Navy’s Clearance Divers Sharpen Underwater Threat Response in Exercise Cuttlefish

Australia’s elite Clearance Diving Team 4 has completed a demanding round of underwater operations during Exercise Cuttlefish, held in the coastal waters of Cockburn Sound, Western Australia. The exercise brought together some of the Navy’s most skilled explosive ordnance disposal experts to test their precision, endurance, and adaptability under realistic, high-intensity scenarios.

Among the most challenging drills was an airborne mine disposal operation, where pairs of divers were tasked with placing demolition charges on simulated underwater mines. Once the charges were set, the divers were swiftly extracted by an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter before executing a controlled detonation—a complex manoeuvre requiring seamless teamwork and absolute focus.

Testing Skill Under Pressure Leading Seaman Joseph Taylor, who took part in the drill, described the experience as one of the toughest he has faced.

“It’s harder than you think, swimming under a hovering helo,” he said. “The rotor wash sprays water everywhere, making it almost impossible to see what you’re doing. You have to stay aware of your surroundings and keep track of the mine’s position at the same time.”

The exercise pushed divers to operate in environments that mimic real-world conditions—where visibility, stability, and timing are constantly challenged by unpredictable factors.

Building Strength Through Collaboration

Exercise Cuttlefish is a national-level training activity designed to sharpen the Navy’s response to underwater threats. It focuses on advanced mine countermeasure tactics, counter-improvised explosive device (IED) response, and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD)—core skills that ensure the Navy can safeguard Australia’s maritime interests in any scenario.

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Lieutenant Elliot Creagh, Operations Officer of Clearance Diving Team 4, said the exercise underscored the importance of cooperation between specialised units.

“Our Maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team worked closely with the Australian Mine Warfare Team and autonomous underwater vehicle operators to locate, identify, and neutralise mine threats in the area,” Lieutenant Creagh explained.

“We also simulated modern IED situations, similar to those encountered in current overseas operations.”

Adapting to Modern Maritime Threats

According to Lieutenant Creagh, Exercise Cuttlefish reflects how adaptable and forward-thinking Australia’s naval divers have become.

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“Cuttlefish showed how flexible and collaborative our teams are,” he said. “It’s a significant step forward in refining Australia’s mine warfare tactics, techniques, and procedures.”

The integration of autonomous underwater vehicles, data-driven detection systems, and enhanced training practices demonstrates how the Navy is embracing digital innovation to stay ahead of evolving underwater threats.

Ensuring Maritime Readiness and Resilience 

Exercises like Cuttlefish are vital to Australia’s broader defence posture, ensuring the Navy remains ready to respond quickly and effectively to underwater challenges—whether during conflict, peacekeeping operations, or humanitarian missions.

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Through determination, precision, and teamwork, Clearance Diving Team 4 continues to strengthen Australia’s underwater defence capabilities—proving once again that excellence beneath the surface is as critical as dominance above it.