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Seamless Active-Reserve Integration Working on Iwo Jima ESG Deployment

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080905-15
Release Date: 9/5/2008 1:46:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chad R. Erdmann, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

USS IWO JIMA, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors attached to Commander, Amphibious Squadron 4's Navy Reserve Detachment 409 deployed with the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) aboard the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Aug. 26.

The reserve unit, from Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC), Birmingham, Ala., is made up of four officers, four chief petty officers and 22 junior enlisted Sailors. From that unit, one officer and four enlisted Sailors have integrated themselves into a variety of shipboard duties aboard Iwo Jima while accomplishing their annual training (AT).

"Our reserve unit helps staff the ESG when needed," said Cmdr. Spencer Garrett, officer in charge. "It is economically more feasible to utilize Reserve personnel in some billets rather than recruiting new Sailors."

The Active-Reserve Integration plays an important role in the strike group's operations.

"Navy Reserve Component Sailors provide ready, responsive and relevant operational support to the Fleet," said Capt. Brian T. Smith, commander, Iwo Jima ESG. "The support provided by our Reserve detachment is invaluable and the integration is seamless. Active-Reserve Integration has achieved its goal, we are one team."

Operations Specialist 2nd Class Jennifer Roe has been a Reservist for six years and, as a qualified watchstander, serves as watch supervisor in Flag Maritime Operations Center. She honed her skills with the ESG during a recent Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) held in July and expressed that because of the workups she was able to qualify to stand watches much quicker.

"I believe being able to come out for the workups definitely helped with my knowledge and experience to better support the ESG staff," said Roe.

The ESG plans to continue qualifying its Reservists as watchstanders for the benefit of the Sailors and operations.

Electronics Technician 1st Class (SW) Antwan Herron, a postal service employee in the civilian sector, is currently standing under-instruction watch and will be next to fully qualify as a watchstander. He serves as a communications watch in the ESG Flag Plot station aboard Iwo Jima.

"I am learning a lot and catching on very quickly," said Herron.
"My qualification as a watchstander will improve quality of life for all the Sailors in Flag Maritime Operations Center. Normally, the communications watch is a two section duty - 12 hours on, 12 hours off – but once I am fully qualified, the watch will shift to three sections and will afford us all more time, with only standing an eight-hour vice twelve-hour watch."

Garret hopes the Reserve detachment can support the strike group throughout the deployment.

"We are planning to supply two operations specialists for the entire deployment," said Garrett. "If we can cycle in new OS's [operations specialist] every 17 to 25 days, we will be able to support the ESG staff for the entire deployment."

That would be great news for Roe.

"I would like to stay aboard ship for the entire deployment," said Roe. "The staff is not only utilizing my skill, but challenging me to learn more. I want to learn all I can, and be involved as much as possible."

The Iwo Jima ESG is deployed to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility in support of maritime security operations. The Iwo Jima ESG is made up of Iwo Jima, the amphibious dock landing ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); the amphibious transport dock 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; 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/.