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Fort McHenry on Her Way Home From Successful Operations

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050708-12
Release Date: 7/9/2005 10:18:00 PM

By Journalist 3rd Class David J. Ham, USS Fort McHenry Public Affairs

ABOARD USS FORT McHENRY (NNS) -- USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) will soon return to her forward deployed port in Sasebo, Japan, after successfully completing South East Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) and the first two legs of Cooperation Afloat Readiness And Training (CARAT) 2005.

Fort McHenry departed Sasebo May 17 to take part in the summer exercises.

SEACAT 2005, a weeklong, scenario-driven exercise designed to support cooperative efforts in the Philippine and South China seas, saw Fort McHenry and her crew participate in various anti-terrorism exercises such as a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) exercise with Philippine Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) and members of a U.S. Coast Guard Security Team.

Other ships that joined Fort McHenry in the exercise included the frigate USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) from Everett, Wash., the guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the container and roll-on/roll-off ship MV PFC James Anderson Jr. (T-AK 3002) of the Pacific Maritime Pre-positioning Force.

Commander, Task Group 712 Capt. Buzz Little had nothing but praise at the end of SEACAT.

“SEACAT was a success because of the combined efforts of all involved. Everyone worked well together,” he said.

With the success of SEACAT 2005, the Fort McHenry crew got underway en route to Singapore to take part in CARAT 2005, the annual series of bilateral military exercises between the United States and the Southeast Asia nations of Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. Fort McHenry participated in the first two phases, in Singapore and Thailand.

The purpose of the scheduled exercises was to enhance and improve the military readiness in a variety of mission areas of mutual benefit.

Fort McHenry’s Operations Officer, Lt. Michael Vaas, said the one thing that made CARAT 2005 an operational success was the close interaction and learning experience between U.S. and Southeast Asia navies.

“We were able to have extensive interaction with both the military and civilians from Singapore and Thailand,” said Vaas.

Vaas also said all operational exercises were accomplished, and he is certain that the cross-training conducted made all involved better prepared for future humanitarian assistance and cooperative security.

“We were able to participate in a wide assortment of exercises, allowing us to train and hone our talents in several areas that we do not get to practice that often in,” he said.

While participating in various operational exercises, 50 Fort McHenry Sailors were able to take some time out of their busy schedules to help local residents in a variety of community service events.

Fort McHenry’s Community Service Coordinator, Chief Damage Controlman Sylvester D. Miller, said that the success of the community service events alone was second to none.

“The Fort McHenry Sailors’ interactions with the children, elderly and the disabled were a great success for the wonderful Singapore and Thailand people,” he said. “This also built a good working relationship with the U.S. Navy and the Thailand and Singapore navies, as well.”

Fort McHenry is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan, as part of the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group.