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United Kingdom Ministry of Defense Visits Kearsarge

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080519-09
Release Date: 5/19/2008 10:28:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class William S. Parker, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Four United Kingdom Ministry of Defense (MoD) civilians, sponsored by Naval Sea Systems Command visited the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), as part of a larger official visit as a guest of Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command on May 7.

Matthew Williamson, the lead naval architect for the Type 45 Program Office (MoD), Catherine Ingram, (MoD), Sarah Cole, (MoD), and Douglas Ira, LHA 6 ship design manager and escort, toured Kearsarge to gain architectural information on an LHD-class ship.

"We have a good idea of the structural design and capabilities of the Kearsarge, but so many things on the ship are quite different compared to a British ship even down to the U.S. salute," said Williamson.

The group also compared the ship's capabilities and departmental integration with those of the Royal Navy.

"It was interesting to see how the ship works as a team from department to department," said Ingram. "Not only did we get to see the interior modifications of the ship but the departmental structures as well."

The group took a tour of the ships major spaces such as the well deck, upper vehicle stowage, the hangar bay, medical, dental, the bridge, and the flight deck.

The tour demonstrated Kearsarge's ability to support a variety of missions including, non-combatant evacuation, strike, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance, and command and control. Furthermore, it illustrated to the group, the smaller aspects of the ships operations.

"I was amazed at the engineering control systems, and even the way all the pipes were color coded and abbreviated," said Cole. "That makes tracing out piping systems 10 times easier."

The group asked many questions about the ship's abilities and received an in depth overview of the Kearsarge from Cmdr. Andrew Thaeler, assistant C5I officer aboard Kearsarge.

"I was really impressed with the questions asked by the group," said Thaeler. "I answered questions ranging from major system to preservation of the ship. I sincerely believe this group was impressed with the versatility and capabilities of the ship."

The group met with Capt. James Gregorski, Kearsarge commanding officer, to receive an overview of the ship's achievements as a flexible component in maritime operations.

"It is a great opportunity to have special interest groups come aboard the ship and experience what we have to offer," said Gregorski. "I am sure these young professionals received a top notch tour of our ship and will apply what they have learned to future amphibious ship platforms."

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