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European Commands Complete Neptune Response 2011

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101118-09
11/18/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Marc Rockwell-Pate, Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Public Affairs

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- Nearly 200 personnel from commands across the European theater took part in the Commander Navy Region Europe, Africa Southwest Asia (CNREURAFSWA) exercise Neptune Response 2011 from Nov. 16-18.

During the event, personnel from Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Sixth Fleet (CNE-C6F) and CNREURAFSWA joined forces in Naples, Italy, to work with personnel at Naval Station (NS) Rota, Spain remotely via operational centers.

"Our focus at [Naval Station Rota] was to practice our radiological contamination procedures, as well as coordinate our efforts with the region and higher authority for assistance," said Capt. Bill Mosk, NS Rota commanding officer. "We use these drills to build and enhance our operational procedures and command-and-control efforts to be fully prepared for a real-life incident."

The exercise scenario tested the operational capabilities of NS Rota's response team and the interoperability of CNREURAFSWA's Task Force-Consequence Management (TF-CM) team while working with personnel from different commands.

"A scenario like this provides our emergency responders, such as fire, hospital, security and EOD personnel, a live-action training opportunity to practice their procedures rather than just providing a table-top exercise," said Mosk. "Knowledge is important, but practical application is everything. We train like we fight."

"The TF-CM concept was established to create a central entity that would take tactical control of all required forces to respond to a variety of events in Europe and Africa," said Lt. Kenneth Frauenthal, CNREUFAFSWA training officer.

As the exercise concluded, the CNREURAFSWA TF-CM team leader said the rapid reaction and effective communication of NS Rota personnel and members of the TF-CM team in Naples were paramount to the success of Neptune Response 2011.

"I think this year's exercise went very well," said Capt. Ed Falcon, CNREURAFSWA chief of staff. "The emergency team in Rota was very quick to respond to the initial scenario and relay all necessary situational information to the consequence management team here in Naples. Then, working together, Sixth Fleet and region personnel were able to analyze the information and set into motion an effective emergency response plan. We do have some take-aways to implement in the future, but overall it was a very successful drill of both installation and regional resources."

Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia is responsible for providing efficient and effective shore service support to U.S. and allied forces operating at our installations.