USS Fort McHenry, JDS Ohsumi Complete Transport Exercise 2006
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060214-05
Release Date: 2/14/2006 1:05:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class David J. Ham, USS Fort McHenry Public Affairs
SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) returned to its forward deployed base of Sasebo, Japan, Feb. 12, after successfully completing a four-day bilateral Transportation Exercise (TRANSPORTEX) 06 off the coast of Numazu beach with Japanese Defense Ship (JDS) Ohsumi (LST 4001).
Sailors from Fort McHenry and Ohsumi participated in the second bilateral exercise Feb. 5-8 in waters off of Yokosuka, Japan, enhancing the maritime transport proficiency and interoperability of the U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) in support of humanitarian relief missions.
A plaque exchange ceremony by Fort McHenry commanding officer, Cmdr. Michael Talaga, and Ohsumi commanding officer, Capt. Masami Ohkoudo, officially began TRANSPORTEX. Following the plaque exchange, Sailors from both ships took a ship familiarization tour and in-port training session.
Fort McHenry’s commanding officer spoke of the potential benefits of this training for the future.
“The success of the cross deck and Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) exercises are going to pay great dividends for us in the future in the event that we have to do direct response to humanitarian relief efforts like the one that was conducted just last year in Indonesia,” said Talaga.
Fort McHenry’s operations officer, Lt. Michael Vaas, said, “It was very easy to work with the JMSDF. Before any of the training evolutions took place, we got together with them for a couple of planning conferences to plan the exercises such as a (helicopter) cross-deck and the Landing Craft Air Cushion exercise.”
Vaas was very impressed with the ship tour, training session and the interaction between the two navies.
“It was nice being moored across from each other. We sent a large group over to their ship and they did likewise for the ship tours,” said Vass.
While in port, both ships conducted well-deck training to familiarize both LCAC crews with each other’s ships.
“Fort McHenry and Ohsumi’s LCAC and well deck personnel held tours and walk-throughs to see how each ship conducts well-deck evolutions,” Vaas said. “This was the first time U.S. and JMSDF LCACs have recovered and launched from each others’ well decks. It was identifying the subtle differences that made the LCAC exercises run smoothly and successfully.”
Before getting underway, both ships exchanged three crewmembers for the exercise. Lt. j.g. Takeshi Yamaue of Ohsumi said he and Petty Officers Koichi Nakaishi and Yuaka Housra, were impressed with the capabilities of the Fort McHenry and the Sailors that serve on board.
“The hard work and dedication your Sailors have is very impressive,” said Nakaishi.
Ensign John Cobb, Ensign Alan Presley and Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SW) Robert Isham were sent to the Ohsumi for the personnel exchange.
During the exercise both ships conducted exercises and drills to familiarize each other with their capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or relief operation. In addition, LCACs from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 Detachment Western Pacific and JMSDF conducted communication drills, tactical maneuvers, and launch-and-recovery operations between the two transport ships.
“As a whole, the exercise has been outstanding, other than the fact that we had to abbreviate it because of the weather. We were still able to accomplish a lot of the familiarization and other training while in port. The cross deck and LCAC exercises were run very smooth and successfully and they were done safely and very professionally.” Vaas said.
USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) is a dock landing ship forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan as part of the Forward Deployed Amphibious Ready Group.
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