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Boxer Trains Makin Island Sailors

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080215-25
Release Date: 2/15/2008 6:39:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tiffani Paredes, USS Boxer Public Affairs

USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Boxer (LHD 4) hosted Sailors from Pre-Commissioning Detachment Makin Island (LHD 8) while underway for its Unit Level Training Assessment-Certification (ULTRA-C) off the coast of Southern California Feb. 12-14.

The underway aboard Boxer gave Sailors an opportunity to become familiar with the layout and capabilities of Wasp-class amphibious assault ships while construction of Makin Island is near completion in Mississippi.

For more than a year, Boxer has provided on-the-job training for Makin Island Sailors both underway and in port. If a Makin Island Sailor has no school or temporarily assigned duty elsewhere, they can request training time within their respective Boxer departments. In addition to ship familiarization, Makin Island Sailors can observe drills and complete qualifications.

Among the ship riders was (Dr.) Lt. David Proum, Makin Island senior medical officer, who was underway for his first time. He said he plans to share lessons learned from Boxer's ULTRA-C inspection with Makin Island in hopes that they will perform well during their own assessment.

"It's really important for me to be able to observe the ULTRA-C because the Medical Department is a very big component in ULTRA," explained Proum. "I wanted to make sure I got a firsthand observation of how it's run."

Hands-on experience was also an incentive of the underway for Makin Island Sailors. They worked on equipment alongside their Boxer counterparts and even served as mass casualties during drills. The exchange not only provided Makin Island with well-rounded training, it also lent Boxer a helping hand. Many of its Sailors aided in the ULTRA-C evolutions. Overall, the joint effort encouraged innovation, teamwork and mentorship.

"The Sailors on Boxer are proud of a lot of the things they do and what they've accomplished, and they like to share that," said Boxer's Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Ray Burrhus. "It's great for everybody involved."

Senior leadership at Makin Island will continue sending their Sailors to train aboard Boxer until Makin Island is delivered to the Navy. They consider Boxer one of their most reliable training platforms because it has the space and capabilities to house a large number of additional personnel.

"The Boxer is a very receptive command," said Proum. "Our [Sailors] have had good experiences. I really enjoy that camaraderie."

Boxer is scheduled for another underway in late February to accomplish further levels of the ULTRA series.

For more news from USS Boxer, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd4/.