Farragut Executes Second Fleet Initiative to Enhance Readiness
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090828-26
Release Date: 8/28/2009 4:17:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Gay, Naval Public Affairs Support Element East, Detachment Southeast
ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Farragut (DDG 99) enhanced their ability to operate independently for non-traditional missions while underway Aug. 24-26. This exercise was part of a U.S. Second Fleet initiative to better prepare ships to operate independently in modern, complex environments.
"Normally we operate and train in a carrier strike group atmosphere, and we do traditional integrated operations," said Cmdr. Philip Sobeck, Farragut's commanding officer. "In reality we are seeing more situations where surface ships have to steam independently in different theaters and be able to make the right decisions and respond appropriately without the aid of strike group staffs."
In the span of two days the ship and her crew were presented with myriad challenges and training scenarios. They responded to a small boat attack that escalated from simple harassment to an active threat involving weapons. Additionally, they conducted a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercise which required the ship to close in on a simulated target boat as the crew fired rounds from their 5-inch gun to disable it. That same boat was then targeted with .50 caliber machine gun fire.
Sobeck said the training is extremely useful, because it provides his crew hands-on experience and challenges them to test their skills and operate as a team.
"I really like the training, it's helping me understand things I have only read in books," said Damage Controlman Fireman Erin Lagos, who has been aboard Farragut for four months. "It helps, because you can't really understand those things until you actually get a chance to do them for yourself."
"We have been working with our air assets, practicing with the 5-inch gun, and also training on VBSS. All these skills will increase our effectiveness while deployed, especially if we are working independently," said Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW) Philip White.
During the underway, the crew also conducted a successful test launch of a Tomahawk missile from its vertical launch system.
The Tomahawk launch added to the excitement of the training for the crew. "It has been a very busy schedule, but it's been a great experience," said White.
Farragut is homeported at Naval Station Mayport, and is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 24.
For more news from Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c2f.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
