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New Containment System Aids Force Protection

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080512-11
Release Date: 5/12/2008 11:45:00 AM

By Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Daniel Hinton, Fleet Activities Sasebo Public Affairs

SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- Port operations Sailors and Japanese employees from Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) teamed up with Defense Department civilians from the Pacific Northwest to conduct a boat operation training exercise May 8.

The training exercise was centered on a new containment boom system, which will aid port security for the two basins. Conducting the training was a team from Commander, Navy Region Northwest.

With the new system comes new boats used to deploy the booms. The 25 foot Log Bronc, has different and tricky maneuvering system.

"It's a lot different than what most people have driven in their lives," said Kyle Giles, a Department of Defense civilian small boat operator.

Giles said many ports use barrier boats and it is important to have training on its different functions. While many CFAS Sailors and Japanese employees had never operated a vessel similar to the new Log Broncs, Giles gave them a thumbs up and said they picked up the new system as well as anyone could expect them to.

"If they continue to practice with the boats and just get "sea time" operating them, most of these guys should have it down within a couple months," he said.

Readily accepting the challenge to learn a new system, many of the participants are looking forward to being fully certified to operate the new boats.

"The boats we have now are good but they are not as capable as the one we trained in today," said Boatswains Mate 2nd Class Gregory Starks, CFAS Port Operations. "The old boats we have take more time to maneuver but with these boats we can get there on a dime."

The training the Sailors received not only provides an additional force protection measure, if needed, but will carry on to their next command.

"I feel that I learned a lot these past couple of days," said Starks. "Now when I'm stationed somewhere else I can say I'm ready to go. I've done this before."

For more news from Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo, visit www.navy.mil/local/cfas/.