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Bravo Squadron
Organisation / Units & Squadrons

Bravo Squadron

Bravo Squadron is one of the Royal Navy’s two Fleet Squadron Area Diving Groups. With exceptional bravery and skill, Bravo Squadron keep British waters free from explosive ordnance.

SDG

Role

With a day job that combines bomb disposal and underwater diving, the Mine Clearance Divers of Bravo Squadron are among the most highly skilled and fearless personnel in the Royal Navy.

Bravo Squadron‘s primary role is to keep UK waters free from unexploded wartime ordnance. Despite their age, unexploded bombs and mines pose a serious threat both to the public and to critical national infrastructure. We also complete a range of more general duties - from water maintenance and repair to battle damage assessments.

Our vital work demonstrates the Royal Navy’s continued contribution to the safety of the public and maritime traffic and gives an insight into daring, expertise and bravery of Royal Navy Divers.

Capability

Land and Maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Unexploded Ordnance responsibility - safely disposing of sea-mines, bombs and unexploded devices found in tidal waters below the high-water mark, on vessels at sea or in port, at offshore installations and across all Royal Navy Properties.

Improvised Explosive Device Disposal, in both Land and Maritime environments - in support of Military Aid to Civil Authorities when suspicious items are found by the public or local authorities.

NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS) – Bravo Squadron provides a team at 48hrs notice to support the submarine rescue system.

Crew

Led by Lieutenant Commander James Oxley, based across two bases - His Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth and Horsea Island, Portsmouth - Bravo Squadron is made up of around 60 Royal Navy Clearance Divers and support staff.

Highly trained divers and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) experts, the diving group is responsible for removing all Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) found in tidal waters below the high-water mark, on vessels, and at offshore and inshore properties.

Additionally, the unit carries out Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) at land and sea in support of the public or local authorities.

Also on standby to fulfil essential service and duty on the global stage, Bravo Squadron provides support to the NATO Submarine Rescue System. Able to deliver a dedicated team working on this extremely complex rescue chamber system - a globally deployable network of recompression chambers and mini submersibles, the group is capable of contributing to rescue efforts for stricken submariners.

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