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Curtis Wilbur Kicks Off Balikatan

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060228-09
Release Date: 2/28/2006 1:08:00 PM

By Ensign Sara Dial, USS Curtis Wilbur Public Affairs

SIBUYAN SEA (NNS) -- A maritime interception operations (MIO) training event kicked off Exercise Balikatan ’06, a combined exercise between the United States and the Republic of the Phillipines, Feb. 17.

Twenty-three Filipino sailors from the frigates BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS 37) and BRP Rizal (PS 74) came aboard USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) and joined their counterparts for training on visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) tactics and procedures. The training is vital to both navies and is integral to fighting the global war on terrorism.

The event started with classroom instruction on the fundamentals and procedures associated with MIO and VBSS. The Sailors then conducted demonstrations of the proper use of equipment and hands-on training of the tactics learned in the classroom. The final portion of the training was a simulated boarding of Curtis Wilbur, which was posing as a suspect vessel.

Lt. Cmdr. Elson Tayko, operations officer aboard Rizal, participated and was impressed by the event.

“While we have conducted missions like MIO and VBSS in the past, this is the first time we have seen such advanced equipment, tactics and procedures. We are really trying to take it all in and analyze the U.S. Navy’s approach to these missions in order to implement and use them within our navy,” he said.

Balikatan ’06 is the 22nd annual exercise in the series and the exercise title itself means, “shouldering the load together.” Its aim is to further develop the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in crisis action planning, enhancing its ability to effectively conduct counter-terrorism operations, and promote interoperability between the two navies. The exercise also emphasizes the cooperation and execution of humanitarian and civic assistance. MIO and VBSS were new additions to this year’s exercise.

“It’s always interesting to work with foreign navies,” said Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Chris Cochran (SW), one of Curtis Wilbur's VBSS team members.

“With the Philippine Navy Sailors we got the chance to train with, they quickly mastered the skills we taught them. Our guys showed them the techniques we use to do a boarding, but in the end, the actual practice boarding between the two teams was seamless.”

Other U.S. Navy ships participating in the exercise include the forward deployed USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Juneau (LPD 10) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 43).

Operating out of Yokosuka, Japan, Curtis Wilbur is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Strike Group.