: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE



OFFICE OF NEWS SERVICES



& THE PENTAGON, WASHINGTON 25, D.C. — LIBERTY 5-6700

AUDIO-VISUAL DIVISION ——— RADIO-TV-NEWSF ILM. BRANCH

ROOM 2E794 — EXTENSION 75111

(A) me

Bias Neer veo: Release No. 71-61 FINE GRAIN To;

Footage: 250'

: 13 April 3961

MOM WRC... V7



UBSDERWATER DEMOLITION UNIT

DEMONSTRATES WEW HIGH-SPEED

TWIN SLED PICKUP METHOD



{Official Kavy footege released by Department of Defense)



First official films show the Atlantic Fleet's Underwater Demolition



=. at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, demonstrating the new Mark 5 Seube gear

fee eee ee speed twin “sled” pickup method.



aor new system being used far high-speed placement aad recovery of UDT

swimmers utilizes two fibregiass "Sleds" whieh resemble ordinary rowboate with

the transoms removed. The absence of a transom permite easy access and exit

by svimmers and also permits water to fleod the sled so that it sits low in

the water. Each sled can accommodate up to ten swimmers. The sleds sre connected

at the bows by a long tow cable heving a buoy at its center. With the swimmers

on board, the sleds are released simultaneously from @ canvag sheet trailing from



= @ speeding boat.



When the swimmers have completed their assignments, they assexble in the

sleds for pickup. The tow cable connecting the sleds is stretched taut with

the buoy marking its ceater. ‘The pickup boet extends o "sword" forward from

its bow and epeeds toward the bucy. On contact with the sword, the cable rides

up to the bow of the boast ani into a winch where it is immediately engaged and

wound in. The sleds trail behind the boat as they are gradually hauled in and

Pulled on board over the canvas.



The Underwater Demolition Unit which is based at Little Creek, Virginia,

is in the Virgin Islanis briefly to train new men in diving physiology end the

use of underwater breathing apparatus of verious types including underwater

svime by compas as long as 21/2 miles. This perticular class recently completed

ites gruelling 16 weeks of basic training and "final exam" which included an

eighteen mile rum, & seren mile swim and practice raids involving actual demolition.

Sequences show:

S UT's being briefed on the beach, St. Thomas, V.I.

Db) Two fiberglass "sleds" being towed.

c) The pickup boat extends a "sword", the cable rides wp to the bow of the

boat (a) ac @ Winch waere it is immediately —— and wound in.

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fheqenatm meester, Rosttige, mekeasdayto) thieyleompany designated above, is for duplication



and ee y Aba ee. usenet It is then to be returned within

s 72h Hirer, iy water? 35th Avenue, Long Island City 1, New



Yor efmom ite waber by means of a rubber ring.



A ee — is also elease to the company designated above for distribution to pool

members so desiring for duplication purposes. Within 24 hours it will be delivered to DeLuxe

Laboratories, 850 Tenth Avenue, New York, N- Y¥-, telephone Circle 7-3220 where it will be avail-

able to non-pool members and other authorized organizations which make satisfactory financial

aeons oa oe DOUG ue The dupe negative must not be cut po any manner. a1 G/ rae £10575