Operation Open Spirit: Local diver helps make the Baltic Sea safe

Photo by Lt(N) Joel Cormier
Leading Seaman Hector Ladron de Guevara from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) recently deployed on Operation Open Spirit 2016 in Lithuania.

Captain Kirk Sullivan, CJOC Headquarters ~

A Clearance Diver from Fleet Diving Unit (Pacific) recently deployed to Lithuania to help improve the safety of seafarers in the Baltic Sea.

Leading Seaman Hector Ladron de Guevara participated in Operation Open Spirit 2016 in Klaipeda, Lithuania, from May 13-27.

He and his fellow divers worked with their counterparts from 12 nations to remove unexploded ordnance left from the First and Second World Wars.

During the operation, LS Ladron de Guevara placed explosives on a recently discovered mine.

When the area around the mine was secured, the Canadian dive team conducted a controlled detonation.

“It’s a challenging task and we need to be careful when approaching objects that could be mines,” he said.

“When objects are identified as mines, we use our well-rehearsed procedures to ensure we conduct the detonation safely. We practice regularly to make sure we’re ready for these real-life situations.”

Originally from Villahermosa, Mexico, LS Ladron de Guevara came to Canada in 1996 and joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2001 as Boatswain.

He became a Clearance Diver in 2012 and has deployed on Exercise Dugong and Operation Nanook.

“I love training for operations and appreciate the opportunities to deploy and work alongside divers from around the world,” he said.

During Operation Open Spirit 2016, he and the Canadian dive team exchanged tactics, techniques, and procedures with allies in order to refine explosive ordnance disposal capabilities.

“It’s always interesting to work with divers from other countries,” he said.

“During this operation, we shared practices that work well for us and picked up some good tips that may help us in the future. It was a great experience.”

Operation Open Spirit is an annual multinational operation that provides the CAF with an opportunity to strengthen ties with key allies in Eastern Europe.

The operation is also a chance for Royal Canadian Navy Clearance Divers to develop and validate advanced conventional munitions disposal capabilities under conditions that cannot be easily replicated in Canada.