Bonhomme Richard ARG, 31st MEU Conduct VBSS Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Edward Guttierrez III, Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Norfolk

CORAL SEA (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) in partnership with Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducted a visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) training evolution aboard USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) Aug. 13.

"VBSS operations are another way in which we keep sea lanes open and safe for the flow of commercial traffic," said Lt. Bradford Tonder, operations officer for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11. "These operations aid in deterring and preventing illegal activity on the high seas."

VBSS operations emerged after the initial Gulf War as a measure to support continued maritime interdiction operations imposed by United Nations resolutions and to deter illegal activity. They are conducted by sending boarding teams to search a vessel of interest via rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) or helicopter. If the vessel is deemed to be conducting illegal activities, the boarding team can secure the vessel and crew if required.

Today's VBSS training covers areas such as tactical team movements, self-defense tactics, boarding tactics, and climbing and repelling techniques.

"In this part of the world, it's one of the biggest things we focus on. There are a lot of cargo ships and they're at high risk of being taken over by pirates. It's our job to be ready to repel that threat," said Cpl. Corey Thomas, infantry squad leader.

The VBSS training exercise was conducted as part of the 31st MEU's certification exercise (CERTEX). Due to the exercise framework, less than 48 hours notice was given to Bonhomme Richard, Denver and the 31st MEU to begin planning the boarding and seizure operation.

"Although we had only 48 hours from notice of the mission to execution... [it] required the same extensive and detailed planning to execute as the VBSS operations Navy ships routinely conduct," said Tonder.

VBSS operations require intricate pre-planning and execution as well as high-level integration between Navy and Marine on-scene leadership. The Marine Corps' elite VBSS force is the Maritime Raid Force (MRF). The MRF is vital to the Blue/Green team and uses the full spectrum of ARG/MEU support resources such as aircraft and small boats in order to successfully execute a particular mission.

"This operation was very successful," said Tonder. "This was the first time this particular Blue/Green team conducted this type of operation together. The team gelled quickly and planned and executed a safe and coordinated mission involving numerous air platforms originating from both Bonhomme Richard and Denver."

Thomas echoed that sentiment saying, "A lot goes into an operation like this, a lot of coordination with different elements. Whether it's the Aviation Combat Element (ACE), the Navy side, or Marine Force Recon team, I think the operation went extremely smoothly. There are always things to improve and tighten up in any mission, but overall I feel like things went extremely well."

Bonhomme Richard is the flagship of the Bonhomme Richard ARG, commanded by Capt. Cathal O'Connor, commodore, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 and reports to the Commander, Amphibious Force 7th Fleet, Rear Adm. Jeffrey A. Harley, headquartered in White Beach, Okinawa, Japan.

Future USNS Wally Schirra Completes Acceptance Trials

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The future USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) completed Acceptance Trials Aug. 6, sailing from and returning to the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.

The future USNS Wally Schirra is the eighth ship of the Lewis and Clark-class to be presented to the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) for acceptance. This is the final major milestone prior to delivery to the Navy and the first and only time the ship will go to sea prior to her crew moving aboard. During acceptance trials, the dry cargo/ammunition ship successfully demonstrated a variety of systems including main propulsion, engineering, ship control systems and crew support.

"The successful completion of acceptance trials is a major step towards bringing the ship into the fleet," said Frank McCarthey, the T-AKE-class program manager for the Navy's Program Executive Office for Ships (PEO Ships). "The T-AKE program continues to deliver high quality ships to the fleet on cost and ahead of schedule."

NASSCO continues to make substantial reductions in labor hours from hull to hull on the program, and it has invested significant capital in the yard over the last several years. T-AKEs have been delivering approximately one to two months early, with future ships delivering even earlier as the program compresses the overall build profile. Wally Schirra is scheduled to deliver Sept. 1, more than a month ahead of the contract delivery date.

The T-AKE program has contract options for up to 14 ships with 12 ships fully under contract. To date, seven ships of the T-AKE class have been delivered, the last of which was USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) on March 4.

As a combat logistics force ship, Wally Schirra will help the Navy maintain a worldwide forward presence by delivering ammunition, food, fuel and other dry cargo to U.S. and allied ships at sea. The ship is designed to operate independently for extended periods at sea and can carry and support two helicopters. T-AKE 8 was launched and christened March 8 at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.

Continuing the Lewis and Clark-class tradition of honoring legendary pioneers and explorers, the Navy's newest underway replenishment ship recognizes Walter "Wally" Schirra Jr., a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Navy test pilot who served in both World War II and the Korean War. Schirra also holds the distinction of being the only astronaut to fly in each of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space programs.

PEO Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of U.S. Navy surface ships and is currently managing the design and construction of a wide range of ship classes and small boats and craft. These platforms range from major warships such as frontline surface combatants and amphibious assault ships to air-cushioned landing craft, oceanographic research ships and special warfare craft. PEO Ships has delivered 32 major warships and hundreds of small boats and craft from more than 30 shipyards and boat builders across the United States.

Mercury Astronaut Honored with Navy Ship

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leticia Fritzche

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy launched the latest Lewis & Clark-class dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) in a christening ceremony hosted by General Dynamics' National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) March 8 at the shipyard's facilities.

The ship bears the name of astronaut and Navy Capt. Walter "Wally" Schirra, one of the original Mercury 7 pioneers.

"It's very moving to be here," said Capt. Lee Morin, the Navy's senior astronaut and principal speaker at the ceremony. "The influence he had on my life as a child growing up has inspired me, Americans and others around the world."

With a clock counting down the seconds to launch, Morin presented the ship to sponsor, Josephine Schirra, Capt. Schirra's wife, who along with a small group crashed the ceremonial bottle of champagne over the hull of the vessel. The vessel took off slowly at first, then accelerated as the fantail entered the morning waters of San Diego Bay. The ship's horn rang as guests cheered when the 689-foot ship took to the water for the first time.

"This represents a great honor for Wally," said the late astronaut's wife. "I know that he would have loved to have known a ship was named after him." The Schirras were married for 62 years.

Schirra graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1945. He holds the distinction of being the only astronaut to fly in each of the three space programs -- Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. Former astronauts Bill Anders, Scott Carpenter, Jim Lovell and Tom Stafford were present to share in celebration.

Actor Mark Harmon who portrayed Schirra in the HBO mini series "From the Earth to the Moon," attended the ceremony and was availabble for photos and autographs. Harmon is also a star on the current ongoing CBS series "NCIS."

USNS Wally Schirra is the eighth ship of the T-AKE class. Its mission is to provide replenishment, deliver food, ammunition and other provisions to combat ships at sea. As part of Military Sealift Command's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force, USNS Wally Schirra will continue to allow the Navy to maintain a worldwide forward presence along with allied ships at sea.