Boxer's Aviation Ordnancemen Arm Dubuque
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060726-09
Release Date: 7/26/2006 12:49:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Bartels, USS Boxer Public Affairs
USS DUBUQUE, At Sea (NNS) -- Members of USS Boxer’s (LHD 4) fly-away rocket building team traveled to USS Dubuque (LPD 8) to help arm a UH-1N Huey and several AH-1W Super Cobras of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (MEU) Aviation Combat Element (ACE) July 17-21 during their Composite Training Unit Exercise off the coast of Southern California.
The team, made up of aviation ordnancemen (AO), built 2.75 Mighty Mouse rockets with training warheads to support ACE’s training. The team is designed to support smaller-class ships that do not have personnel trained to build rockets.
During their four-day visit, the team built more than 400 Mighty Mouse multipurpose rockets. Each day, the team sealed themselves in an ammo locker to prevent any active electronic signals that could accidentally discharge the rockets. The team remained inside the locker until the quota of rockets for the next day's missions were met. At the end of each day, the rockets were given to ACE ordnance personnel to arm the four Cobras and one Huey.
The rockets consist of a non-guided motor and a variety of warheads that include illumination, target marking, anti-personnel, close air support, white phosphorous, high explosive, flare, flechete and training rounds. After the warhead is attached to the motor, the rocket is inserted into a 7- or 19-shot firing pod that can be used as a fully-automatic or single-shot weapon.
“The reason for these fly-away teams is so that the Navy has the ability to send ships in different directions and still maintain the same strike capability,” said Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Gary Church, Boxer’s Combat Systems Department leading chief petty officer. “The teams that we send to arm other ships receive training that is second to none. It has to be - rockets are some of the most dangerous things we deal with in our job.”
Fly-away team members receive more than five months of extensive rocket building training before being allowed to join the team.
“This is an excellent opportunity to put all the training I’ve received to use in a real-time combat situation,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Joe Castaneda, a member of the team. “This experience is also a great chance to learn how the different ordnance-related jobs on smaller ships operate.”
During the visit, the team also took the opportunity to exchange ideas and knowledge with Dubuque gunner’s mates and fire controlmen.
“Having Boxer’s AOs on board is an excellent opportunity for my people to get some cross training,” said Ensign Ava Benitez, Dubuque’s weapons officer. “We go through many of the same inspections as Boxer, so it’s nice to have such technical experts to help us prepare.”
Boxer, Dubuque and 15th MEU, members of Expeditionary Strike Group 5, are preparing for their upcoming Western Pacific deployment.
For related news, visit the USS Boxer (LHD 4) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd4/.
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