Making an impact in the Black Sea: Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) on Operation REASSURANCE
November 28, 2025 - Defence Stories
Estimated read time – 1:30
Caption
Members of Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) gather for a group photo at Marina Regina Beach, Constanta, Romania, after completing ROTO2 of Op REASSURANCE Mine Countermeasures Black Sea on October 16.
Photo by: Corporal Mark Wanzel
Off the coast of Romania, Clearance Divers and Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Operators from Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) (FDU(A)) put their Mine Countermeasure (MCM) abilities to the test by working with the Romanian Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to clear dangerous drifting sea mines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the Black Sea on Operation REASSURANCE.
While on operation, members of FDU(A) participated in the Romanian-led multinational Exercise POSEIDON 25, where dive teams from partner nations gathered in the port of Constanța to enhance skills and knowledge in MCM operations while increasing interoperability between allies. The week-long exercise took place from October 6 to 10, involving EOD teams, AUV teams, and helicopter operations.
“The importance of us coming here is to build strong relationships for future partnerships”, said Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class (CPO2) David Cheeseman, the Mine Warfare Chief of FDU(A). “While we’ve been here, we’ve disposed of some in-water threats in conjunction with the Romanian Armed Forces”.
The capabilities employed on this operation enable the Black Sea MCM Task Force to effectively locate, identify, and neutralize sea mines and other UXO that have drifted into Romanian territorial waters. Keeping these waterways clear and ensuring safety of navigation is an important contribution to general deterrence and defence efforts in Romania.
When asked what it was like working with Clearance Divers from other nations, Sailor 1st Class Tom Malo shared his insights: “Everyone has their own unique ways, tips and tricks, of doing things. It’s interesting to pool those ideas and build on those,” described Malo. “There’s no single way of doing something in diving, so it’s interesting to share tips so you can be better.”
The Canadian Armed Forces is contributing to the Black Sea MCM Task Force as part of the broader Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s commitment to deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe.
Caption
While the diver support and Intervention vessel “Grozavul” of the Romanian Naval Forces waits to move in, members of the Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) dive on a target while conducting mine countermeasure operations on the Black Sea, October 14.
Photo by: Cpl Mark Wanzel
Caption
With the help of the diver support and Intervention vessel "Grozavul" (seen in the background), members of the Fleet Diving Unit (Atlantic) conduct mine countermeasure operations on the Black Sea, October 14.
Photo by: Cpl Mark Wanzel