Military

USS Thach Attends ATFP Training

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070127-09
Release Date: 1/27/2007 5:00:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Omar A. Dominquez, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Thach (FFG 43) Sailors participated in the anti-terrorism force protection (ATFP) tactics course at Afloat Training Group (ATG), Pacific at Naval Base San Diego Jan. 25.

The ATG course is designed to train the Fleet’s Force Protection teams on Rules of Engagement, hand-to-hand combat and non-lethal weapons.

“We teach empty hand control techniques, how to react during a hostage situation, operational risk management, and we also prepare for anti-terrorism combat,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW/AW) Tony Lorenzo Smith, ATG, Pacific.

Special emphasis is placed on instilling each ship’s training teams, special evolution teams, and watch teams to institutionalize the onboard capability to sustain and improve combat readiness.

“We train the Fleet’s Force Protection Training Teams on how to train their Force Protection watch standers on the use of force and deadly force,” said Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW/AW) Jason Andrew Ivelich, ATG, Pacific. “It’s a matter of force, from your basic verbal commands all the way up to deadly force and everything in between.”

The trainees go through stations at the end of the course using everything they learned, from using force to defending themselves, all after being sprayed with cayenne pepper spray (OC).

“It’s not just to let the trainees know it burns, but to prepare them on how to defend themselves in case the OC spray contaminates them, ” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Marcus Sanders, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6).

“You have to know how to react to certain situations, from having good people skills, to standing watch and vehicle search,” said Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SW/AW) Daniel Llamas, USS Thach (FFG 43). “That’s the thing with Force Protection, anything could happen and you have to be prepared to handle the situation. This training shows you how.”