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Boxer Drill Prepares For Newest Navy Test

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070126-15
Release Date: 1/26/2007 4:45:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman (SW) Brian Gaines, USS Boxer Public Affairs

USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Boxer (LHD 4) took steps to prepare for its upcoming Afloat Training Group (ATG) assessment with a general quarters drill (GQ) Jan. 23 simulating a shipwide mass conflagration.

This Unit Level Training Assessment-Sustainment (ULTRA-S) is the Navy’s newest way of assessing a ship’s ability to defend against an enemy attack and control the spread of damage.

The mass casualty drill replicated the effect of the ship hitting a mine, causing severe damage to the ship’s hull with flooding and several fires throughout the ship.

“The GQ that took place really showed us what our strengths and weaknesses are,” said Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) Leader Lt. Cmdr. Robert Saunders. “By evaluating ourselves we will be better prepared for emergency situations.”

The exercise was used to test the crew and assess their response. During the drill, repair parties worked together to fight fires, plug holes and prevent flooding. Boxer successfully contained the damage and will hold similar drills each week to gauge the crew’s capabilities.

The crew has also been preparing for the assessment by conducting training in firefighting, weapons defense, medical capabilities, self-defense and engineering casualty control.

Boxer also has an integrated training team (ITT) which it uses to combat multiple emergency situations and various scenarios at once.

“Every week, Boxer conducts an ITT drill,” said Cmdr. Richard Thiel, Boxer’s ITT leader. “The Force Protection Training Team also conducts daily training for all in-port duty sections. Medical [Department] integrates with all training teams to improve how they handle casualties and train the stretcher bearers and crew basic first-aid on a regular basis.”

Boxer tracks each drill using a data system to analyze the strengths and weaknesses which help develop future training scenarios.

“This system provides the leadership not only documentation of training, but also a look ahead,” said Thiel. “It shows us what drills we have not run that we should schedule and what is needed for the future.”

Many Boxer Sailors believe the extensive training and documentation help benefit the ship.

“By training more, we can be better prepared not only for ULTRA-S, but in the event of a real emergency,” said Damage Controlman 1st Class (SW/AW) Brian Quintana. “You can never be too prepared for an emergency.”

The ULTRA-S assessment is scheduled to take place later this year.

Boxer is the flagship for Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group (BOXESG) which is currently conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in support of U.S. 5th Fleet. MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander U.S. 5th Fleet’s area of responsibility encompasses about 7.5 million square miles and includes the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman and parts of the Indian Ocean. This expanse, comprised of 27 countries, includes three critical chokepoints at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.