Narwhal Ropes Torpedoes, Assists In SUBTORPEX
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060622-12
Release Date: 6/22/2006 1:40:00 PM
By Photographer's Mate Airman Dustin Kelling, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
ABOARD NARWHAL (NNS) -- Torpedo Weapons Retriever Narwhal (TWR 842) participated in a submarine torpedo exercise (SUBTORPEX) June 17 at the Southern California Offshore Range (SCORE) near San Clemente Island, Calif.
Narwhal Sailors conducted weapon and target recovery operations, said Senior Chief Quartermaster (SW) Jeffrey A. David, the ship’s craftmaster.
According to David, the ship’s role during the operation was to recover MK 40 non-explosive torpedoes fired by submarines involved in the exercise and to serve as a target.
The crew of 15 Sailors recovered four torpedoes by operating such rare equipment as a torpedo cage, which clamps onto the nose of the weapon using carbon dioxide pressure. The torpedoes were then roped and pulled onto the ship using a specially designed torpedo recovery chute, said David.
During the 72 hour exercise at sea, the crew completed seven training evolutions while on standby, and the ship was targeted by one of the training torpedoes launched by a submarine.
Rough weather can play a key factor in a SUBTORPEX operation. At times, the exercise can be cancelled due to foul weather. “We go to the range and if the seas are too high, we can’t recover the torpedoes. If they are low, we can do our job,” said David.
Narwhal is one of the last three TWR ships operated by the Navy, as the job is being shifted to civilian contract workers.
The most important factor contributing to mission accomplishment is the crew, said David. “The crew does all the work; they’re the ones that make this boat go.”
For more news from around the fleet, visit www.navy.mil.
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