NAPLES, Italy (USTCNS) --- Military Sealift Command's ocean-going tug and salvage ship USNS Mohawk-along with divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit Two-completed a dive exercise off Bulgaria Navy in June.

The exercise took place off the port city of Varna, May 30 to June 7, and included cross training in diving and salvage, diving capabilities, diving medicine, and emergency procedures.

U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria Dick Miles, who recognized the ship and crewmembers in a personal message to Vice Adm. Greg Johnson, commander of the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet, praised the ship and its embarked divers for a job well done.

"USNS Mohawk and its divers, clearly made a great impression on both the Bulgarian Navy, and the citizens of Varna," said Miles.

Arriving at the Bulgarian Naval base at Varna on May 30, divers immediately went to work, meeting with their Bulgarian counterparts to map out final details of the exercise.

Classroom training included demonstrations of diving equipment, hand held sonar, instruction in dive medicine, as well as underwater welding.

U.S. divers then took to the water with their Bulgarian counterparts conducted familiarization dives and practicing underwater welding techniques. Divers also conducted scuba dives using hand held sonar.

On June 3, Mohawk and its divers hosted a group of children from the Karin Dom Center for Children with Special Needs, in Varna.

"The center cares for the treatment and education of children with physical and mental disabilities," said Mohawk's master Capt. Charles Rodriguez.

"U.S. divers developed a strong professional and personal rapport with the Bulgarian divers," Miles added.

It was a busy month for Mohawk, as the ship also completed a dive exercise off Alexandria, Egypt, June 20-21. (FROM MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND - EUROPE PUBLIC AFFAIRS).