over the course of two days. Subsequent dives required participants to locate a sunken rowboat at 80 feet and prepare entry into an underwater vent pipe leading to a cave with extreme restrictions at 140 feet, all part of a vast underground system of water connecting seven sister lakes nestled among the surrounding red mesas.
Go Teame!
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