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Naval Coastal Warfare Sailors Take Part in Joint Disaster Relief Exercise

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060629-01
Release Date: 6/29/2006 9:24:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class Barrie Barber, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

FORT STORY, Va (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron 4 (NCWS 4), the first active-duty unit of its kind on the Atlantic Coast, participated in a joint exercise, which ended June 22, marking the first time Navy Expeditionary Combat Command-related units practiced anti-terrorism and force protection (AT/FP) support with a joint commander.

In January, the Navy created the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, which brought Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Naval Coastal Warfare, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support functions, Riverine forces and the Seabees under one umbrella. NECC integrates all warfighting requirements for expeditionary combat and combat support elements. This transformation allows for standardized training, manning and equipping of Sailors who will participate in the global war on terrorism as part of the joint force.

The exercise, known as DELMAR/Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) began June 5 at Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Va., and included active-duty and reserve service members from various Navy and Army commands. The U.S. Army Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) organized the exercise. During the exercise scenario, these units worked together to provide humanitarian assistance to an area devastated by a simulated natural disaster. The skills gained during the exercise could be employed if a terrorist attack disrupts existing port facilities.

NCWS 4 Sailors provided AT/FP protection for the ships and cargo handlers responsible for getting food, water and medical supplies to those impacted by the simulated natural disaster. Sailors manning beachfront radar encampments and armed patrol boats with NCWS 4’s Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit (MIUWU) 401 and its Inshore Boat Units (IBU) 41 and 42 patrolled Fort Story’s coastline and beyond to ward off potential terrorist threats during the exercise this month.

The MIUWU man radar encampments on the beach to keep an eye on what’s happening.

The Inshore Boat Units operate 34-foot, twin-engined patrol boats. The five-man crew vessels carry mounted automatic weapons and a grenade launcher.

“MIUWUs are the eyes, and the boats are the teeth,” said Lt. j.g. Brian Hamlett, assistant officer in charge of IBU 42.

The surveillance and patrol Sailors' exercised their capabilities, which in real world missions are key components of the Navy's planning against terrorist attacks. Naval coastal warfare forces can spot targets onshore, under the sea and on the surface while defending ships off loading cargo. In addition, they can intercept potential trouble headed for land.

“We haven’t had a repeat of the [USS] Cole (DDG 67) [terrorist attack in 2000], so I think that’s a measure of its effectiveness,” said Command Master Chief (EOD/SW) Tony Santino, of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, headquartered at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va. “They’re providing that harbor defense to keep that Jet Ski or enemy boat from ramming a ship.”

Although this was a disaster relief-related exercise that emphasised the interoperability of NCW units, the skills these Sailors honed during the exercise will benefit them during real-world missions. NCW squadrons, part of the littoral sea power of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, are protecting ports and oil platforms in the North Persian Gulf and are an integral component of the region’s maritime security operations, with the ultimate aim of denying illegal use of the maritime environment

Since the end of the Vietnam War, up until the terrorist attack on Cole, NCW was manned by reserve units on active duty, but the role of active-duty Sailors within this community has expanded rapidly. The strategic value of NCW also prompted the creation of two new NCW squadrons, manned entirely by active-duty Sailors.

For Sailors who've only known blue-water operations, the brown-water Navy is a unique experience. “This is a new responsibility for a lot of these Sailors,” said Lt. Cmdr. Phil Branch, officer in charge of MIUWU 401. “They’ve never been this close to the action.”

Although new to many, Sailors say they get satisfaction out of accomplishing the NCW mission.

“It’s something I never did before,” said Constructionman 1st Class John Iglodi, who served as a Seabee before joining an IBU 42 boat crew. “It’s a real-world mission that we’re supporting.”

Other NECC units taking part in the exercise included Maritime Security Squadron 6; Underwater Construction Teams 1 and 2 and Naval Cargo Handling Battalions 1 and 14.

Leaders believe DELMAR/JLOTS is integral to the nation’s readiness and the military's force projection capability. This exercise has application across the full spectrum of military operations, from humanitarian assistance to combat operations. Specifically, it enables delivery of combat troops, support personnel and/or supplies anywhere in the world. It also allows access, even when ports are damaged, degraded or denied; and augments traditional port operations by providing increased capacity.

Logistics over-the-shore operations have most recently been used in Operation Iraqi Freedom to increase port throughput in Kuwait and to support tsunami relief in Indonesia.