Military

The annual exercise, called MISSILEX, allowed the ships to test their weapons systems
in combat scenarios.

"Training like this is key to combating real-life air threats," said Ensign
Lyn Niemeyer, electronic warfare officer on the USS O’Brien, which participated in
the exercises.

"Overall, the training has been intense throughout the ship with extended General
Quarters for most of the day and ship maneuvering to maximize the simulated hostile
environment."

Yokosuka-based ships in the exercises were the Chancellorsville, USS O’Brien, USS
Cowpens, USS John S. McCain, USS Curtis Wilbur, USS Cushing, USS Vandegrift and USS Gary.

The Sasebo-based USS Essex and USNS John Ericsson also participated in the exercise.
The Ericsson replenished several of the ships at sea but did not participate in the
missile firing.

During the shoot, the ships were aligned in column formation, firing NATO Sea Sparrow
missiles and standard missiles at target drones launched by the O’Brien, Navy
officials said. The drones simulated inbound enemy missiles.

"It’s an annual event to come out and do this shoot," said Chief Petty
Officer Jim Browning, a gunner’s mate on the Chancellorsville. "We test the
entire Aegis weapon system and make sure everything is aligned right — working,
talking, communicating."

As the drones are turned back toward the column of ships, each ship begins making radar
intercepts and tracking the inbound threats.

"We intercept the radar of a contact and analyze parameters, frequency, scan
type," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan Arnold, an electronic warfare technician on
the Chancellorsville. "We then determine that these type of radars belong to this
certain type of aircraft or ship, we look at where we are in the world and what kind of
platforms we can expect to see in the area. We use this information to identify the
contact."

Once the contacts are identified as friend or foe, defensive missiles can be launched.

For many aboard the ships, it was a first.

"In my 10 years in the Navy, I have never seen a missile shoot," said Petty
Officer 2nd Class Danyell Lamont Lynn of the O’Brien.

Navy officials termed the exercise, which ran from Feb. 4-8, a success.

"Exercises such as this will ensure that we are prepared to answer the
nation’s call in a timely manner, anywhere in the world and with an appropriate
degree of lethality," said Lt. Cmdr. Bill Parker, Chancellorsville executive officer.