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USS Kearsarge Conducts Force Protection Exercises

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS150223-02
Release Date: 2/23/2015 8:07:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aren Everett, USS Kearsarge LHD 3 Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) conducts its Force Protection Exercises (FPEX) at Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 19, as part of the ship's certification process.

'FPEX is an exercise of evolutions designed to test the effectiveness of our anti-terrorism plan, preplanned responses (PPRs) and our security training team,' said Lt. j.g. Billy C. Newell, Kearsarge's security officer. 'It is evaluated by Commander Carrier Strike
Group (CSG) 4 Anti-Terrorism Office.'

Newell said that Sailors are expected to demonstrate competence in executing responses, weapons handling ability and the capability to defend the ship and crew during FPEX.

'It prepares and tests the crew's ability to defend against asymmetrical tactics used by terrorists and pirates, as well as successfully operate in potential high risk environments,' said Newell.

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Michael S. Mahan, leading petty officer for the security team, said he was confident in the success of the Kearsarge security force.

'We have some motivated Sailors. I've got to give it to them. They come from different rates and assist the master-at-arms with jobs that aren't even really required or what they came in for,' said Mahan. 'We have mess cooks, we've got airmen, we've got engineers... we've got everybody! They learn a little part of what a master-at-arms does and they're expected to fight to protect the ship. I think they're doing very well. I think we'll come through this very well.'

Newell said he also believed that Kearsarge Sailors would complete FPEX successfully. He said his belief was based on past performance as well as current performance.

'I believe we are performing well,' said Newell. 'We successfully completed Afloat Training Group (ATG) 1.4 with a 99% and we are still operating at that tempo.'

Kearsarge completed ATG's Anti-terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) basic phase 1.4 certification in October. This certification is the pre-requisite for FPEX.

FPEX is the final step for the ship's security certification. Possible scenarios include, but aren't limited to, observation, active shooter, personal and vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (IEDs), floating IEDs, water and swimmer attacks.

'It's like the Super Bowl for security,' said Mahan. 'These are critical things that we have to be prepared for in our security on board the ship so that we can react to protect the ship while we are overseas. It's about making sure that we can handle all of these scenarios and follow our PPRs,' said Mahan.

Success demonstrates the crew's readiness for deployment.

'Our security team is put through Security Reactionary Force (SRF) basic and advanced courses, as well as small arms, crew served weapons and less lethal weapons training,' said Newell. Mahan said that the security team has been preparing for about a year, making sure that everyone is qualified and trained to protect the ship.

'We have to pass these things or the ship can't deploy,' said Mahan. 'If we can't successfully secure the ship, it jeopardizes security.'

Along with Kearsarge, the guided-missile destroyers USS McFaul (DDG 74) and USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) also participated in the two-day exercise hosted by CSG-4.