• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Essex Completes TRAV in Yokosuka

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050708-16
Release Date: 7/8/2005 1:16:00 PM

From USS Essex Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- USS Essex (LHD 2) Sailors completed their annual Training Availability (TRAV) period June 13-27 at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY).

More than 500 Sailors received extensive training from several commands at CFAY, with a majority of the training being held at CFAY’s Afloat Training Group Western Pacific (ATGWP) firefighting facility.

Essex Sailors benefited from the TRAV period, and the ship met all of its training objectives, according to Lt. Del Toney, Essex training officer.

“We have been really fortunate with our training at Yokosuka,” said Toney. “TSD/ATGWP (Training Support Detachment Western Pacific/Afloat Training Group Western Pacific), CSCS (Center for Surface Systems) and the base fire department all helped us out to complete this TRAV period. We very much appreciate all the individuals who worked so hard with Essex’ crew to help them become better Sailors.”

The main purpose of the TRAV is to enable Sailors to attend various schools at CFAY to ensure the ship has the required qualifications and Naval Enlisted Classification codes (NEC) for future operations.

Essex Training Coordinator Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Myron Gilmore said another benefit of TRAV is the savings associated with all the training comleted in during the planned availability.

“The various teams, some numbering over 30 people, from areas ranging from security to firefighting, received all their training without having to pay the cost of over 500 airline tickets to Yokosuka from Sasebo,” said Gilmore.

The two-year-old ATG Western Pacific firefighting facility features state-of-the-art equipment for training in a monitored, controlled environment. The instructors provided training in all areas of firefighting, shoring, pipe patching and other vital repair locker fundamentals.

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) Roer Mendoza, an ATGWP instructor, said Essex Sailors were very focused during their training.

“Essex Sailors have been the best group we have had come through here in recent memory,” said Mendoza. “They will no doubt take back what we’ve given them here at ATGWP and make the difference if they have to in an emergency situation.”

Essex Sailors learned proper techniques to advance on an aircraft fire.

“Coming to Yokosuka and doing the TRAV was a beneficial learning experience,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class (AW/SW) Alberta Lilly. “It’s been great for the flight deck crew. We’ll take the information we’ve learned here and apply it if we ever have to.”

Lilly added that the authentic setting, atmosphere and professionalism of ATGWP gave everyone a sense of actually being involved in a real aircraft fire.

“Although I’ve never been in an actual fire, this [training] feels like the real thing,” said Lilly. “When we were inside fighting the fire, I thought of how real the possibility of a fire is aboard the ship. We know it’s a real threat that can happen at any time. Being prepared is a critical element of our job, and we have to always be ready.”

Essex is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship, operating out of Sasebo, Japan. Essex serves under Task Force 76, Amphibious Group 1, which serves as the U.S. 7th Fleet’s amphibious arm as part of forward-deployed operations.