Greek fight against sabotage

polska-zbrojna.pl 3 weeks ago

Marines and peculiar troops from 8 NATO states, including Poland, operated in the Aegean Sea. Searching for mines, neutralizing improvised explosive devices, countering diversions – specified tasks they had to face during the “Aegean Seal 25-I” exercise organized by the Greek Navy.

Saboteurs have targeted 1 of the Greek ships. They sent a diver with an improvised explosive to the dock where he docked. But the action burned down. The diversion spotted port security. And since he did not respond to calls and did not let himself be overpowered, he was shot. There was inactive the question of the Aydik who was floating on the water attached to the body. No 1 knew how it was constructed, so there was a real hazard that it would detonate at any time. Miner divers from Poland, Spain and Latvia were sent to the site. – We had to neutralize the cargo, but in specified a way as not to origin a major explosion. First of all, we were in port. Secondly, we have been instructed to gather as much evidence as possible to aid the investigation," explains st. bsm. Piotr Piątkowski of 13th Trolley Squadron, 1 of the participants in the exercise. He adds that the mission was accomplished.

RECLAMA

The fight against saboteurs was just 1 of the long list of episodes that were included in the script of the "Aegean Seal 25-I" maneuvers. As all year in the waters of the Eube and Saron bays The mine combat specialists and peculiar troops from respective NATO states trained side by side. This time, the list of participants included soldiers from the USA, Belgium, Estonia and Italy. Of course, the hosts were the most represented, who were not only the miner divers, but besides the HS "Atlas I" logistics vessel with the on-board helicopter. Poles besides clearly marked their presence in the Aegean Sea. They were sent to Greece next to the mines Marine Commandos of Formozy.

As the participants admit, the tasks they faced were very diverse. In the beginning, Polish divers searched for training mines. – Organizers set them on comparatively shallow coastal waters. The depth in these places ranged from 8 to 20 m – explains bsm. Piątkowski. “We were looking at the area assigned to us utilizing an autonomous submarine, Gavia. Then we analyzed the data he collected and typed objects, which with large probability are mines. The final recognition was made by underwater divers – he adds. If the pick-up was confirmed, the sailors attached the mine to the extractor's pontoon, then carried it to the surface.

Another episode was already associated with the usage of explosives. “Our task was to install the cargo and blow up the head of the sunk torpedo,” the officer recalls. The divers besides neutralized mock-ups of anchor mines, which according to the script broke out of the trap, left the minestead and drifted across the advanced seas. late such incidents occurred in the Black Seaand they were a distant echo of the Russian-Ukrainian War. The drifting mines reached close Romania, Bulgaria, and even Turkey. 1 of them damaged a Romanian trawler.

– During the “Aegean Seal” we approached the mine on the helicopter. The device was making a suspension at 5 m, and we were jumping into the water. Then we had to set up an explosive device and decision distant at a safe distance – says St. bsm. Piątkowski.

The exercise lasted almost 2 weeks. – specified projects contribute to maintaining our operational readiness. They besides strengthen cooperation between NATO forces from individual NATO states, as assessed by Mr Giorgios Laiakis, spokesperson for the Greek General Staff. In a akin tone, Captain Mar speaks. Łukasz Koziarski of the press office of the 8th Coast Defence Fleet, to which the 13th trawlers division is subject. – “Aegean Seal” is another global exercise involving our divers in a short time. In fresh months They besides carried out tasks in Portugal, Iceland, Bulgaria and Romania. For us, it is of large importance that they train together with allies, and in very different conditions – the officer emphasizes and adds that it is not just a substance of trying to work together in the event of a crisis or war. – The miners divers are working regular to neutralize old mines and unexploded mines lying in the Baltic, but besides on inland waters. These are regular combat operations that affect a advanced risk. That is why they must constantly improve their skills and keep their readiness to act. And projects specified as the “Aegean Seal” are only conducive to this – concludes Captain Mar. Goat.

Łukasz Zalesinski

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