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CSCS Continues Training Mission in Irene's Aftermath

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110831-20
8/31/2011

By Kimberly M. Lansdale, Center for Surface Combat Systems Public Affairs

DAHLGREN, Va. (NNS) -- Mission support resumed at the Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) Aug. 29 after being shut down temporarily because of loss of power from Hurricane Irene.

During the hurricane, CSCS' Commanding Officer Bob Kerno's top priority was safety. Each learning site took the necessary precautions before the arrival of Irene such as supplying Sailors with evacuation cards. Staff and students were required to report their status after the hurricane. In addition, each site was required to give daily updates to Kerno.

While several of CSCS' learning sites in Virginia suffered some degree of damage, Kerno is thankful that everyone under his command remained safe.

"Many staff [members] in Dahlgren and Norfolk do not have power at home. [For them,] I made taking care of [their] family a priority," Kerno explained. "The remainder of [the] staff, both military and civilian, pulled together as a Navy family to take care of each other."

"CSCS' top priority was to ensure its staff and students made it safely through this hurricane. I am highly impressed how the sites executed their storm preparations. As a result, we can move forward and focus on our training mission."

CSCS learning sites affected by the hurricane included the CSCS headquarters building and Aegis Training and Readiness Center, co-located in Dahlgren, which resulted in cancellation of training Aug. 29th. Training resumed on Aug. 30th when power was restored.

CSCS Unit Dam Neck located in Virginia Beach, Va. closed its doors prior to Irene's arrival. It suffered no damage and training resumed by 10 a.m. Aug. 30th.

CSCS Detachment East located in Norfolk experienced 30 gallons of water on its decks and damage to its Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) piers. Its facilities were closed Aug. 29th but training resumed on Aug. 30th.

CSCS detachment Norfolk experienced a roof leak of approximately 30 gallons, but no damage was done to classroom equipment. Classes will resume when the fleet returns from sortieing out to sea to avoid Irene's path.

CSCS's mission is to provide preparation, study, and practice which enables Sailors to engage the enemy and win. CSCS trains Sailors and surface warriors to achieve operational excellence, and prepares and qualifies Sailors to correctly maintain, operate, and if necessary, fight surface ships while conducting sustained combat operations at sea.