Keywords: US Navy 041113-N-5319A-001 Explosives charges provided by Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Two (EODMU-2) detonate aboard the U.S. Navy's decommissioned destroyer Hayler (DD 997), during a Sink Exercise.jpg en Atlantic Ocean Nov 13 2004 - Explosives charges provided by Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit EODMU 2 detonate aboard the U S Navy s decommissioned destroyer Hayler DD 997 during a Sink Exercise conducted 300 miles off the East Coast of the United States The amphibious assault ship USS Saipan LHA 2 along with the Chargers of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Six HC 6 participated in the four-day exercise held Nov 12-14 Hayler was the last Spruance-class of destroyers built by the Navy and was decommissioned on Aug 25 2003 All decommissioned ships receive a thorough inspection by the EPA before sinking and will now act as an artificial reef for deep-sea marine life The sinking of these ships provides unique weapons training opportunities U S Navy photo by Photographer s Mate 1st Class Brien Aho RELEASED 2004-11-13 041113-N-5319A-001 Navy http //www navy mil/view_image asp id 18894 U S Navy photo by Photographer s Mate 1st Class Brien Aho PD-USGov-Military-Navy USS Hayler DD-997 Sinking exercises United States Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Explosions Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 2 |