Ensuring the Navy’s warfighters are prepared for underwater challenges, U.S. Navy Seabee Divers from Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 2’s Construction Dive Detachment (CDD) Charlie provided vital subsurface infrastructure maintenance for the Southern California Anti-Submarine Warfare Range (SOAR) in August 2025, ensuring the Navy’s ability to train and certify submarine and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) units.

Southern California Anti-Submarine Warfare Range SOAR, managed by the Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges Program Office (PMA-205), is a key deep-sea training range that provides a realistic underwater environment for the Navy’s ASW training pipeline where U.S. Navy submarine and ASW units train and certify for deployment. With coordination from PMA-205 representatives, UCT 2’s CDD Charlie conducted essential underwater engineering services to sustain the SOAR system’s functionality and longevity, including flushing conduits with corrosion inhibitor, replacing sacrificial zinc anodes, and documenting the condition of conduits at the Sea-Shore Interface.

“Seabee divers are on the Navy’s best-kept secrets, and without their unique capabilities, our submarine and ASW training efforts in the Pacific would be greatly impacted. said Capt. Jonathan Schiffelbein, PMA-205 program manager. “We continue to rely on UCT TWO because of their exceptional professionalism and expertise in engineering and construction within the subsea environment. I commend Det Charlies and UCT 2 for their unwavering dedication.”

The operation required seamless coordination between two synchronized teams - one topside and one underwater. The topside crew prepared cable lockers, set up pumps, coordinated with San Clemente Island Public Works for water access, and prepared the corrosion-inhibitor solution to flush the conduit. Meanwhile, the dive team deployed via a lightweight patrol boat to perform underwater operations at depths of 80 feet. Using Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus, divers located the conduits, executed the flushing process, and captured facility condition data using GoPro footage to assess conduit and sacrificial anode integrity.

“It’s fantastic to see the hard work and preparation of my team come together,” said Lt. Ryan Leonard, Officer in Charge of UCT 2 Detachment Charlie. “Flexing both surface and subsurface capabilities to get the work done safely and on time was tough work, but no one could have done it better than Charlie.”

For UCT 2 and its mission partners, the SOAR operation was more than just maintenance--it showcased the strength of organizational collaboration and the professionalism of Navy Seabee Divers in executing underwater engineering missions.

UCT 2, based in Port Hueneme, California, provides specialized capabilities in construction, inspection, repair and maintenance of ocean facilities worldwide. In addition to supporting Fleet and Marine Corps operations, UCT 2 maintains the readiness to conduct amphibious support, emergency repairs, and disaster recovery missions whenever called upon.