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Destroyer Squadron 24 Departs for Joint Warrior 10-1

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100331-04
Release Date: 3/31/2010 1:02:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Darius O. Jackson, Navy Public Affairs Support Element

USS LABOON, At Sea (NNS) -- Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 24, embarked aboard USS Laboon (DDG 58), departed Naval Station Norfolk March 28 to participate in the multinational exercise Joint Warrior 10-1 off the coast of Scotland.

Guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Barry (DDG 52), guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59), and Fleet Replenishment Oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195), based out of Norfolk, Va., along with USS Vicksburg (CG 69), based out of Mayport, Fla., will be working alongside navies from the United Kingdom and other NATO allied partners.

Joint Warrior is a United Kingdom-led, multi-warfare exercise designed to improve interoperability between allied navies and prepare participating crews to conduct combined operations during deployment.

The exercise, which is scheduled from April 10-23, promotes Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet's three focus areas: conducting safe and effective fleet operations to achieve mission, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment, and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy.

Joint Warrior allows DESRON 24, commanded by Capt. Aaron C. Jacobs, commodore, and British ships to work together with maritime, land and air units from allied nations while providing each other with key services and logistical support.

"We're going to be operating in a multi-warfare, multi-platform coalition environment with a variety of other nations," said Jacobs. "This is a unique opportunity for our Sailors to experience a sophisticated training environment while our Navy strengthens relationships and executes the maritime strategy with our allies."

The participating ships have been divided into units that represent fictional regions that are having territory disputes. Scenarios the ships will participate in include small boat attacks, boarding operations, air defense, anti-submarine warfare and ship maneuverability tasks.

Joint Warrior serves as a certifying event for ships that will deploy with coalition forces in the future. Nations participating in the exercise are Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States.