During the Vietnam War, what task were Navy Divers primarily responsible for?

Navy Divers during the Vietnam War were primarily tasked with recovering downed aircraft and boats, which was critical for military operations in the challenging underwater environments of Southeast Asia. This involved diving operations to locate and retrieve aircraft that had crashed into water bodies or to recover Navy craft that had sunk or encountered difficulties. The importance of this task was underscored by the need to salvage valuable military equipment and provide critical support to ongoing operations and missions.

While conducting underwater demolitions, maintaining naval ships, and providing medical support were all important aspects of naval operations, they were not the primary focus for Navy Divers during the Vietnam War. The retrieval of downed aircraft and vessels was particularly vital given the high stakes of the conflict and the strategic value of recovering any operable equipment. This specialized role underscored the divers' skills in underwater navigation, salvage operations, and their ability to work effectively in hostile environments.