MOBDIVSALVUNIT 2

• Full Name: The unit's official designation is Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit TWO (MDSU 2), often abbreviated as MOBDIVSALVUNIT 2 in historical documents. • Establishment: MDSU 2 was established in 1966 in response to the growing need for specialized diving and salvage capabilities within the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet. • Homeport: The unit is headquartered at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach, Virginia, placing it in a strategic location for Atlantic operations. • Vietnam War Service: MDSU 2 personnel played a vital role during the Vietnam War, conducting salvage operations and recovering valuable military assets in hostile waters. • Space Program Involvement: Divers from MDSU 2 participated in NASA missions by helping recover space capsules after splashdown during the Gemini and Apollo programs. • 9/11 Response: After the September 11, 2001 attacks, MDSU 2 deployed divers to assist in search, recovery, and salvage operations at the Pentagon crash site. • Hurricane Katrina: In 2005, MDSU 2 was instrumental in the post-Katrina response, helping to clear New Orleans waterways and ports of debris to restore vital shipping lanes. • International Missions: The unit has participated in multinational exercises and real-world operations with allied navies, including joint salvage missions in the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf. • Complex Salvage Ops: MDSU 2 has successfully conducted high-profile salvage missions, such as raising sunken vessels, recovering downed aircraft, and clearing underwater hazards for fleet movements. • Decorations and Honors: The unit and its members have received numerous commendations for bravery and technical excellence, including Navy Unit Commendations for their work in both peace and wartime operations.