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USS Harpers Ferry Polishes Amphibious Readiness Skills

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070131-03
Release Date: 1/31/2007 11:45:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mark Alvarez, USS Harpers Ferry Public Affairs

OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) completed Amphibious Specialty Training (AST) with Amphibious Assault Vehicle launch and recovery exercises Jan. 29.

AST is a course of training maneuvers, which was held off the coast of Sasebo and Okinawa, for well deck operations. Harpers Ferry Sailors launched and recovered a number of amphibious vehicles under a variety of different circumstances.

For this training, Harpers Ferry embarked vehicle assets from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 Western Pacific, Beach Master Unit (BMU) 1 and ACU 1. With the use of the craft from these detachments, Harpers Ferry Sailors were able to further enhance their amphibious operations capabilities.

“Deck Department and the ship’s Combat Information Center demonstrated their ability to launch, recover, and land ashore, every craft that can carry Marines to the beach,” said Harpers Ferry Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Kevin P. Meyers. “AST hones our skills and enhances our operational readiness, making this a great training experience for the officers and crew.”

Due to the high operational tempo of forward deployed Harpers Ferry, these exercises are nothing new.

“Over here, Harpers Ferry Sailors are already proficient to start with. This is just a tune up, this isn’t [starting at] ground zero like in the states,” said, Expeditionary Strike Group 7 staff boatswain, Chief Warrant Officer John E. Reilly.

During AST, Harpers Ferry Sailors performed several stern gate marriages, which involve linking landing craft units to the stern gate of the ship to facilitate faster onloading and offloading of troops, equipment, and supplies. Harpers Ferry also practiced launching and recovering landing craft air cushioned (LCAC) vehicles and landing amphibious recovery craft (LARC) from its well deck.

“Most ships that do AST in the states go for almost two years without a deployment," said ACU 5 Officer in Charge, Chief Warrant Officer Joseph G. Valdez. "In two years the beach group has nothing to do with the ship, and then 180 days out from the deployment, they attach and do the training. But this ship is operating at the advanced level where AST is simply a chance to show off Harpers Ferry’s ability to perform these operations.”

Harpers Ferry’s AST marks the end of a rigorous training period where Sailors prepared for and executed Unit Level Training and Readiness Assessment Sustainment, or ULTRA S, immediately before AST. Harpers Ferry was able to meet both challenges with success.

Harpers Ferry is part of the Navy’s forward-deployed amphibious force serving under Commander, Task Force 76. Task Force 76, is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa with an operating detachment in Sasebo.