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BHR Certifies in Anti-terrorism/Force Protection Six Weeks Early

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060426-18
Release Date: 4/26/2006 6:00:00 PM

By Photographer’s Mate Airman Mark Patterson II, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Multipurpose Amphibious Assault Ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) was certified for anti-terrorism and force protection (AT/FP) qualification six weeks early, April 18.

“AT/FP certification is not the end of a training cycle but rather the beginning of a continuous training process here on board BHR,” said BHR Commanding Officer Capt. Steve Greene. “We continue to train to ensure that we stay ready. In this age of terrorism and asymmetric warfare, AT/FP has never been more important for our Navy, and our Sailors will continue to train to ensure BHR remains a hard target.”

AT/FP certification consists of a day and a half of force protection drills to grade the ship's ability to withstand land-based, waterborne and airborne terrorist attacks. The ship's duty sections collapsed to three duty sections in order to simulate an overseas port environment.

During the assessment, Afloat Training Group (ATG) judged BHR Sailors' ability to detect, deter, and defend against the threats that were presented, including vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, ship intrusion leading to a hostage situation, small boat attacks, and swimmer attacks.

In preparation for AT/FP certification, the Force Protection Training Team held training during duty days to ensure that the ship’s crew had the proper level of knowledge needed to succeed. As well as attending weekly training, BHR crew members were required to attend weapons qualifications and low-light gun shoots.

"We not only require the crew of the BHR to learn the basic elements of AT/FP (to detect, deter, and defend against the asymmetric threats)," said BHR Security Officer and Force Protection Officer Ensign Marco Vides, "but we also instill in them a 'hard target' mentality."

Overall, BHR earned a score of 94 percent, passing 14 out of 15 drills.

“It has been a pleasure and an honor to train with the Sailors of the BHR,” said ATG Assessor, Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW/SCW) Carlos Aguillon. “I wish all ships could be this easy.”

BHR is currently operating off the coast of Southern California, training to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations at sea.