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In-port security a top priority when Enterprise visits foreign ports

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110208-29
2/8/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Austin Rooney

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Security is an important part of everyday life in the Navy, especially on a forward-deployed aircraft carrier like USS Enterprise (CVN 65), which arrived in Marmaris, Turkey, Feb. 8.

While being underway can be dangerous for Sailors on board, pulling into any foreign country for a port visit can present many unique challenges for crew members as well.

Big 'E' security personnel are preparing to ensure a safe and relaxing port visit for every Sailor involved.

Keeping Sailors safe in a foreign country can be a challenge, especially when those Sailors are unfamiliar with the area, don't speak the language, and are easily identifiable as Americans. Much of the time, Enterprise security members are not able to carry firearms in foreign countries, so they must rely on local police and military for help in securing fleet landing areas.

Making sure Sailors have a good point of contact in case of emergency in foreign cities just equally important as keeping the fleet landing area protected. The ship's security forces handle the fleet landing security while "shore patrol" personnel protect Sailors out in town.

"Liberty is a major part of our mission," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW) Orenthan White, training supervisor for the ship's security force. "We work in conjunction with the shore patrol to make sure the ship's crew gets to have some down time."

Shore patrol is a program run by the squadrons aboard Enterprise. It involves having Enterprise Sailors patrol frequently-visited liberty areas both to help Sailors who need directions or assistance, and also to report any incidents where Sailors are violating the command's liberty policies.

"We act as the interface between Sailors on liberty and the civilian population," said Cmdr. Tony Moreno, the senior shore patrol officer during the Big 'E's port visit to Lisbon, Portugal. "We try to provide help out in town and stop liberty incidents."

Moreno said shore patrol is useful to Sailors out in town on liberty because their clothing makes them easily identifiable in case a crew member needs help or is having a problem. Shore patrol also works closely with the ship's security force to report any liberty incidents they witness while on patrol.

"We're here to prevent liberty incidents," said Moreno. "We learn about places in the port that are known to be dangerous, and we try to concentrate shore patrol guys in those areas."

If a Sailor violates any of the rules for liberty conduct put in place by the commanding officer, shore patrol personnel are responsible for taking the offender back to the fleet landing area and placing them into Security's custody. While Sailors on shore patrol are to be respected as authority figures, White said Security has the authority to actually enforce the ship's rules and punish any violators.

"Our jurisdiction for Security is the fleet landing area," said White. "If someone is acting unruly out in town and doesn't want to respect shore patrol's authority, we will make them respect ours."

Shore patrol members and security are not only present to try and prevent Sailors from doing anything that may be against ship policy or local laws, but also to provide help if anyone needs it. White said if a Sailor finds himself or herself in an emergency situation, it they should attempt to contact Security or shore patrol before the country's local police, mainly because of the language barrier.

"If you are in some kind of emergency, try to find your way back to where you got dropped off. If you can't do that, you can call Security or identify a shore patrol person," said White. "The best thing to do is always to go to an area with lots of people – preferably other Sailors – and find someone who can help you."

Coming off of a successful port visit to Lisbon, White said he thinks security and shore patrol will help make the visit to Turkey both safe and fun for the entire crew. Above all, White said Security department's mission is to make sure Big 'E' is ready to get back underway and be ready on arrival.

"We don't think of failure when we carry out our mission," he said. "Our goal is to get everyone home safely – that's what we work for and train for everyday."

Enterprise is currently deployed on its 21st deployment. Enterprise Strike Group consists of Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), Carrier Air Wing 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2.