• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Teamwork Furthers USS Ford's Battle Readiness During SRA

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061107-09
Release Date: 11/7/2006 3:31:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Douglas G. Morrison, Northwest Region Fleet Public Affairs

EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- More than 50 Sailors assigned to USS Ford (FFG 54) boarded USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) Oct. 31 to conduct damage control drills.

Ford currently is undergoing a nine-week selected restricted availability (SRA) that started Sept. 22 and is scheduled to be completed in December.

“It’s important to conduct drills in order to maintain proficiency, even during a SRA,” said Lt. Anthony Massey, Ford’s damage control assistant. “If we don’t train, we risk losing knowledge.”

Throughout the SRA, Ford Sailors have preserved their skill levels by performing drills, which include combat system drills and anti-submarine warfare drills. The focus while the Ford Sailors were aboard Rodney M. Davis, however, was critical firefighting training.

“I think it is important to always be ready because we never know when we will have a real emergency,” said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Steven Reedus.

Similarities between the two frigates enabled Ford Sailors to continue plans for drilling on Rodney M. Davis until the SRA is completed. Both ships are Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigates, which have two General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine engines, making relevant scenario drills possible.

The frigates were designed as total warfare systems operating independently or as part of a carrier battle group. Aboard are highly skilled technicians required to operate, monitor, and maintain the high technology systems that allow the ship to meet demanding challenges of modern naval warfare with minimum human interface.

“Using a fully operational ship of the same class helps us prepare,” said Damage Controlman Fireman Anthony Futia. “We train like we fight.”

Sailors also commented on the camaraderie crew members have among ships homeported at Naval Station Everett.

“If we need something, they take care of us,” said Futia. “And if they need something, we take care of them.”

The SRA is a scheduled maintenance period designed to complete major overhauls to the ship, which include expanding the armory, a berthing overhaul, replacing cooling units, refurbishing vertical exterior ladders, and building a self-service laundry area.