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Kearsarge Completes Unprecedented ULTRA C & E Certification in One Week

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080516-05
Release Date: 5/16/2008 2:54:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Emmitt Hawks, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) successfully completed the Unit Level Training Assessment (ULTRA) Certification/Engineering from April 30 through May 2.

During this underway period, members of Afloat Training Group (ATG) Atlantic were aboard to evaluate the ship's crew for two intense days of drill scenarios. The ship's crew demonstrated their ability to effectively fight damage control drills during complex scenarios, control engineering casualties and combat simulated enemy attacks against the ship.

"The ship's crew has been receptive to the recommendations and input from our group," said Senior Chief Fire Control Technician (SW/AW) Terry Beddow, ATG team leader. "The crew's success is attributed to their positive attitude and willingness to do what it takes to ensure they integrate with all the training teams."

The certification period is an opportunity for ATG to see first hand how the ship's crew self assess across multiple warfare areas. The drill scenarios provide a real-time training environment for the ship's crew.

"The USS Kearsarge is without question on par with the fleet," said Chief Electronics Technician (SW) William Dowe, ATG team member. "With these continuous certification requirements, it is important for the ship's crew to be able to self asses across multiple warfare areas. The crew has a lot of energy and is motivated to train."

The ship's crew fought simulated damage control drills such as personal casualties, white smoke, toxic gas, electrical fires, and oil spills, in addition to engineering drills in loss of power and pump failures, culminating in a successful main space fire drill.

"The Sailors are motivated," said Chief Machinery Repairman (SW/AW) Keith Jones, 5A repair locker leader. "The drills are intense with so many different scenarios to keep up with; I encourage the Sailors to move expeditiously, be safe, use good judgment and achieve the training objectives."

Damage control drills are designed to challenge the fire parties with multiple casualty scenarios. The drill scenarios then become more challenging by adding simulated attacks against the ship.

The combat team also excelled in the scenarios and maximized the training opportunity. The team properly identified and assessed threats, executed pre-planned responses, and properly reported in a multi-warfare environment, said Chief Operations Specialist (SW/AW) Michael Singleton.

"The simulated attack scenarios are definitely not easy," said Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW) Cleveland Jackson. "We are simulating four different scenarios; chemical attack, torpedo and missile attack, small boat attack, and man overboard drill. It takes a strong team work ethic when you're coping with long hours and tough exercises to be successful. The Kearsarge team mentality is why we are certified."

The ship's crew completed the training objectives and secured the certification for Kearsarge in both ULTRA C and E.

"I am extremely proud of the crew and all their effort through this certification," said Capt. James Gregorski, commanding officer of Kearsarge. "The drills were very intense and the ship's crew met every challenge as a team; after weeks of constant preparation completing ULTRA C and E in two days is unprecedented."

For more news from USS Kearsarge, visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd3/.