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Enterprise Strike Group Ship Conducts VBSS Training

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101022-08
10/22/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Richard J. Stevens, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS BULKELEY, At Sea (NNS) -- The visit, board, search and seizure team (VBSS) aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) conducted a maritime interdiction operation (MIO) training exercise Oct 20.

This exercise was for its VBSS certification as Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) continues with the USS Enterprise (CVN 65)Carrier Strike Group.

Bulkeley sent 14 Sailors in rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIB) to board the 200-foot USS Hugo (NS-8201).

The Bulkeley's VBSS team trained as though they were boarding a cargo vessel in the Middle East or off the coast of Somalia.

In a variety of different VBSS events, the team engaged in several different simulated security situations throughout the certification exercise. These events included compliant boardings, non-complaint boardings and approach operations.

"Although this is training, you still have to go in with a combat mindset," said Justin D. Arnold, Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic (CSFTL) MIO observer. "Compliant boardings are always challenging because you have to go over with the mindset of a police officer. You want to have a positive interaction with the crew, but you always have to be watching your back and looking for threats.

"When the situation becomes non-compliant, you have to go over with a mindset of authority and look to take over the vessel. If you come over with a presence it will be smoother and safer for that team. You can take control of the crew quickly and be able to do it with out them resisting," Arnold said.

Throughout the VBSS exercise the team continued to be evaluated through a checklist that involved more than 200 queries.

The exercise evaluators, a combination of retired and active-duty Navy and intelligence veterans, look for safe approaches, tactical awareness, good tactical movement and the ability to approach compliant and non-compliant scenarios.

"This team is operating very well," said Chief Gunner's Mate (SW) A.J. Holzshu, CSFTL MIO observer. "I saw them a couple of times before and just like anything else, practice makes perfect. The team looks more fluid, and their tactics are more solid. They will definitely have no problem going over in theatre and performing the mission.

"This training is very similar to a real scenario. The only thing that is missing is foreign national speakers," Holzshu. "The papers, passports and documents are pretty similar to what this team will experience overseas."

These exercises are designed to provide realistic training environments for U.S. naval forces that closely replicate the operational challenges routinely encountered during military operations around the world. Training such as this ensures our military forces are prepared to support any missions they are called to serve.

Small boarding teams searching suspected vessels are some of the most dangerous missions these teams face.

"We basically came on board to check the verifications of the crew and check to see if they have anything on board that they're not supposed to have," said Electrician's Mate 3rd Class William S. Johnson, USS Bulkeley engineering and electrical division. "We found two packages of drugs while conducting our search."

Through conducting the MIO exercises, the VBSS team was afforded the opportunity to gain valuable experience in its mission readiness while focusing on the importance of maritime security operations (MSO). When in theater, MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counterterrorism and security efforts on the high seas and in littoral waters.

Bulkeley is a component of Destroyer Squadron 2 which is a part of Enterprise Strike Group (ENTSG). ENTSG also consists of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), and Carrier Air Wing 1.

Enterprise Strike Group is conducting COMPTUEX as part of its work-ups in preparation for an upcoming deployment. For more information about Enterprise, Carrier Strike Group 12 or Carrier Air Wing 1 visit www.Enterprise.navy.mil, www.ccsg12.surfor.navy.mil, and www.cvw1.navy.mil.

For more news from USS Enterprise (CVN 65), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn65/.