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USS Frank Cable Participates in Marine Exercise

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS101223-04
12/23/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gabrielle Blake, USS Frank Cable (AS 40) Public Affairs

POLARIS POINT, Guam (NNS) -- Marines from the 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company conducted visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training aboard the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) Dec. 10.

"This particular mission is part of the rehearsals and training for maritime interception operations and enhanced maritime interception operations," said the chief instructor from the Special Operations Training Group (SOTG).

Marines go through six months of initial training to become part of the forward deployed Force Reconnaissance Platoon. They travel to Guam to conduct the VBSS portion of training on several ships including merchant vessels, Coast Guard boats and Navy ships.

"Cable proved to be a useful vessel for training," said the executive officer of the SOTG. "It gives us a real good simulation of platforms that potentially the Force Reconnaissance Platoon will go through."

Instructors said one of the biggest benefits of using Cable was practicing the technique known as the hook and climb. It is where Marines pull up alongside the ship in rigid-hulled inflatable boats. They employ a climbing system from sea level and are able to scale the side of the ship to get on board the vessel. Cable posed more of a challenge because of the height and the way the stern curves.

Marines traveled through main spaces of the ship learning how to maneuver as a team on an unfamiliar vessel.

"Without this training, these guys would never have the basic skill set to be able to do the hooks and the climbs, the nautical training and the basic understanding of ship procedures and how to take over a vessel," said SOTG instructor.

"Piracy and the issues we are dealing with is a real threat," said a guest instructor with VBSS operational experience from 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). "The recon technique that we did prove that it works and over time, it will be beneficial."

Once the six-month training is complete, the Marines will be certified and will become part of the forward deployed Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st MEU. Remedial and advanced training is conducted and Marines are re-certified every six months.

Cable conducts maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.