Ford Conducts Torpedo Launch Exercise
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090415-10
Release Date: 4/15/2009 3:45:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Benjamin N. Taylor
EVERETT, Wash. (NNS) -- USS Ford (FFG 54) conducted a torpedo recovery exercise April 10 while pierside at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
The MK-46 recovery exercise torpedo (REXTORP), an inert training torpedo that mimics the size and weight characteristics of its active counterpart, was launched from the port side of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate from the Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes (SVTT) earlier that day.
"By conducting the event pier side, we can focus the training on just the people it takes to run the drill and recover the weapon, without burning any fuel or losing time to conduct other training which we can only accomplish underway," said Ford's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. John D. Wilshusen.
Normally this exercise would be done underway, and would tie up the entire ship for a period of two or three hours while the weapon was launched and recovered. Training devices like this help ships meet training objectives safely and effectively, at a reduced expense to the Navy.
"The nice thing is that we can reuse it multiple times without any added cost," said Wilshusen. "This is a good example of new ways of doing old business."
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