Military

PHIBRON 5 Assesses Comstock, Dubuque Training Teams

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070517-06
Release Date: 5/17/2007 9:55:00 AM

By Lt. Jonathan Shannon, Amphibious Squadron 5 Public Affairs

USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) -- Several Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5 staff members conducted an Immediate Superior in Command Training Visit (ITV) aboard USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and USS Comstock (LSD 45) from April 18-23 to assess each ship’s ability to train its crew and to validate overall training plans.

During the visit, PHIBRON 5 evaluated a variety of shipboard drills including man overboard, medical casualty and a Total Ship Survivability Exercise which is used to evaluate how well a ship integrates its warfighting and damage control capabilities in an event driven scenario.

The ITV was conducted to help prepare Dubuque and Comstock for their Unit Level Training Assessment-Sustainment (ULTRA-S) scheduled for later this year. The ULTRA-S series is part of the Navy’s Fleet Readiness Training Plan, which helps keep ships battle-ready.

“The visit validated the continuous training conducted throughout the deployment, as the crews demonstrated a high level of expertise and knowledge,” said Lt. Austin Johnson, a PHIBRON 5 training team member. He added both ships were enthusiastic and receptive to the training.

Comstock and Dubuque are currently heading to their homeport of San Diego after conducting maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf.

“The ability of each ship to execute an ULTRA-S type assessment will pay invaluable dividends during their upcoming training cycles,” added ITV Team member Lt. Cmdr. Bob Jones.