Royal Australian Navy Able Seaman Uri Kurop, Clearance Diving Team 1, prepares for a night dive with the rest of his team during Exercise Kernel Blitz 97, on June 20, 1997. Explosive ordnance disposal and mine clearing teams from the U.S., Australia and Canada are taking part in the exercise to ensure mine free sea lanes. Kernel Blitz 97 is a major amphibious exercise taking place in Southern California and waters offshore. More than 12,000 sailors, Marines, soldiers, guardsmen and airmen are involved in the exercise which is designed to test the Navy-Marine Corps team's ability to project combat power ashore. Kurop's team is operating from the USS Denver (LPD 9).