February 1976 - Operation ‘Tapestry’ - Surveillance of oil rigs.Operation Tapestry, using long-range maritime patrol and reaction forces based on the United Kingdom’s Special Forces, created an effective umbrella over the North Sea production facilities.
Along with other Nimrod squadrons the unit’s task was expanded in 1977 to include OPERATION TAPESTRY to locate, report and photograph foreign fishing boats within the UK's new 200 mile fishing limit and also to monitor the North Sea oil rigs and pipelines.
November 8, 2017 - Securing British waters
In the 1970s, the vision of a North Sea oil rig being attacked by Irish Republican terrorists, hostages taken and the rig eventually blown up did keep a number of political leaders awake at night. Operation Tapestry, using long-range maritime patrol and reaction forces based on the United Kingdom’s Special Forces, created an effective umbrella over the North Sea production facilities.Launched on 1 January 1977, the mission involved patrols mounted by Nimrod aircraft over an area of 700,000 km2. At no point did any rig come under threat. It is one of the classic examples of quiet, unsung security measures creating enough of a deterrent to ensure that no one got close to attacking a key element of the UK’s critical national infrastructure (CNI).The enduring legacy of Operation Tapestry, although it is hard to prove, is that prevention is always better than cure. Operation Tapestry put in place an infrastructure that developed the RMP ahead of the threat. By doing that it stopped the IRA even thinking about making an attack. A similar approach is required today, one that invests in new technologies to create an RMP that provides those charged with protecting our coastlines with real-time situational awareness.Operation Tapestry - Civil jetliner-turned-submarine hunter, the Nimrod helped to protect British shores for more than 40 years.A Tragic Mishap Hastens The EndA major contributing factor in the decision to retire the Nimrod was the tragic accident that occurred on September 2, 2006 in the skies above Afghanistan.
After refuelling, MR.2 XV230 exploded at 3,000ft (915m) due to an onboard fire. All 14 crewmembers were killed in the greatest loss of life in the British armed forces due to a single incident since the Falklands Conflict.
A subsequent board of inquiry determined that the aircraft probably experienced an overflow of fuel, which then flowed from a blow off valve to an aft bay near the starboard wing root, where it made contact with hot air duct pipes and ignited.
“ For nearly 40 years attempts by Russian submarines to penetrate Britain’s military defences have been routinely thwarted”
10 Sept 2016 - The moment a bomb disposal unit detonate an unexploded ordnance near the Severn Crossing
What happens when an unexploded ordnance is found?
Once a bomb is found, the emergency services are contacted who then contact the Explosive Ordnance Disposal HQ.
They then assess the situation.
If the bomb is found above the shoreline or on land the army are called, if it's found below the shore line the Navy teams are dispatched.
If the ordnance is an air guided or air delivered missile the RAF will be dispatched.
Depending on which service gets called, the the 'air dropped weapons' team could also be called out.
The whole operation for unexploded ordinance being found is called 'operation tapestry'.
The Royal Navy Diving and Exploitation Group (DTXG) is a specialist unit within the British Armed Forces that provides explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and underwater engineering capabilities. It is comprised of personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Logistic Corps.The "11 EOD&S Regiment RLC Directing Stuff panel" is a specific group within the DTXG that is responsible for overseeing the direction and coordination of EOD operations.
The panel is made up of experienced EOD technicians and other specialists who provide advice and guidance to commanders on the best course of action in dealing with explosive hazards.The 11 EOD&S Regiment RLC is a unit within the Royal Logistic Corps that provides EOD and ammunition technical support to the British Army.
As part of the DTXG, they work closely with their counterparts in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines to provide a comprehensive EOD capability across all branches of the British Armed Forces.
The size of the panel varies depending on the scope and complexity of the EOD operation.
On 19 - 28 Jan 2022 - EXU-1, FBI Host Maritime Post-Blast Investigation Course at NAS Key West
KEY WEST, Fla. - Expeditionary Exploitation Unit 1 (EXU-1) and the FBI’s Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Section conducted a maritime post-blast investigation course at Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West, Florida, Jan. 19-28.The U.K. Royal Navy Diving and Threat Exploitation Group (DTXG) and three U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams, including technicians from EXU-1 and EOD Mobile Unit 3, collaborated to expand and develop their maritime post-blast exploitation techniques through seven days of classroom coursework, diving, and strategic case study analysis.
The course coordinates the combined response of maritime exploitation capabilities by the Department of Defense, Department of Justice (DOJ), and the U.K. Royal Navy to global maritime explosive attacks from strategic competition in the maritime domain.
“In terms of our outlook on current geopolitical events, what helps is having both of our groups looking at the same problem sets. Working together, information exchange is quite easy and prevents numerous delays. We are often in the same places and operating jointly, so our partnership constantly sharpens our skillsets and allows us to be more prepared,” he said. “Different events tie into intelligence gathering which we can all share with each other. That is critical because it allows us to be on the same page with one another before conflict happens. So when conflict does happen, we are all prepared.”
V. Recent news about promotion in DTXG and some "Operation tapestry validation" by @RN_DTXG
VI. Structure of DTXG in September 2021
Situation in Sept 2021 - The Royal Navy Diving and Exploitation Group (DTXG) is made up of several specialist units that provide underwater engineering and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) capabilities. These units include:
- Fleet Diving Squadron (FDS): The FDS is responsible for delivering a wide range of diving services in support of maritime operations. These services include underwater search and recovery, mine countermeasures, and clearance diving.
- Maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Clearance (MEOC) Group: The MEOC Group is responsible for conducting EOD operations to neutralize unexploded ordnance and other explosive hazards in the maritime environment.
- Clearance Diving Branch (CDB): The CDB is a specialist unit within the Royal Navy that provides diving and EOD expertise in support of maritime operations. CDB personnel are trained to conduct underwater search and recovery, explosive ordnance disposal, and underwater engineering tasks.
- Underwater Unmanned Vehicle (UUV) Team: The UUV Team is responsible for operating unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to support maritime operations. These vehicles can be used for a variety of tasks, including mine countermeasures, underwater search and recovery, and reconnaissance.
- Royal Navy Maritime Counter Terrorism Unit (RN MCTU): The RN MCTU is a specialist unit within the Royal Navy that provides maritime counter-terrorism and force protection capabilities. The unit is made up of divers, marines, and other specialists who are trained to detect, deter, and respond to terrorist threats in the maritime environment.
Each of these units has specific capabilities and expertise that contribute to the overall mission of the DTXG. Together, they provide a comprehensive underwater engineering and EOD capability to support the British Armed Forces and their allies.
VII. Possible internal investigation blocked?
1 November 2022 - Following a short change of title to Foreign Policy and Security Council, the National Security Council has been re-established and meets regularly.
3 Nov 2022 - UK’s Defence Committee refused access to UK Special Forces in heated debate with Defence Minister.
In a British Parliamentary Deference Select Committee on the 2nd November, 2022, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace, has been challenged for his failure to permit members of the Defence Select Committee access to UK Special Forces.In a heated exchanged, the Committee chair, Tobias Ellwood MP said that the UK Special Forces were not the best in the world ‘about scrutiny’, and that the Special Forces – including units such as the Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Services (SBS) – were “not above scrutiny.”When asked if the Ministry of Defence could facilitate a visit to Hereford, home of the SAS, the Deference Minister said “no” and went on to argue that “this committee does not have oversight of Special Forces and its operations.”The chair of the Defence Committee disagreed, saying: “I’m sorry, we have oversight of the Armed Forces in the UK Defence.”Mr Wallace then said the Special Forces were very busy in operational work....Earlier this year, Action on Armed Violence raised concerns about a lack of parliamentary oversight of the UK’s Special Forces...
VIII. More information about DTXG team:
Post "20 points about UK subs, DDS, SWCS, MK11, deep divers, DTXG team"
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