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MCMDIV 31 Ships Receive Praise, Awards

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030915-04

Release Date: 9/15/2003 10:48:00 PM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Dennis J. Herring, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, 5th Fleet Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Commanding officers of the four mine-hunting vessels stationed in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility were presented the Bronze Star Medal at an awards ceremony here recently.

Vice Adm. Timothy J. Keating, Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander 5th Fleet presented the medals recognizing the effort of the crews during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

Crews from USS Ardent (MCM 12), USS Dextrous (MCM 13), USS Cardinal (MHC 60) and USS Raven (MHC 61) were present to receive awards ranging from the Bronze Star to Letters of Commendation signed by Keating.

"The crews did a fantastic job in a riverine environment, a mission they aren't normally trained for," said Cmdr. Ian Hall, commander, Mine Countermeasures Division 31. "These ships are designed for open-ocean, mine countermeasures. Going into Iraq's Khawr Abd Allah waterway was very challenging, but the crews did a magnificent job.

"We presented many awards for their work during OIF, but most of all we recognized the commanding officers for exceptional leadership while taking their crews into harm's way. More important, they brought their crews home safely," Hall added.

"We were engaged in a mission we were not trained for," said Lt. Tracey Green, Dextrous' executive officer. "We had to train ourselves for the job by joining with British ships and creating a practice area before OIF to prepare.

"The waterways had not been surveyed since 1992, so there were no accurate charts. There were also a lot of damaged and sunken vessels in the waterway."

One Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal was presented to Chief (sel.) Mineman Jerry L. Gerhardt from Dextrous. While the Dextrous crew transited the KAA waterway hunting for mines, Gerhardt spotted a small boat along the river's bank.

"The boat appeared to be rigged for a suicide attack," said Gerhardt. He was standing watch at the topside 50-caliber machine gun just after sunrise when the ship passed the small boat the first time.

"We couldn't clearly identify the target as we passed by in the morning, but when we returned later, I could easily tell it was a small boat," said Gerhardt. "I called the officer of the deck and reported what I saw. We pulled in closer, and there were ammo cans all over the area. Explosive ordnance technicians investigated and informed us of the explosives."

During OIF, 10 coalition mine countermeasures ships transited the Khawr Abd Allah waterway clearing over 900 miles of water space. More than 230 mine-like objects were investigated and 90 mines were recovered. Eleven of those were destroyed. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6 (Detachments 2, 6, and 8) and U.S. Naval Special Clearance Team 1 (with an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle detachment) helped to classify and destroy these mines.

"These Sailors deserve praise for their dedication," Hall said. "The quick effort of these crews created a swept channel in the KAA, allowing the British ship, RFA Sir Galahad (L 3005) access to transport humanitarian aid into Iraq in late March."

The Secretary of the Navy has authorized awarding the Combat Action Ribbon to each of the crews of the four ships.