U.S. Navy Deploys Dolphins Against Terror
In an effort to thwart terrorist attacks like those on the USS Cole, the U.S. Navy has deployed a new animal-ally in the war on terrorism -- the MK 6 anti-swimmer dolphins.
With a lot more on the ball than your typical Sea World entertainers, these specially selected and trained bottlenose dolphins now patrol the waters off Arabian Gulf ports preventing "uninvited guests" from doing harm.
"It is reassuring to know that we can put our anti-swimmer dolphins where we need them rapidly and successfully, in order to protect our Sailors, ships and high value assets," said Lt.
Cmdr. Martin Anderson, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command?s Special Operations branch officer in a Navy press release. "These dolphins and their handlers provide a valuable capability, by guarding U.S. and coalition ships and piers in the waters of not only the Arabian Gulf, but throughout 5th Fleet waters."
With a service history actually dating back to the Vietnam war, the MK 6 dolphins took over the Arabian Gulf duty from their predecessors, the California Sea Lion Shallow Water Intruder Detection System.
The Navy selected bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions for operational force protection training and duty due to their ability to adapt to a wide variety of ocean environments.
"They?re able to adapt rapidly, and their biological sonar is very effective,? said Naval Space and Warfare (SPAWAR) representative, Mark Yates, referring to the mammals' efficient hydrodynamic shape and natural sonar system that can both send and receive sound waves.
While the sea lions have been retired, they provided the Navy with valuable experience into the training and use of marine mammals in defensive roles.
"We used the data from the sea lions, as well as data from previous marine mammal deployments to the Texas Gulf Coast, to develop climate controlled facilities for the mammals and enhance warm water operations," explained SPAWAR veterinarian Cynthia Smith. "They have quickly acclimated to operate effectively."
With capabilities that humans and hardware lack, the swimmer defense dolphins provide a formidable defense for U.S. Navy ships and facilities. Their ability to operate in diverse environments make them easily deployable to other areas in the Arabian Gulf, providing stability in the region, and a strong deterrent against terrorist attacks.
With a lot more on the ball than your typical Sea World entertainers, these specially selected and trained bottlenose dolphins now patrol the waters off Arabian Gulf ports preventing "uninvited guests" from doing harm.
"It is reassuring to know that we can put our anti-swimmer dolphins where we need them rapidly and successfully, in order to protect our Sailors, ships and high value assets," said Lt.
Cmdr. Martin Anderson, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command?s Special Operations branch officer in a Navy press release. "These dolphins and their handlers provide a valuable capability, by guarding U.S. and coalition ships and piers in the waters of not only the Arabian Gulf, but throughout 5th Fleet waters."
With a service history actually dating back to the Vietnam war, the MK 6 dolphins took over the Arabian Gulf duty from their predecessors, the California Sea Lion Shallow Water Intruder Detection System.
The Navy selected bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions for operational force protection training and duty due to their ability to adapt to a wide variety of ocean environments.
"They?re able to adapt rapidly, and their biological sonar is very effective,? said Naval Space and Warfare (SPAWAR) representative, Mark Yates, referring to the mammals' efficient hydrodynamic shape and natural sonar system that can both send and receive sound waves.
While the sea lions have been retired, they provided the Navy with valuable experience into the training and use of marine mammals in defensive roles.
"We used the data from the sea lions, as well as data from previous marine mammal deployments to the Texas Gulf Coast, to develop climate controlled facilities for the mammals and enhance warm water operations," explained SPAWAR veterinarian Cynthia Smith. "They have quickly acclimated to operate effectively."
With capabilities that humans and hardware lack, the swimmer defense dolphins provide a formidable defense for U.S. Navy ships and facilities. Their ability to operate in diverse environments make them easily deployable to other areas in the Arabian Gulf, providing stability in the region, and a strong deterrent against terrorist attacks.
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