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NBG Incorporates Beach Operations Into Field Exercises

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061030-06
Release Date: 10/30/2006 3:58:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daniel A. Barker, Fleet Public Affairs Center Pacific

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (NNS) -- Active and Reserve Sailors from Beach Master Unit 1 worked with assault craft units (ACU) to develop their abilities to move personnel and materials to and from a ‘hostile’ beach during the annual Naval Beach Group (NBG) Field Exercise, Oct. 14-27 at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

This was the first year shorefront boat operations were included as part of the NBG training exercise. This added area of responsibility required land and sea units to train together and coordinate their efforts to achieve mission objectives.

“Learning how to work together is one of the most important parts of this training. One big team, instead of a bunch of little teams,” said Senior Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician Paul Erekson, the craft master aboard Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 61, part of ACU 5.

The scenarios were designed to simulate real life situations, such as what occurred this summer in Lebanon when several thousand Americans were evacuated by ships, and in late July, when LCACs helped deliver and pick up firefighting equipment on Catalina Island, Calif., during a fire there.

“The world events that are unfolding all around us right now just heighten the need for us to do this kind of training. This is always a critical part of our mission,” said Capt. Keith Hamilton, commanding officer, Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) 1. “As you look at what’s going on around the world, you certainly see many scenarios where we could be called on to perform this mission.”

The training goals of the exercise included reliable sea-to-shore communications, maintaining a beach landing zone and its defensive perimeter, and safely loading and evacuating personnel using the LCAC.

Heavy fog and surf added to the challenges these Sailors may have to face in a real-world beach operation.

“Despite the weather, I was very excited by our mission in this exercise,” said Gas Turbine System Mechanic 3rd Class (SW) Kurt Calligan, deck engineer attached to ACU 5. “It put me in a practical situation, I found myself prepared, and it enhanced my on-job experience.”