Norfolk, Va. - NewsChannel 3 is learning that four sailors from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 will be facing special court martial this fall.
Navy officials say it all stems from the deaths of Petty Officer First Class James Reyher and Petty Officer Second Class Ryan Harris. The two divers died back in February at the Super Pond on Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, while their unit was training for a deployment.
Earlier this year, the Navy launched an Article 32 investigation into two senior leaders from the unit, Chief Warrant Officer Three Mark Smith, and Senior Chief James Burger, for dereliction of duty and involuntary manslaughter.
At their hearing, testimony revealed that the divers in their unit had several equipment malfunctions, while diving beyond normal training limits, but their cases were not recommended for court martial.
As for the four sailors now facing special court martial, their names are not being released until they are formally arraigned in the next two weeks.
