By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Grant P. Ammon, USS Cleveland Public Affairs
PERSIAN GULF (NNS) -- Amphibious transport dock USS Cleveland (LPD 7) completed first-time Interaction Patrols (IPATS) by integrating the use of a landing craft utility (LCU) with air assets during a recent series of exercises in the Persian Gulf.
IPATS are an element of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) which help generate support and awareness amongst commercial vessels sailing in the region of the coalition's efforts to ensure a safe and secure maritime environment. Coalition forces also conduct MSO under international maritime conventions so that commercial shipping and fishing can occur safely in the region.
Cleveland, operating as an afloat forward-staging base, demonstrated the ability to direct multiple IPATs using its visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) teams on maritime security missions while effectively maintaining command and control of aircraft. Utilizing an embarked landing craft utility (LCU) from Amphibious Assault Craft Unit 1 (ACU 1), Cleveland's VBSS teams deployed from the smaller, more maneuverable landing craft.
The afloat forward staging base concept had its origins in the Chief of Naval Operations' SeaPower 21 and sea-basing initiative. Its focus was the use of a forward- staged seagoing platform to rapidly and efficiently meet the U.S. Marine Corps' future requirements and to support joint forces' ability to launch combat power from the sea.
"Using the LCU as a staging area, increases sustainability and decreases stationing time of a VBSS team," said Ensign Zachary Keller, Cleveland's VBSS coordinator and lead boarding officer. "Working aviation assets into the IPAT equation improves our capabilities tremendously."
Traditionally staged and coordinated from surface combatants, VBSS teams are normally deployed on rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB). Deploying from an LCU, allows the VBSS team to conduct longer patrols, increasing the number of vessels queried.
"The LCU was able to reach areas previously inaccessible due to Cleveland's size," said Keller. "We start our missions from the sea instead of the ship."
VBSS teams that would normally deploy for several hours before having to recover could continue patrolling for nearly the whole day, stopping at the LCU for food, equipment and supplies.
The ship's aircraft were marshalled and controlled from LCU, a first in VBSS operations. The employment of air resources increases the VBSS team's efficiency by minimizing response times, said Keller.
"Our boarding teams had direct communication with our air assets during the operations," said Keller. "Using air assets to direct our VBSS teams toward merchant and fishing traffic reduced the amount of time we spent finding contacts and allowed for more time to conduct interaction patrols."
Coordinating air assets aboard the LCU adds VBSS teams extra security and assistance in the search, classification, and identification of vessels in operating areas.
"Our efforts to improve our maritime patrol procedures aims to minimize maritime crime and harassment in the region," said Capt. Billy Hart, Cleveland's commanding officer. "Ultimately, these efforts will bolster security and stability in the region. We experimented with this new concept, along with Destroyer Squadron 26, proving the concept and then putting the pieces into motion. It boosts efficiency and may become the standard for maritime security patrols."
Cleveland is part of the USS Tarawa Expeditionary Strike Group and is currently conducting operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The flexibility and capability of U.S. and coalition forces make them well positioned to respond to any potential emergent situations. Through operations and training with regional partners, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet forces enhance existing cooperative relationships with an aim to support regional countries' struggles against violent extremism.
