• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Juneau Complete Emergency Defense of Amphibious Task Force Training

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070615-23
Release Date: 6/15/2007 4:09:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Michael Gomez, USS Juneau Public Affairs

USS JUNEAU, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed a successful Emergency Defense of Amphibious Task Force (EDATF) exercise June 2.

Amphibious Task Force units are sometimes required to transit or operate in a potential hostile environment without the benefits of adequate supporting forces. EDATF is an exercise that trains Sailors and Marines on emergency self defense procedures against surface threats.

“It was an overall successful training on the importance of communication between the gunner's mate, phone talkers and the bridge watch standers,” said Chief Gunner’s Mate Patrick T. Rabideau.

The training consisted of live-rounds firing from M240B machine guns, MK38 25 mm chain guns, .50-cal M2HBs.

Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Christopher Brower said it was a very effective drill.

"It trained us on tracking and responding to targets and also prepared us for live-fire scenarios,” said Brower.

Juneau was the second ship in the Essex Strike Group (ESG) to engage the inbound surface contact. Overall, Juneau was on target.

“We pretty much didn’t leave any target for the other ships to shoot at,” said Rabideau.

In support of environmental guidance, biodegradable targets were used during the EDATF training.

During the exercise, members of the 31st MEU positioned themselves in various locations on the ship to assist the fixed mounted weapon systems in the engagement of the targets.

According to Marine Lance Cpl. Alec S. Lyons, the MEU is a reaction team that assists, helps support the ship, and suppressed enemy fire.

“The EDATF training shows that we -- Navy and Marine Corps -- are prepared to work together in any situation and event that may arise,” said Lyons.

Juneau, commanded by Capt. John D. Alexander, is participating in Exercise Talisman Saber 07 a U.S.- and Australian-led Joint Task Force operation preparing the militaries for crisis action planning and execution of contingency operations. Talisman Saber is designed to maintain a high level of interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces, demonstrating their commitment to military alliance and regional security. The exercise also supports increased flexibility and readiness, which are force multipliers in winning the global war on terrorism.

Juneau is the only forward-deployed amphibious landing dock forward-deployed in Sasebo, Japan. Juneau serves Task Force 76, the Navy’s only forward-deployed amphibious force. Task Force 76 is headquartered at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan.