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ACU-1 Performs in TTA Period

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050911-01
Release Date: 9/11/2005 8:45:00 AM

By Journalist Seaman Adam R. Cole, Task Force 76 Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 1 Detachment Western Pacific (WESTPAC) underwent an intensive four-day training period Aug. 22-25, with top members of its parent unit looking on, and took a big step in becoming certified for deployment.

After accomplishing Tailored Training Availability (TTA) 1 and 2, it leaves just TTA 3 and Final Evaluation Period (FEP) to be checked off before ACU-1 craft can officially be sent to sea.

An eight-person training team led by ACU-1’s executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Chris Edwards, and department boatswain, Chief Warrant Officer 3 John W. Essway, pushed Sasebo’s ACU-1 crews to perform an average of 15 drills per day encompassing training in engineering, seamanship and firefighting.

Each day, crew members of the detachment’s landing craft utility (LCU) vessels got underway at 6:30 a.m. to complete a set of drills at sea and a walk-through training session in the afternoon. In all, the LCU crews went through a total of 60 drills.

“I am very pleased with the results of this TTA,” said Edwards. “Overall, I like the high morale and professionalism of this group. Their topside preservation of these craft is immaculate, a good reflection of the type of individuals here in this detachment.”

ACU-1 WESTPAC operates in a much different environment than its San Diego parent. As part of the forward-deployed naval force, its operating tempo is much higher, meaning the training cycle is much shorter and more dynamic.

“The timeline is a little more compressed,” said Chief Engineman (SW) Gavin K. Calimpong, part of the San Diego Engineering Training Team (ETT). “With that in mind, they have to really hit the ground running - and they’ve done that.”

Another distinguishing aspect of the detachment is that it functions without any officers or even a master chief or senior chief petty officer. Chief Operations Specialist (SW/AW) Daniel W. Spencer, officer in charge of ACU-1 WESTPAC detachment, is the most senior enlisted member of the unit. Training team staff all pointed out the superb job that he was able to do in getting the craft’s crews ready.

Spencer leads the WESTPAC detachment with a training-intensive mind set but also cultivates a family-oriented environment. The unit has a regular routine of unit physical training Monday, Wednesday, Friday and underway drills Tuesday and Thursday. This routine ensures readiness and helps build unit cohesion, said Spencer.

“Hard work has paid off,” said Spencer. “These guys have spent some long hours out here and endured a lot of heat. But we’ve shown that we’re capable. And that makes it worth it.”

ACU-1 is headquartered in San Diego, with an operating detachment forward deployed to Sasebo to operate, maintain and provide assault craft as required by the Amphibious Task Force Commander for waterborne ship-to-shore movement during and after an amphibious assault.