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Saipan ESG Conducts Group Sail

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040413-04

Release Date: 4/13/2004 2:54:00 PM

By Chief Journalist Thomas A. Kreidel, USS Saipan Public Affairs

ABOARD USS SAIPAN, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Saipan (LHA 2), commanded by Capt. Christopher Hase, along with the surface ships that will make up the Saipan Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), took a major step in learning to work together as a team, conducting a Group Sail March 15-19.

This was the first time these ships have operated together, and it was a chance for their crews to focus on the teamwork and communications that will be vital to the success of their upcoming deployment.

The ESG concept is relatively new for the Navy and Marine Corps, essentially a re-enforced Amphibious Ready Group that can deliver strike capabilities across a greater range, allowing the fleet to cover more parts of the world effectively. With the addition of cruisers and destroyers, the ESG can strike inland targets with missiles and shells, in addition to the traditional capability of launching Marines and landing craft.

Commander, Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 2, Commodore Christopher Chace and his staff are embarked aboard Saipan as the commander of the Saipan ESG. USS Trenton (LPD 14), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), USS Hue City (CG 66), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and USS Underwood (FFG 36) participated in the Group.

"This is our first basic practice for real world events," said Master Chief Machinist's Mate (SW) David Linja, senior enlisted advisor for COMPHIBRON 2. "It's a great chance for us to get used to each other, and take back what we've learned to make things even better."

The tools they used to communicate to each other include tactical data links, Global Command and Control System, secure radio connections and video teleconferencing.

"It brings shore elements, subs and surface ships all together so we can be one team," said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class (SW) Vaughn Murray, a communications and automated data processing technician for COMPHIBRON 2.

Much of that communication goes through Saipan's Combat Information Center (CIC). Officers and operations specialists in CIC use a variety of tools to monitor the other ships participating in Group Sail, as well as all other ships and aircraft in the surrounding area.

"We're the nucleus of the ship," said Chief Operations Specialist (SW/AW) Tarrance Holcombe.

According to Chief Operations Specialist (SW) Dave Klosinski, Sailors on watch in CIC use the array of tools at hand to track everything in the area. One example is a Tactical Data Link between the ships in the ESG, enabling them to see what all the other ship's see.

"We track everything to create a maritime picture," he said. "Everyone sees what everyone else is seeing. We count on that to present the fullest picture possible for the decision makers."

One tool used by the operations specialists (OS) in CIC to keep that picture current is an electronic chat room. While the functionality of that chat room is similar to instant messaging services commonly available to home Internet users, the chat room used by the Saipan OSs is kept operationally secure through encryption.

"It's very helpful when communicating. Sometimes when there is a lot going on in CIC, there can be multiple people talking; so being able to read the information on the computer screen is a lot easier," Klosinksi elaborated.

For Saipan's crew, Group Sail was a chance to flex its muscles in disciplines the crew hasn't worked on during the last few months, from down in the well deck all the way up to the flight deck.

AV-8 Harriers from the "Bulldogs" of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point practiced take-offs and landings aboard Saipan, the first time Harriers have been on the ship's flight deck for more than a year.

Ship's boatswain's mates spent the last full day of Group Sail conducting a refueling at sea with USNS Laramie (T-AO 203). For the Sailors who pull the lines and rig the stations, staying sharp in this area is essential.

"It's our profession and we go by the book," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Kevin Calvas. "It requires a lot of teamwork from all the hard working deck seamen we have here."

As an underway replenishment Safety Observer, Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Terence Taylor helps ensure the Sailors on deck are doing things by that book with safety briefs and check-off sheets that leave no detail to chance.

"It can be a dangerous event," he explained. "That's where ORM [Operational Risk Management] comes into place. Safety is the responsibility of all hands, not just the Safety Observer."

With Group Sail behind them, Saipan and the other ships in the ESG continue on to the next step of their Inter-Deployment Readiness Cycle. The lessons learned and skills obtained in the coming weeks and months will be essential when operating as an ESG.