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McInerney, HSL 44 Det 8 Conduct SAR Training in Eastern Pacific

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080714-08
Release Date: 7/14/2008 9:26:00 PM

By Lt. Kelly Chufo, USS McInerney Public Affairs

USS MCINERNEY, At Sea (NNS) -- The crew of USS McInerney (FFG 8)(MCI)conducted a valuable training event, June 30, allowing the SH-60B "Swamp Foxes" of Naval Station Mayport to become a certified search and rescue (SAR) platform to be used in support of counter-narcoterrorism.

DET 8's SAR aircrewmen, Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class (SW) Brian Leben and Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Matthew Kelly, used a variety of gear for the training, including a rescue strop and a new device, the rescue basket. At the completion of this exercise, the aircrew was certified to operate as a fully SAR-capable platform.

Before beginning the simulated rescue portion of the exercise, Lt. Matt Copare, officer of the deck, ran a comprehensive safety checklist that included sea state verification; solid two-way communications between the rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB), McInerney and the helicopter; and an operating space free of high seas traffic.

"Safety is critical in the successful operation of intricate training events like these that involve multiple risk factors such as small boat ops, personnel in the water and helicopter operations," said Copare.

"McInerney mitigates these risks by ensuring proper training, safety briefs and operating space clearances are received well in advance of the evolution."

After safety checks, McInerney deployed all three of the ship's qualified SAR swimmers to "rescue" several "survivors" from the open ocean.

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Brandon Gallardo was the first MCI SAR team member deployed into the ocean as a simulated "survivor". He said he experienced first-hand the rigors associated with keeping calm as he waited for the first SAR aircrewman to make his jump from the helo for the "rescue".

"When the waves are pushing you in different directions and the rotor wash from the helicopter overhead beats the ocean spray into your face, it takes your breath away.

"You have to remain calm or your actions could seriously endanger the life of the person who is attempting to rescue you. My SAR training taught me how to keep my mind focused on survival techniques and on the task at hand," said Gallardo.

McInerney, homeported in Mayport, Fla., is deployed to the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of focus in support of counter-narco terrorism operations in conjunction with Joint Interagency Task Force, South. While deployed, McInerney is under the operational control of SOUTHCOM's Naval component command, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.cusns.navy.mil/.