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Multi-Sail helps FDNF ships work together

7th Fleet

Release Date: 2/19/2004

Journalist 3rd Class Brock Taylor, Naval Media Center, Fleet Support Detachment Yokosuka, Japan

ABOARD USS VINCENNES AT SEA -- A pre-deployment exercise held by ships of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) wrapped up off the coast of Japan Feb 6.

The exercise, dubbed Multi-Sail, was an opportunity for these ships to train together, according to Capt. Samuel Perez, commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15.

"That's the way we intend to fight. I'm not going to send one ship out to do battle," Perez said. "Engagement and the way we actually fight are two different things. We're going to fight as part of a unified body, and I want to make sure that everyone knows how to do that."

Because scheduling training periods isn't easy, Perez described Multi-Sail as "one stop shopping," where DESRON ships get a chance to knock out the bulk of required training.

"You've got to make sure that your ships are trained, ready materially and proficient," said Perez.

DESRON ships that participated included USS Vincennes (CG49), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS O'Brien (DD 975) and USS Cushing (DD 985). Also supporting the exercise were the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), based in Sasebo, Japan, the oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO 202) from Military Sealift Command, and the attack submarine USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705), based in Guam.

Some of the major training events included a torpedo exercise, naval surface fire support, and anti-submarine warfare exercises.

The large operating area provided ships ample room to rotate between different training evolutions at the same time.

One thing ships got to test a lot during Multisail was their Close-in Weapons System (CIWS). Iota, La., native, Fire Controlman 3rd Class Justin Meyers, loaded USS Vincennes' CIWS every time the call was made.

For Myers, the best part was, "Getting to work with some great guys and getting to fire that puppy," he said, pointing to the CIWS. "It's really exciting."

But behind the visible firepower demonstrated during the exercise was a massive amount of work done from deep inside the ship. Every hour of each day, Sailors were on watch in the ship's Combat Information Center (CIC). The only illumination in this room was the dim blue and red lights, and green radar tracking systems.

"It's very busy, but it's rewarding in the end when we get things done," said Operations Specialist Seaman Christian Holtz. The Riverside, Calif., native works in CIC as a surface radar coordinator.

In order for any exercise to be completed properly, CIC has to keep the ship's commanding officer informed of everything going on around the ship. Watch standers monitored the ocean, the air, and the water beneath them, making sure nothing was in the way of launching torpedoes, missiles, or firing bullets.

The exercise came to a powerful end with a missile exercise (MISSILEX). MISSILEX is an anti-ship missile training exercise designed to test a ship's defensive capabilities. In this particular exercise, Essex launched drones that served as the incoming missiles.

In response, John S. McCain, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, launched two SM2 exercise missiles at the drones.

"Watching Essex's combat systems team in action warmed this ol' sea dog's heart," said Joe Coulbourne, systems engineer from NATO Sea Sparrow Program Office, and Essex weapons training assistant for MISSILEX.

"Essex made the right calls at the right time without panic or hesitation, seeing that makes a guy like me more comfortable," said Coulbourne, a retired master chief petty officer.

According to Coulborne, a ship would have about three minutes to defend itself in an actual engagement.

"Essex proved it could handle that stress without a problem," Coulborne added.

The missiles successfully neutralized their target. Although this was all completed in a matter of minutes from the launching of the drones, the exercise in whole took a lot of preparation.

"Coordination of these kinds of exercises takes a long time and involves many people and their cooperation. The success of a Multi-Sail and MISSILEX hinges on the smart execution of each ship involved. Exercises like this help increase our Operational Readiness in this Theatre," said Chief Fire Controlman Daniel Bowen, from John S. McCain.

O'Brien, Curtis Wilbur, Cushing, and Vincennes each provided vital range clearance, making the sure everything in the area was clear from any unintended targets, such as fishing boats.

Embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 51, which operates out of Atsugi, Japan, also provided range clearance from the air.

With the completion of the Multi-sail exercise, these FDNF ships are now more capable of supporting the USS Kitty Hawk strike group. Every successful exercise, from TORPEX to MISSILEX, demonstrated that COMDESRON 15 has what it takes to keep the strike group up to par as a vital FDNF in Seventh Fleet.

And that's important, according to Lt. j.g. Mike Martin, Vincennes' test officer. He noted that part of the challenge of being assigned to the FDNF is quickness with which ships have to respond. Events like Multi-Sail help make that possible.

"We need to take advantage of it when we have it because it could be tomorrow that we receive tasking and you have to be ready at a moments notice," Martin said.