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U.S., Canada Strive for ASW Excellence

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060418-05
Release Date: 4/18/2006 11:15:00 AM

By Photographer’s Mate Airman James A. Seward, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

ABOARD USS PRINCETON (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) returned to San Diego April 10 after a two-week underway period to conduct shipboard qualifications at sea and also strengthen anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission effectiveness between U.S. and Canadian naval forces.

Princeton participated in ASW exercises with the Canadian Destroyer HMCS Algonquin (DDG 283) off the coast of Washington state, March 30 and April 5.

“Conducting ASW exercises with our counterparts is vital to improving fleet proficiency,” said Ensign Kelly Craft, ASW officer aboard Princeton.

During the two exercises, Princeton engaged in ASW track and attack missions with Algonquin and a Canadian CP-140, maritime patrol aircraft. On the first day, Princeton released an Expendable Mobile Acoustic Training Target (EMATT), which the two ships then searched for and tracked. Later in the week, Princeton took control of a Canadian CP-140 Aurora, Canada’s long-range patrol aircraft, and directed it to drop sonobuoys into the water to jointly track another EMATT.

According to Craft, practicing allied operations helps military counterparts become more efficient as a team.

“The submarine threat is on the rise,” said Craft. “Strengthening ASW capabilities ensures the Navy’s success in future conflicts.”

Princeton features the AN/SQQ 89 (V) 12 Surface Ship ASW Combat System, which makes the AEGIS-class cruiser exceptionally well equipped for anti-submarine warfare.