Emory S. Land Sailors Conduct Dive with Royal Malaysian Navy

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Samuel Souvannason, USS Emory S. Land Public Affairs

SEPANGAR, Malaysia (NNS) -- Navy divers assigned to submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) conducted a coordinated scuba diving evolution with Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) divers April 8.

"We were honored by our Malaysian counterpart's invitation to conduct joint diving operations," said Chief Navy Diver Jose Castilla. "This was an opportunity to enhance the enlisted side of our two militaries' growing relationship."

Before the dive, the RMN sailors toured Emory S. Land and exchanged t-shirts.

"It's sort of a tradition," said Navy Diver 2nd Class Jody Kappen. "When divers get together with other divers we exchange t-shirts. It allows us to showcase the different places we dive and the different divers we meet, and this is certainly one I'll want to show off."

Royal Malaysian Navy diver Seruji and Navy Diver 1st Class Peter Kozminsky took to the water to conduct a scuba diving evolution involving the inspection of the ship's screw as part of a pre-underway check.

"The Malaysian divers' familiarity with these waters was critical to the success of the evolution," said Castilla.

Land is in Malaysia as part of a theater security cooperation and good will mission in the region. Land is currently on an extended deployment to Guam serving as 7th Fleet's lead afloat fleet maintenance activity. USS Emory S. Land is homeported in Diego Garcia.

To learn more about USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) visit www.as39.navy.mil or www.facebook.com/emorysland.