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Laboon Completes Live Fire Exercise

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS150121-05
Release Date: 1/21/2015 7:58:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael J. Lieberknecht, USS Laboon (DDG 58) Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) conducted a live-fire exercise as part of composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 4, Jan. 19.

The Laboon's Small Caliber Action Team (SCAT) started the exercise by placing targeting balloons in the water, and the ship moved into position to safely open fire.

'These exercises demonstrate proficiency of gun weapon systems and our SCAT teams,' said Lt. Jason Coltellino, Laboon's weapons officer, from Commack, New York.

Laboon kicked off target practice with its MK-45 5-inch gun, sending vibrations throughout the ship. The event continued with the forward close-in weapons system (CIWS) sending a barrage of ammunition into the balloons. Port MK-38 25mm machine gun, and all portside .50-caliber and M-240 machine guns then opened fire simultaneously to further puncture the targets.

After several passes and countless empty shells hitting the deck, the balloons sank, and Laboon secured from the exercise.

'During COMPTUEX we need to ensure we are giving proper training and can adequately defend the ship,' said Coltellino.

Laboon is scheduled to finish COMPTUEX in early February before deploying to provide an overseas forward presence and maintain maritime security abroad.

The TRCSG consists of the staff of Carrier Strike Group 12, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) and USS Farragut (DDG 99). Laboon and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) are participating in the TRCSG COMPTUEX as independent deployers.