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Curtis Wilbur Hones Warfighting Skills During JASEX '05

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050821-01
Release Date: 8/21/2005 7:03:00 AM

By Lt. j.g. Jessica L. Gandy, USS Curtis Wilbur Public Affairs

USS CURTIS WILBUR, At Sea (NNS) -- In August, USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), units of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Carrier Strike Group and other U.S. Navy forces participated in integrated strike group operations, including Joint Air Sea Exercise 2005 (JASEX ‘05).

In its third year, JASEX focused on integrated joint training among U.S. military forces. It enabled real-world proficiency in detecting, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air and on land in response to a range of mission areas.

“This type of training provides a unique opportunity for all Sailors, Airmen, and Marines to work together in a maritime environment and enhance our operational proficiency,” said Lt. Diane Quattrone, Curtis Wilbur’s operations officer, from Hightstown, N.J.

During JASEX ’05, surface ships conducted more than 40 events, including anti-submarine warfare scenarios, identification and simulated engagement of hostile surface threats and air defense of the strike group.

Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Preston Talbott, from Crestview, Fla., acted as the gun weapons system console operator throughout various simulated anti-surface gunnery engagements and pre-action calibration firings with the ship’s 5-inch gun.

“It is pretty intense because I need to be cognizant of the air and surface picture at all times," Talbott said. "I may have to switch to different rounds or change my way of thinking during my engagements of hostile surface or air threats."

Also during the exercise, hundreds of smaller yet critical events took place in order to make everything come together.

“It has been very rigorous for us in the oil lab, because we’ve had to transfer more fuel more often. Refueling is absolutely necessary with the amount of gas that we’ve been burning to conduct various exercises the last several weeks,” said Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) 3rd Class Vincent Compean, from El Paso, Texas, who serves as the ship’s assistant “oil king.”

Sailors like Storekeeper 2nd Class (SW) Gregory Kumenda, from Nairobi, Kenya, devoted countless hours to obtaining high priority parts and materials that were critical in the repair of different systems involved with JASEX 05.

“What made me feel a sense of accomplishment was when USS Chancellorsville’s (CG 62) helicopter transferred parts essential to the ship at 4 a.m.,” said Kumenda.

By the completion of JASEX ’05, Curtis Wilbur had helped to improve the joint interoperability between the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, as well as contributing to the individual professional development of many Sailors from the crew.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of my crew and how hard they worked, and how much effort they demonstrated throughout these demanding events," said Cmdr. John T. Lauer III, Curtis Wilbur’s commanding officer. “The ‘Steel Hammer’ (Curtis Wilbur) crew looks forward to more challenging exercises like JASEX ‘05 to improve on widespread warfare skill sets.”

Participating units in JASEX ’05 included Kitty Hawk, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, USS Boxer (LHD 4), Chancellorsville, USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Stethem (DDG 63), USS Vandegrift (FFG 48), USS Gary (FFG 51), USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), and M/V CPL. Louis J. Hauge Jr. (T-AK 3000).