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Iwo Jima ESG Trains At Sea

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060218-03
Release Date: 2/19/2006 6:10:00 AM

By Lt. Karen E. Eifert, Commander, Amphibious Squadron 4 Public Affairs

USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- Five ships, one submarine and nearly 3,500 Sailors and Marines from the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) successfully completed their ESG Integrated Training (ESGINT) exercises, Feb. 14, while operating in Onslow Bay, N.C.

ESGINT is the first of three pre-deployment exercises designed to test fundamental capabilities and shipboard interoperability between the strike group vessels and Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) 24, in preparation for the role the ESG will play in fighting the global war on terrorism.

“During this underway, we demonstrated how the MEU’s integration with the Iwo Jima Strike Group (ISG) makes the ESG a very flexible and scalable force that can accomplish a wide range of missions," said Capt. Sinclair Harris, Iwo Jima's strike group commander. "We also got a feel for the immense combat power we have in this ESG. Marine training augmented Sailor training and vise versa. ESGINT was a crucial period for forging the entire ESG into the cohesive fighting team necessary to ensure a successful deployment.”

The first-rate underway period began with Iwo Jima completing basic unit level training, where members of the Afloat Training Group (ATG) boarded the amphibious assault vessel to test the vessel’s damage control, medical, intelligence, combat operations, and seamanship systems, as well as the crew’s ability to train themselves during their final evaluation problem (FEP). FEP, an exercise normally completed months before ESGINT, was delayed for the Iwo Jima due to the role the ship played in the relief efforts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The ATG determined the crew able to train themselves effectively, with Sailors demonstrating such superior performance throughout the visit that the ATG concluded its visit a day in advance.

Damage Control Assistant (DCA), Lt. Cmdr. Eric Covington, said he was impressed with the way the 37-man DCA team headed by Iwo Jima Executive Officer Cmdr. Mark Sakaguchi handled themselves when a simulated missile blew a hole into the rear of the ship.

Covington, who has witnessed several FEP’s in his 12-year career, said he was also impressed the ship earned its FEP qualification early.

“This was a fairly significant accomplishment,” Covington said. “Completing FEP a day early doesn’t happen too often.”

As part of the multi-ship exercises conducted during the eight days of ESGINT, USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), and USS Nashville (LPD 13) worked alongside Iwo Jima conducting a series of readiness exercises to include landing craft air cushion (LCAC) operations, day and night flight operations, Tomahawk missile strikes, anti-submarine warfare, force protection drills using small boats, and beachside exercises with the Marines.

Especially notable were the extensive roles the nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 760) and assets from Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 played throughout the strike group exercises. Together, the two provided very realistic and useful training for all the participants that not only demonstrated the versatility of the strike group, but also its ability to respond to today’s global issues with sustained independent operation.

During ESGINT, Harris also demonstrated his commitment to ensuring the success of the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) teams. After flying from Iwo Jima to Cole, Bulkeley, and Nashville to observe ongoing training exercises, Harris met with and motivated each individual VBSS team. He reaffirmed the VBSS’s mission and his expectations of the VBSS teams.

The commodore also inquired into the team’s vigorous physical training program, and allowed them the opportunity to ask mission-related questions. He concluded his meeting with the VBSS teams, reminding them of their responsibility to adhere to the rules of engagement and prevent at-sea altercations, not cause them.

“When you board these vessels, it is up to you to win the hearts and minds of these people,” Harris said. “In many instances, you will be the only experience with an American many of them will have.”

The Iwo Jima ESG is comprised of Whidbey Island, Iwo Jima, Nashville, Albuquerque, Cole, Bulkeley, USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and MEU 24. Philippine Sea did not participate in ESGINT due to her participation in other training exercises.