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U.S., Romanian Navies Train Together

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080305-01
Release Date: 3/5/2008 8:40:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Chris Henry, 6th Fleet Public Affairs

CONSTANTA, Romania (NNS) -- Sailors and pilots aboard USS San Jacinto (CG-56) trained with Romanian Navy helicopter pilots during a port visit in Constanta, Feb. 22, as part of the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe strategic objective to improve maritime safety and security in Europe and Africa.

"Our helicopter aviation program is just beginning and we are interested to learn from other countries and their experiences," said Romanian helicopter pilot Lt. j.g. Ursescu Ionut.

Training aboard the ship covered several areas of shipboard helicopter operations including search and rescue, salvage and recovery and aircraft firefighting techniques aboard a ship, but also focused on increasing interoperability and information sharing practices between the two navies.

"Training the Romanian Navy and other nations in the Black Sea strengthens our partnerships with these countries," said Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 1st Class (AW/SW/NAC) Brian Trippett. "The stronger our allies are, the stronger we are."

Sailors from San Jacinto provided classroom instruction to the Romanian pilots, familiarizing them with U.S. Navy firefighting and damage control equipment.

Members from the ship's crash and salvage team also performed a simulated aircraft firefighting drill on the flight deck during the training.

"This is an excellent way to open communications between our countries," said Damage Controlman 1st Class Gerardo Camarillo, a member of the ship's crash and salvage team. "Training with other navies, we can share knowledge and experience, making stronger international partners."

San Jacinto is operating in the Black Sea as part of a larger international team effort to improve maritime safety and security for a region free of trans-national threats built on cooperative security that uses existing political-military constructs.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe -Commander, 6th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/naveur/.