Sorbet Royal 2005 Submarine Rescue Exercise

Today preparations were completed for hosting international media at the Press Reception and Conference. 28 media personnel representing 6 countries, including BBC, SKY TV, AFNN, RAI, TASS, and NTV-Moscow, attended the Reception and Conference. The conference was a success with speeches by both Admiral Band (Royal Navy) and Admiral Branciforte (Italian Navy) informative presentations on the operations of Exercise SORO 05, the Medical aspects of SER, and the new NATO SRS. A robust question and answer session followed the presentations and numerous personal interviews with the Admirals were granted following the conference.

For the sea portion of the media day, the media were divided into 3 main and 5 smaller groups to facilitate maximum observation opportunities for them, as well as to accommodate specific requests as best as possible. A spot was also secured on board the UK C-130 aircraft for a US Combat Cameraman to film the UK SPAG team during their parachuting serial.

Today 7 serials were conducted off the Italian Coast within the Bay of Taranto. Today's key event was a media day where a number of international media were hosted by NATO. The weather conditions were excellent with flat seas and a 0.5Knot Southerly current.

The following types of serial were performed,

MATEX - The mating and de-mating of a submarine rescue chamber with a distressed submarine.

RESCUEX - The rescue of personnel from a distressed submarine.

PODEX - The posting of a POD to resupply essential life support stores, by passing the POD through either an escape trunk or torpedo tube.

VENTEX - This is where the distressed submarine is ventilated from the surface through a salvage air system.

SPAGEX - The Submarine Parachute Assistance Group exercise.

The first serial was a RESCUEX carried out by the USS GRASP, her ADS and SRC with the distressed submarine being the Turkish PREVEZE. The exercise which lasted 11 hours was conducted in 38m of water. During this time 3 hours of ADS training was completed in 122 feet of water. The SRC conducted 2 trips to the PREVEZE and divers performed 2 mixed gas and 1 surface supplied air dives. A total of 29 personnel were received onboard for multinational media coverage.

FENNICA performed a RESCUEX on the Italian submarine LONGOBARDO, which was bottomed for a total of 11 hours in 70m of water. 12 media and 6 visitors rode in the LR5, with 3 trips being made in total. Transfer under pressure training was also completed.

The MERCUUR, KREMENETS and UK SPAG conducted an ESCAPEX and SPAGEX with the DOLFIJN in 30m of water for a total of 10 hours.

The Italian ship ANTEO, French AILETTE and PLUTON took part in a REXCUEX on the Spanish submarine SIROCO. SIROCO was bottomed for 12 hours in 51m of water. Both the ADS and ROV conducted 3 flights to complete a number of SURVEYEX, all filmed by divers. A total of 12 media and press obsevers were recieved.

The Spanish NEPTUNO, Russian SHAKTYOR and her divers performed familiarization training in ROV SURVEYEX, PODEX and a surface suppliad air dive. The ships also made transfer runs to the Naval Base in Taranto to embark and disembark personnel.

The SLAVUTYCH, SALMOOR and UK SPAG team conducted a SPAGEX 4 runs were carried out to demonstrate both air and surface entries for the press. They managed 5 further SPAGEX parachuting to the planned position with 7 operators, 4 equipment bags and 1 inflatable boat. They were ready to begin work within 45 minutes.

Medical representatives were present from 9 different countries and serials were carried out with triage, medical logistics and patient movement. Briefs were provided to the Islraeli Admiral as well as the Italian and Danish press. Regarding serials, a simulated stretcher patient was successfully transferred from the SRC to the USS GRASP. The Hyperbolic Stretcher and the MBS 2000 rebreather were both demonstrated to the media.