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USS Chafee Quells Riotous Exercises

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS041102-14
Release Date: 11/2/2004 11:55:00 PM

By Journalist Seaman Ryan C. McGinley, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Sailors attached to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) encountered angry protestors on the pier Oct. 28 during a mock civil disturbance scenario as part of the ship's three-month anti-terrorism/force protection (AT/FP) warfare certification.

The drill was the third and final phase conducted by Afloat Training Group (ATG), Middle Pacific (MIDPAC) to prepare Chafee's crew for real-life AT/FP situations in order to protect the ship. ATG MIDPAC is responsible for training all Pearl Harbor ships and submarines in AT/FP.

"It is what we call objective-based training," said Chief Master-at-Arms Pamela Medearis. "The overall goal is to be combat ready."

ATG MIDPAC put Chafee through a three-period training evolution that incorporates known and unknown threats the ship might encounter while on deployment.

Period one teaches basic waterside defense, which includes takedowns and crowd control for ships and submarines. The second period teaches defense against hands-on swimmer and small boat attacks, suicide bombers and vehicle bombs.

"If we weren't able to do this, I wouldn't know how to react to this situation," said Torpedoman's Mate 1st Class Charlene Carter. "There's a lot of emotion involved and now I do. It's good to get yourself comfortable with the equipment needed to deal with a civil disturbance of this nature."

When they get to period three in the exercise, ATG MIDPAC lets the ship or submarine operate on its own without advice or help, which teaches the Sailors to recognize diversions and possible threats, and take appropriate measures to fend off enemies.

"With the real-life scenarios, you actually get to go down and put into practice the things you learn from the instructors," said Ensign Steve Bower, anti-terrorism officer for Chafee. "There's no substitute for that."

Bower also added constant training is the key to understanding the situation and acting accordingly.

"The training is what simulates the real world environment overseas," he said. "The more we train, the more it will prepare us to respond accurately if these things actually occur."

ATG MIDPAC has stepped up efforts and training sessions after the incident with the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) and the Sept. 11 attacks, to help train Sailors for any possible situation.

"We make sure that we teach them how to defend themselves from air, water and land," said Medearis. "We love doing this work because we know it pays off."

Chafee was commissioned Oct. 18, 2003, and arrived in her new homeport Pearl Harbor Dec. 19, 2003.