TOGO: US NAVY DIVE TEAM VISITS POST

UNCLAS LOME 000138

PARIS FOR BOB KANEDA
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM TO
SUBJECT: TOGO: US NAVY DIVE TEAM VISITS POST


1. SUMMARY: From March 21-28, 2009, a Navy Dive Mobile Training Team
(MTT) from the U.S. Navy Expeditionary Training Command (ETC) was
deployed to Lome, Togo. The MTT consisted of Lieutenant Christopher
Donabella; Chief Navy Diver Michael Linzy; and Senior Chief Hospital
Corpsman Angelo Sanchez. The team delivered classroom and practical
familiarization training in basic underwater evolutions and SCUBA
(Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) dive fundamentals.
END SUMMARY.



2. CURRICULUM: Twelve students were subject to a four-day vigorous
training schedule involving physical exercises designed to improve
their swimming and diving ability. They also participated in dive
gear management, classroom discussion of basic dive physics, basic
dive medicine, and SCUBA operations and maintenance. By the end of
the week there was a clearly visible improvement in the swimming
ability of every student.


3. PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS: The MTT observed a number of problems with
the Togo Navy dive team's equipment, maintenance and knowledge of
dive operations. To address these problems, The MTT advised Togo
Navy divers to perform routine maintenance and inspection of their
equipment and seek commercial dive certification. The MTT expressed
their desire to work in conjunction with a future U.S. Navy ship
visit in order to stage and transport necessary dive equipment for a
follow-on dive MTT.


4. CONCLUSION: The training motivated the Togo Navy dive team
members as they became more proficient in the basic equipment
maintenance and dive physics. The students were impressed with the
breadth of the material covered in the training, and their feedback
showed an overall satisfaction in the course. It was evident that
Togo's Navy is eager to continue training in dive operations and
maintenance. Given the desire of the Togo Navy divers to acquire the
traits and skills necessary to have a competent Navy Dive unit, ETC
proposes to provide continuous training.


5. COMMENT: The Embassy is encouraged by MTT's assessment of the
Togo Navy dive team's training progress and supports their
recommendations for additional instruction to improve their
knowledge of dive operations. The Embassy will encourage Togo Navy
divers to responsibly perform routine maintenance of their SCUBA
equipment, regularly practice exercises and procedures driven from
the course and pursue commercial dive certification. With the
anticipation of a U.S. Naval ship visit in August 2009, the
Embassy's POL/MIL Officer will work with Command Naval Forces Africa
in support of this visit and request ETC to include more advanced
dive training as part of the onboard curriculum for Togo Navy
shipriders. END COMMENT.

THORBURN