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Carter Hall Conducts Live-Fire Exercises with Foreign Navy Forces

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090131-01
Release Date: 1/31/2009 6:53:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katrina Parker, Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

USS CARTER HALL, At Sea (NNS) -- Amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) conducted a live-fire exercise with coalition vessels in the Persian Gulf Jan. 12.

"Live-fire exercises are important because they allow a ship to train using a multitude of different ships weapons, such as the M240 machine gun, .50 caliber machine gun and the MK-38 25mm gun system," said Gunner's Mate 1st Class James Smith. "These weapons are crew served weapons, which are the heart and soul of shipboard defense. Being proficient with these weapons can make all the difference in combat situations."

The small arms live-fire exercise on an orange naval gunnery target better known as a "killer tomato," is a surface target used by Navy, Marine and Coast Guard units to maintain readiness in target and gunnery skills. The target is deployed approximately one half mile from the ship, and then the gunners are tasked to sink the 10-by-10 foot target.

These exercises help Sailors improve shooting proficiency, operational knowledge of these weapons, rules of engagement and use of deadly force. The target also has reflective metal foil material and simulates a small boat on the ship's radar.

"Having well-trained gunners is essential to the ship's defense and others that may come across danger in potential hostile waters," said Smith.

These small-arms engagements are also a way to strengthen ties between the United States and foreign security forces.

"Firing exercises have the potential to be dangerous evolutions," said Ensign Michael Schelcher, gunnery officer. "We train hard so that we can trust each other to fire correctly and follow safe procedures. These gunners are a ship's primary defense against a hostile force and must train diligently."

Carter Hall's executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Nathaniel Strandquist, said that operations with the foreign navy forces went smoothly.

"We only worked together for a few days, but I feel Carter Hall's professionalism coupled with the superb maritime skills of the foreign navy forces sent a positive message about the future of coalition operations."

Carter Hall is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to conduct maritime security operations (MSO). MSO help 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 Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.

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