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Essex Welcomes Philippine Helos

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061025-03
Release Date: 10/25/2006 9:58:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/PJ) Michael Kennedy, USS Essex Public Affairs

ABOARD ESSEX, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Essex (LHD 2) provided the platform for the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ (AFP) pilots from Multipurpose Helicopter Squadron (HM) 40, Naval Air Group, Philippine Naval Base Cavite, to hone their flying skills with deck landing qualifications (DLQs) and high angle sniping Oct. 20.

Essex, the U.S. Navy’s only forward deployed amphibious assault ship, is in the Republic of Philippines area of operation participating in bilateral exercises, Exercise Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) FY 07, with the AFP.

“It was an excellent training opportunity for the Navy and Marine Corps to show our host nation that we are 'team players' on the national level,” said Ensign Jitindra Sirjoo, aircraft handling officer for Essex.
"The Philippine pilots were outstanding in landing and departing from Essex. They were very proficient and safe. Being the Essex’s aircraft handling officer, that it very important to me, because once they land and then deck, they are my responsibility no matter what country they fly for. They are welcome here anytime.”

Philippine Navy Aircraft Commander, Lt. j.g. Denz Jolom, said participating in the exercises helps both countries.

“This is my fifth time working with the U.S. Navy, and it is always great because we learn so much from each other,” he said.

Other Filipino pilots noted that by working with Essex, they had more training space to work from.

“This is a larger platform than we normally work with. We have mostly older LSDs [dock landing ships] that provide a 40-foot by 40-foot landing area. The extra area on Essex’ flight deck brings up the comfort level while doing the DLQs,” said Philippine Navy pilot, Lt. j.g. Jun Taborlupa.

He continued saying he is taking advantage of these learning opportunities.

“These exercises give us an opportunity to learn and become familiar with U.S. Navy flight operation procedures, so we can better anticipate the minor differences between your procedures and ours during a real mission,” Taborlupa said. “But the high angle sniping was the best part of this exercise.”

In addition to the landing qualifications drills for the pilots, members of the Philippine naval special operations group (NAVSOG) navy Sea, Air, Land (SEALs) got the opportunity work with the U.S Marine Special Operations Training Group (SOTG) of the III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) to improve their skills at high angle sniping.

This technique involves shooting at a target from a hovering helicopter with a scoped sniper rifle. It is used to secure a ship during boarding operation when there is a degree of risk or hostile activity.

Philippine Navy SEAL Seaman 1st Class Chris Amido said it was his first time shooting from a helicopter.

“This was my first time practicing this method of sniping," he said. "Shooting from a helicopter is difficult because not only does the sniper have to be accurate, but the pilot has to be doing his job perfectly also.”

The SEALs noted that sniping from a helicopter takes an extra bit of precision, thus the training was helpful.

“A failure of any small item will cause a missed shot. The pilot and sniper have to work very close together, but this method is very useful if properly employed,” said another Philippine Navy SEAL sniper, Petty Officer Julius Escalania.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Nicholas Saroka, an instructor with the Marine Special Operations Training Group, said he was impressed with the high level of shooting from the Philippine snipers.

“Shooting a floating target from a helicopter is no easy trick. It was great helping them improve their skills, and I learned quite a few things myself,” he said.

While the training was helpful, AFP members were just glad to work side by side with their American counterparts and strengthen relations with them.

“As well as the operational training, I think the personal and professional ties that are formed are the most important thing that comes from exercises such as these,” added Jolom.

Essex is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious assault ship and is the flagship for the Sasebo, Japan-based Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which serves under Commander, Task Force 76. Task Force 76 is the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force and is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, with an operating detachment in Sasebo, Japan.