USS San Jacinto Conducts Exercise Boarding

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160321-11
Release Date: 3/21/2016 12:21:00 PM

By Lt j.g. Bobby Dixon, USS San Jacinto Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Sailors of the visit, board, search and seizure team from guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) conducted a simulated boarding on training support vessel Hugo, March 17.

The operation was part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Composite Training Unit Exercise in preparation for an upcoming deployment.

These evolutions will prepare San Jacinto's VBSS team for potential boarding evolutions in the future.

"'We train how we fight' is a phrase you hear often in the military," said Capt. Dennis Velez, commanding officer of San Jacinto. "Our training now keeps our skills sharp and prepares us to enforce the freedom of the seas in the future."

As part of the exercise, San Jacinto received simulated a distress call from Hugo about pirates attacking the vessel. Upon arrival, VBSS team members boarded Hugo and offered assistance to ensure the vessel was safe and clear of unwanted guests. The simulated crew was cooperative and happy the team responded.

"We train our team as often as we can, but nothing beats training at sea," said Lt j.g. James Mosychuk, one of the VBSS team's boarding officers.

After the vessel had been secured, the team demonstrated its ability to navigate and control the vessel should the need arise to take a vessel into port.

As part of COMPTUEX, Commander, Carrier Strike Group 4 mentors, trains and assesses the ability of San Jacinto and the entire IKE CSG to work as an integrated team capable of worldwide operations. Ultimately, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command certifies if the IKE CSG is ready to deploy following COMPTUEX.

IKE CSG is comprised of CSG 10 staff, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staff, aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), and guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Mason (DDG 87), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) and USS Stout (DDG 55) of DESRON 26.