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USS Comstock Assumes Role as Afloat Forward Staging Base

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040803-02 Release Date: 8/3/2004 10:20:00 AM

By Lt. j.g. Douglas Waller, USS Comstock Public Affairs

ABOARD USS COMSTOCK (NNS) -- USS Comstock (LSD 45) assumed duties as Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) in the Northern Arabian Gulf (NAG) July 20.

In its first week on station, Comstock successfully demonstrated the ability to conduct multiple missions simultaneously in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Comstock's role as AFSB is to support the Sailors providing security for Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT) and Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT) in the NAG. This support includes three hot meals a day, to include fresh fruit and water delivered by small boats to the Navy Mobile Security Force Detachment 21 (MSF Det. 21).

In addition, Comstock also delivers: news clippings, incoming emails, and collects and distributes outgoing emails written by service members on the oil terminals. Comstock's crew also conducts various maintenance repairs to the oil terminals in order to improve the safety and quality of life for Sailors and employees alike.

Living on the oil platforms is an arduous assignment, with temperatures well over one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. To provide rest and relaxation from the intense climate and demanding security mission, Comstock hosts several MSF Sailors daily to provide accommodations such as haircuts, shopping in the ship's store, opportunities to call home, and, most of all, an air-conditioned space to watch television and get a good night's sleep.

Comstock's role as AFSB also includes the unconventional mission of delivering fuel to coalition ships operating in the NAG. Upon arrival on station, Comstock delivered fuel to three separate ships, marking the first time Comstock has acted as a delivery ship in an underway replenishment.

"The tools the ship has for amphibious operations fit well into other roles suited for our current operations," said Cmdr. John J. Braunschweig, Comstock's commanding officer. "There is not a single Marine on Comstock today, yet every piece of equipment on deck is being used to conduct our current mission. The flexibility of our crew and the equipment is amazing. I always said 'Gators Rule.' Now I actually believe it!"

Although Comstock is the only ship serving as the AFSB, she is part of Task Force 58, a larger group of coalition ships conducting maritime security operations in the NAG, including the USS Belleau Wood (LHA 3) Expeditionary Strike Group.

Comstock assists in the maritime security mission by querying and boarding vessels that wish to gain access either to the oil terminals or to Iraqi ports. Comstock's Visit, Board, Search and Seizure teams board these vessels and conduct security sweeps of their cargo and crew.

In addition to the above missions, Comstock continues to conduct Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) operations with the embarked Assault Craft Unit 5 Det. Comstock also hosts Iraqi Coastal Defense Force officers each week, to teach them about U.S. Navy operations.

"Never in my 19 years of service have I done something that has had this much bang for the buck," said Braunschweig.

Comstock deployed May 27 from San Diego along with Belleau Wood and USS Denver (LPD 9) as a part of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3. ESG 3 also includes USS Hopper (DDG 70), USS Preble (DDG 88), USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) and USS Charlotte (SSN 766). ESG 3 is commanded by Marine Brig. Gen. Joseph Medina, the first Marine to command a naval strike group.