Anti-Submarine Warfare Division Demonstrates Expertise
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060613-10
Release Date: 6/13/2006 4:11:00 PM
By Lt. Lesley Lykins, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic
USS THE SULLIVANS, At Sea (NNS) -- The Anti-Submarine Warfare division, or CA division, aboard USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) demonstrated its knowledge and efficiency during training scenarios conducted June 10, while transiting the Atlantic Ocean.
Neptune Warrior is a course designed and run by the Joint Maritime Operational Training Staff (JMOTS) Northwood in the United Kingdom. It is designed to improve interoperability between allied navies, as well as to prepare the participants for a role in a Coalition Joint Task Force during upcoming deployments.
“ASW (anti-submarine warfare) is an art form, so you have to continue to do it or you’ll lose your edge,” said Cmdr. Anthony J. Parisi, The Sullivans commanding officer. He stressed CA division’s talent and experience, noting that they had already completed numerous live exercises over the past year and would use the Neptune Warrior course to refine their skill.
“They’re going to learn how to find the submarine quicker and they’re going to learn how to put weapons on top of it quicker,” said Parisi. “They’ve already mastered that, but we’re going to refine those skills.”
The division will have the opportunity to observe how other nations conduct their anti-submarine operations, while having the opportunity to work with foreign submarines. They expect to face a relatively small language barrier and anticipate that the other allied nations will train with different procedures and tactics.
“Utilizing the different procedure and tactics with other nations makes it more enjoyable and interesting,” said Chief Sonar Technician (SW) Tony Goulet, leading chief petty officer for CA division. Goulet expects that the team will rise to the challenges during this course and benefit from the additional training. “We have just been able to come together as a very cohesive team where we are very flexible in our abilities and utilizing our systems to the maximum capabilities. The attitude here is very strong to maintain a top-notch level.”
CA division’s Sailors are looking to improve their own individual knowledge and experience during the Neptune Warrior course.
“I want to take away basic knowledge of rate, improving my attention to detail, classifying submarines, and ensuring that our system has the best set up for the environmentals,” said Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SW) David Korte.
Sonar Technician Seaman Joseph Kapelar was looking for a challenge when he chose his rate and has now been aboard for two months.
“I’ve learned quite a bit here," he said. "This is much more hands on, and I get a better feel for the information then reading it in books.”
Kapelar is looking forward to increasing his level of experience and knowledge.
“My main goal is to get qualified in all of the sonar watch station,” said Kapelar. “I’ll focus on what I should look for while on watch and am excited to see new types of submarines.”
The team will also strive to maintain their waterfront reputation. The Sullivans recently participated in both the Southeastern Anti-Submarine Warfare Integrated Training Initiative (SEA SWITI) and the Submarine Commander’s Course (SCC). These exercises gave the division a real-world opportunity to practice and test their prior training.
“The Navy doesn’t focus on ASW a lot and they expect you to be 100 percent when it does come time,” said Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SW) Joseph Cowan. “We hope that during Neptune Warrior, we demonstrate that we are serious about ASW and that we know what we are doing. It is also interested to see if other countries are at the same level of training.”
USS The Sullivans is based in Mayport, Fla., and will deploy later this year.
For related news, visit the Destroyer Squadron 24 Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/desron24/.
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