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Carney Conducts VBSS Training

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100409-05
Release Date: 4/9/2010 3:02:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gina Wollman, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Sea Operations Det.

USS CARNEY, At sea (NNS) -- U.S. Navy and Coast Guard service members combined forces to conduct visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) April 1.

VBSS training is conducted as part of continued efforts by the U.S. military to protect international waters from global issues such as piracy, human trafficking and drug trafficking.

"There are times when we find ships, and it is obvious something is not right," said Lt. j.g. Kurt Albaugh, Carney's Fire Control and Boarding Officer. "Then there are times when it is something as simple as radioing them and they do not respond. Either way, we make sure to check it out just to be safe."

This training gives participants the opportunity to engage in several different simulated security situations throughout the three-week certification, focusing on two levels.

"Level one focuses on ships that comply with the instructions of the inspection terms. Level two addresses the tactics used to board vessels that are non-compliant," said Albaugh. "We train for both because we never know what to expect. A boarding can switch from compliant to noncompliant very quickly, such as finding something they didn't think we would, things can turn around really fast, so training on both levels is very important."

Participants are trained in the use of small arms, proper space entry procedures, team communication skills, ship familiarization, tactical team movements and boarding reporting procedures. Additionally, they are trained in hand-to-hand combat.

"We teach them to use presence and verbal commands to take control," said Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Jonathan Haycraft, VBSS team member. "However, in cases where the other ship becomes noncompliant, we also teach closed fist tactics, such as strikes with the hands and feet, choke holds, basically, how to fight."

Albaugh added that these mechanical advantage control holds (MACH) are used to help get a noncompliant person into a position of submission and transport them safely.

They also teach the use of weapons to subdue attackers, however, the use of a weapon is a last resort effort.

In addition to the basic training, language barriers are also something the VBSS training team has to overcome with the occasional foreign military participants.

"We have a lot of various means to handle communication," said VBSS team member Fire Controlman 2nd Class Clifford Myers. "We have pictures cards, and we also have visual language translation cards, which provide us with basic words in regional languages. Sometimes, we even act things out."

Though challenging, the VBSS training team ensures the trainees are ready for anything that may come their way.

According to Albaugh, the main goal for the VBSS training is to keep our waters safe from all forms of terrorism.

"Each time we successfully complete training, we are that much closer," he said.

Carney's mission is to conduct prompt, sustained combat operations at sea in support of U.S. national policy. She is equipped to operate independently or as part of a carrier strike group or expeditionary strike group. She is currently attached to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group in support of maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.