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USS Mesa Verde Earns Amphibious Warfare Certification

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080302-01
Release Date: 3/2/2008 8:17:00 AM

By Ensign Peter Downes, USS Mesa Verde Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- After weeks of hard training and preparation, the crew of USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) earned their Amphibious Warfare (AMW) Certification from commander, Naval Beach Group 2 on Feb. 1.

This was an important milestone for the crew, who are now one step closer to being fully certified in all warfare areas and being ready to deploy.

Mesa Verde earned the certification during an intense two-week underway period in late January where the crew was tested in all aspects of AMW, including launching and recovering various landing craft, conducting a stern gate marriage, towing, and guiding assault craft to the beach.

"Even though it was the first time for a lot of these folks, they looked like they had been doing this for years," said Ensign Corey Johnson, first division officer.

Mesa Verde is the third ship of the San Antonio Class, a highly capable and versatile amphibious warship capable of deploying hundreds of U.S. Marines and their equipment to any beach in the world.

These capabilities were demonstrated during the underway period when Mesa Verde recovered and launched a landing craft unit, multiple amphibious assault vehicles, a landing craft air cushion hovercraft, and other craft in day and night environments.

Successful amphibious operations require the entire crew to work in unison. The line handlers and well deck control officer must guide the craft into the well and secure it, the ballast detail must ballast and de-ballast the ship quickly and efficiently to ensure safe operations, and the bridge watch team must keep the ship steady while in restricted waters close to shore.

After two weeks of handling craft and the elements, Executive Officer, Cmdr. Jeff Oakey, said "What a great week, the crew worked superbly together to demonstrate how ready and able Mesa Verde is to support Marines and others in war and peace."

Mesa Verde was commissioned on Dec. 15, 2007 in Panama City, Fla., and is now homeported in Norfolk.

For more news from USS Mesa Verde, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/mesa/.