By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffry A. Willadsen, USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Public Affairs
USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) completed the fourth day of their tailored ship's training availability (TSTA)/final evaluation period (FEP) Aug. 6 as the ship continued flight deck operations in support of ongoing carrier qualifications.
Afloat Training Group is training and grading Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing 1 Sailors on what they learned in order to determine whether the ship's crew is prepared for the unpredictable challenges faced during a combat deployment.
FEP is a graded exercise in conjunction with TSTA encompassing large-scale battle problems that require the ship to respond with general quarters [battle stations], flying squad [emergency response damage control team] drills and mass casualty responses.
Engineering department's damage control training team is one of many teams that are heavily involved because effective casualty control during combat is a major component in achieving mission readiness, which is the primary purpose of the underway period.
"Our success during FEP is crucial to us being certified to conduct our mission abroad," said Lt. j.g. Andrew J. Dietzel, the assistant damage control officer aboard Enterprise. "Essentially, it's the Navy declaring us ready to fight damage to the ship in a real situation at sea."
The ship's damage control training team uses controlled smoke, charged fire hoses and firefighting equipment to ensure the exercises are as realistic as possible. Carefully planned scenarios, meant to mirror real-life situations, add to the realism.
At some point in the evaluation, Sailors will encounter 20 to 30 simulated casualties at the same time, said Dietzel.
"It's a rigorous process, but it's what the Navy needs in order for us to prove that we're ready to do what we are meant to do, which is project air power at sea and ashore." said Dietzel. "We will prove that we are ready."
Other major areas of training include drills and scenarios encompassing navigation, seamanship, engineering, combat systems and other areas, all focused on getting the ship ready to deploy.
Once the FEP inspection is completed, Enterprise will be certified at the unit level and will begin integrated training with the rest of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. The integrated phase will culminate in the entire strike group being certified as ready to deploy.
Enterprise is at sea conducting work-ups leading to its 21st deployment.
