• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Vella Gulf VBSS Team Keeps Skills Sharp

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081125-10
Release Date: 11/25/2008 6:01:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

USS VELLA GULF, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors from the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf's (CG 72) visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team conduct weekly training to keep their skills fresh while deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations in support of maritime security operations (MSO).

VBSS teams conduct regular interaction patrols (IPATS) in the region, which focus on helping to ensure security and stability in the maritime environment -- a core U.S. mission in the region.

IPATs include approach and assist visits to local mariners, which help deter illegal activities on the high seas and reassure mariners that coalition forces are operating in the region to ensure the sea lanes remain open and safe to navigate. The weekly shipboard training supports and reinforces the basic principles VBSS team members learn during months of training before deploying.

"These skills are perishable, so it's very important that we reinforce continuous training to keep our skills as sharp as possible," said Lt. j.g. Richard Laraway, the team's principal boarding officer.

To give VBSS members a more real-world experience while aboard a ship, the team must negotiate their way through mock boarding scenarios, learn to climb up the side of the ship as well as practice hook and pull boarding techniques. The training also builds upon topics covered at VBSS schools such as weapons handling techniques, tactical team movement and clearing rooms and passageways. Additionally, topics include the use of force, tactical communications, intelligence gathering and combat first aid.

"Cohesiveness is a big thing," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy Sutton, a VBSS team member. "Continuous training keeps us together as one team. It's important that I know what the guy in front of me is thinking. It is a skill that is very easy to lose, so proficiency is necessary."

All of the scenarios help the team prepare for real-world IPATS and MSO.

"Training keeps our team in the mindset that the VBSS mission is part of our day-to-day routine," said Laraway. "At any time, day or night, we can come across a dhow, or we can be placed in a situation where we are called upon to conduct a boarding."

The weekly VBSS team training enables the team to carry out IPATS missions and other boarding operations aimed at building stronger ties with the local mariners and letting them know the VBSS teams are there to help.

Since the teams are often a local ship's first contact with U.S. Navy Sailors, the teams review cultural awareness and diversity training they received before deploying. All team members conduct themselves with strict military bearing but also show an approachable demeanor that would allow them to do their jobs and complete the mission.

"We train to go out there and interact with the local people," said Fire Controlman 1st Class Brian Brennan, a VBSS team member. "I think showing them the U.S. is here to help will have a huge impact on changing the people's perceptions about us."

Vella Gulf's VBSS team is comprised of Sailors from many different departments.

"It's important to note that what these guys are doing is not their primary job," said Laraway. "They are guys that volunteered to do this mission, were sent through additional training, and then were able to do boardings and interaction patrols."

By conducting these training exercises at sea, Vella Gulf looks to gain valuable experience while focusing on the importance of MSO.

Vella Gulf is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group to conduct MSO, helping develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

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