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Boxer Surge Deployment Demonstrates Enhanced Flexibility

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040116-03

Release Date: 1/16/2004 11:55:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class Karen M. Golembieski, USS Boxer Public Affairs

ABOARD USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) -- Jan. 14, six months after returning from an accelerated deployment that began in January 2003, USS Boxer (LHD 4) departed San Diego to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to Boxer's Commanding Officer, Capt. Tom Crowley, four factors have been key to Boxer's ability to deploy so quickly after its return from Operation Iraqi Freedom in late July 2003: continuous training and maintenance, stable manning and Sailor attitude.

"As soon as we began our last deployment, we started training Sailors for their future watch stations. Shortly after we returned, we intensified this effort. The watch standers are ready today," Crowley said.

"The continuous maintenance capability in the Southwest Region, both Navy and contractor, is responsive and highly capable," he continued. "While Boxer works at self-sufficiency, this maintenance team has always been there for us when work was beyond our capability. As a result, the work in our now-deferred scheduled maintenance availability was mostly alterations and long term projects, but nothing that degrades our day-to-day readiness."

As a part of the Optimal Manning Experiment (OME), Boxer operates with 991 Sailors, about 90 percent of traditional LHD manning.

"Navy leadership has done a remarkable job ensuring we are fully manned to the OME levels, not only in the number of Sailors, but also with all the right skill sets. As a result, we can plan our watch stander and technical training to anticipate most personnel losses," Crowley explained. "This type of manpower stability lets us achieve continuous readiness."

Still, according to Crowley, the most important factors in surge deployment readiness are the Sailors and Marines.

"These young Americans are incredible," he said. "They are talented and dedicated. Whenever the nation asks, they step forward and do the mission. Without them, and the support of their families, we could never be this responsive. They should make every American proud and grateful."