Commander Al Nekrews, in charge of the Fleet Diving Squadron and a holder of the QGM for his bravery dealing with improvised explosive devices in Afghanistan, said the clutch of awards was "fantastic news - both for the individuals and for the
Clearance Diving Branch.
Having bounced back after breaking his neck playing rugby in 1990 and suffering a heart attack on Mount Everest in 1996, nothing fazes this former lead diver in the Royal Navy's
Clearance Diving Branch.
The Royal Australian Navy is represented by HMA Ships Newcastle, Waller and
Clearance Diving Team Four.
Days after the incident, as hopes of finding any survivors in the sunken submarine have virtually died down, a team of 30 men from the Command
Clearance Diving Team of Western Naval Command and INS Abhimanyu continue to battle difficult conditions to recover the remaining bodies.
Royal Australian Navy Mine Warfare and
Clearance Diving Task Group commander Douglas Griffiths reiterated that the massive exercise was not only about Iran.
The JTF comprises approximately 22 people and includes a Command Group, a Royal Australian Navy
Clearance Diving Team to handle underwater UXO, Army and RAAF EOD teams who will handle land-based UXO, including air delivered items and a Medical Team.
Plymouth had been hit the captain ordered the men to a safe part of the ship to sing songs whilst men of the Fleet Maintenance Group and the Fleet
Clearance Diving Team defused and disposed of a 1000 pound bomb dropped by Argentinean aircraft.
Apart from submarines and
clearance diving, all jobs are open to men and women.
The navy
clearance diving team will be home in late May.
From February 1967 members of
Clearance Diving Team 3 also had a `difficult, often dangerous, and frequently disagreeable job to do'.