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Boxer Sailors Train to Expand ESG Capability via Refueling Evolution

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081017-09
Release Date: 10/17/2008 7:15:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jon Rasmussen, USS Boxer (LHD 4) Public Affairs

USS BOXER, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Boxer's (LHD 4) Deck Department Sailors carried out a rare evolution Oct. 15, as USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) pulled alongside Boxer to receive fuel in an underway replenishment (UNREP) as part of Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group's (BOXESG) integration exercise.

The UNREP provided a training opportunity for Sailors on both ships, but was the first time most of Boxer's Deck Department Sailors have been on the delivery side of a refueling rig.

Typically, the job of refueling ships in an ESG falls to a Military Sealift Command supply ship, but having that capability within the strike group extends the range and capabilities of the strike group as a whole.

"Sometimes, the smaller ships in our ESG need fuel when an oiler isn't in the area. When that happens, Boxer has the capability to send fuel from the flight deck refueling station, allowing that ship to carry on with its mission," said Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW/AW/SCW) Deondra Quarles, Boxer's deck department leading chief petty Officer. "The last time we sent this rig was back in May of 2007, so this was a really good experience for all the Sailors who have never seen it."

Lacking real-world training opportunities, Boxer's deck department coordinated with Naval Base San Diego to produce realistic training at the pier for their Sailors. The training utilized two barges moored side-by-side to simulate a ship receiving the refueling rig.

"In addition to being a good hands-on opportunity for a lot of our Sailors to see an evolution like this in action, it was a chance for us to make sure none of the rig components were kinked or tangled," explained Quarles.

Another link in the chain of success according to several members of the deck department's senior leadership was Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Nicholas Broders who was the rig captain for the evolution. As rig captain, Broders was in charge of directing the teams of Sailors handling the lines, directing the winch operator who controls the fuel rig and acting as the first line of safety for everyone on the refueling station.

"This is great training because it's a rig we don't typically fly very often, just being on the delivery side of an UNREP is good for training," said Broders. "Experienced or not, there always has to be people who step up to meet the challenge, and everyone who was out there on the rig with me definitely did step up, and that's why we were successful."

With some realistic training and successful real-world replenishment under their belts, Broders and the rest of his department are confident that they will be ready to answer the call if any of the BOXESG ships need to top off to carry out their mission.

BOXESG is scheduled for more training exercises this fall prior to a deployment scheduled for early next year.

BOXESG is comprised of Amphibious Squadron 5, the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS New Orleans (LPD 18), USS Comstock (LSD 45), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), USCGC Boutwell (WHEC 719), USS Milius (DDG 69), USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, Naval Beach Group 1, Assault Craft Unit 5, Assault Craft Unit 1, Beach Master Unit 1 and Fleet Surgical Team 5.

The 13th MEU is comprised of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163 (Reinforced), Combat Logistics Battalion 13 and Battalion Landing Team 1/1.

For more news from USS Boxer (LHD 4), visit www.navy.mil/local/lhd4/.