• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

San Antonio Completes Force Protection Certification

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080731-22
Release Date: 7/31/2008 4:44:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Brian Goodwin, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

USS SAN ANTONIO, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) completed their force protection certification July 30 while underway with the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group during Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 08-4.

The scenario for the event was a small boat attack while San Antonio was anchored of the eastern coast.

"Our goal was to not let the small boats get to within the ships simulated weapons range or attack the wrong small boat," said Cmdr. Kurt Kastner, San Antonio's commanding officer.

Completion of numerous courses and qualifications for San Antonio Sailors was necessary before engaging in this pre- deployment certification.

"All armed watch standers are required to attend a three-week class consisting of the Armed Sentry course and Non-Lethal Weapons training to be weapons qualified," said Master-at-Arms Chief Dennis Stoltz. "Personnel assigned to the gun mounts must go through fifty-caliber gun training to include weapons familiarization, characteristics, and a qualification shoot."

The scenario took place at night while San Antonio was anchored.

"It was held at night to create a realistic scenario under adverse conditions," added Stoltz.

The lessons learned from this training session may prove to be vital for San Antonio's upcoming fall deployment.

"While on deployment there is no way of knowing if or when a surprise attack may happen," said Gunner's Mate 2nd Class (SW) John Morris. "We should be ready at any given time to defend our ship."

San Antonio Sailors succeeded in defending the ship during the drill, and demonstrated that the crew is prepared and had all the necessary training they needed to counter terrorist threats.

"The terrorist threat is always evolving," said Stoltz. "With that in mind, we continually train and dedicate ourselves to adapt to prevent or properly respond to threats we may encounter."

San Antonio is part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), which also consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7); the dock-landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); all homeported at Norfolk, Va.; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn.

For more news from Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/iwoesg/.