Stout Shines in COMPUTEX
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090205-01
Release Date: 2/5/2009 5:30:00 AM
By Ensign Adam R. Cole, USS Normandy Public Affairs
ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Holding true to its motto 'Tough, Rugged, Fast and Ready,' the USS Stout (DDG 55) successfully completed a composite unit training exercise (COMPUTEX) with the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, held from Jan. 8-26, and returned to its Norfolk home port Jan. 28.
The exercise teamed Stout with five other surface ships, including USS Eisenhower (CVN 69), and a submarine, to work together in a simulated threat environment, one that was meant to emulate an emergent situation of regional instability.
Evolutions that the ship and strike group conducted included anti-subsurface, anti-air, and maritime interdiction operations (MIO) as well as maintaining overall command of the maritime battle space.
"This was a great opportunity for the ship to train at a level that highly resembled real-world operations, while being accompanied with the stress and fatigue that comes from being in such an environment," said Cmdr. Robert D. Katz, Stout commanding officer. "The Stout crew displayed great effort in rising to the challenges set before them. I am very proud."
Operations were non-stop during the three weeks at sea. The initial phases allowed the ship to fine-tune its warfighting readiness in the various mission areas, as it conducted boardings, subsurface searches using active and passive sonar and live-fire warning shots.
The final battle problem called on the ship and the strike group to maintain these warfare areas in a scenario-driven way that called for reacting to composite warfare commander tasking at a moments notice.
Such a operational tempo, especially for the 250-person crew of Stout, was taxing on personnel, but each Sailor pushed through moments of exhaustion to meet mission accomplishment.
Deck division watchstanders, in particular, were pushed to the maximum. Deck team members were called on to land helicopters, man the boat deck and fill important bridge watch positions. Most went with limited sleep on some days but worked together as a team to assist one another where needed and never stopped stepping up to the demands in front of them.
"Faith in God and knowing that what I do counts to bettering the ship, Navy and this country," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Orie C. Everett, 23-year old, Goldsboro, N.C. native, in describing how he was able to endure the stress and fatigue of operations. "I never wanted to let myself down or my shipmates."
Each mission area served a purpose in achieving maritime dominance. MIO boardings were a particular strength for Stout. During the final battle problem, the ship was able to take control over a non-compliant vessel, one in which there was a simulated high-profile terrorist aboard. Overall, Stout's boarding team conducted three additional boardings—the others being compliant—and one approach operation in which it delivered water and fruit to fishing vessels operating in the area.
"The exercise allowed us to test our skills in situations we had only rehearsed previously. It was good to test skills against role players that closely mirrored situations we may face," said Lt.j.g. Tim Clark, Stout's navigator and boarding team lead. "Our team did well in responding as asked, and I feel confident we could do the same if it were the real thing."
Katz echoed that sentiment, recognizing that his Sailors were more than ready to face real-world challenges.
"We certainly proved that we are indeed, 'Tough, Rugged, Fast and Ready.' The Sailors came through and proved that they can meet whatever is asked of them," said Katz.
Stout is based in Norfolk and part of Carrier Strike Group 8 and Destroyer Squadron 28.
For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/surflant.
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