DESRON 24, U.S. Ships Arrive off the Coast of Scotland for Joint Warrior

By Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Nikki Smith, Destroyer Squadron 24 Public Affairs

FASLANE, Scotland (NNS) -- U.S. Navy ships led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 24 (DESRON 24) arrived in Faslane, Scotland, April 9 to participate in Joint Warrior 10-1, a multinational semi-annual exercise held off the coast of Scotland.

The guided missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Barry (DDG 52), the guided missile cruisers USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) and USS Vicksburg (CG 69), the guided missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 59), and the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195) will participate in the exercise's coalition course, which is run by the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS) in the United Kingdom.

Capt. Aaron C. Jacobs, commodore of DESRON 24, and his staff are embarked aboard Laboon for the exercise to fully integrate into a joint maritime operating environment.

Jacobs said this exercise will challenge ships with Fleet Irregular Warfare Training (FIWRT), stress individual platforms with disaggregate operations, and hone the Navy's skills working with allies.

"These are skill sets we often don't have the opportunity to practice, and Joint Warrior is a great venue," Jacobs said. "The work for this exercise has been in process for months, and we are finally here to execute one of the most important exercises for independent deployment certifications."

Joint Warrior serves as an independent deployment certification event for Laboon, Vella Gulf and Kauffman.

DESRON 24 Operations Officer Lt. Cmdr. Greta Densham said that a benefit of the exercise is the chance to work with allies.

"It's a unique opportunity for the ships to prepare for operations with coalition partners and practice NATO tactics, techniques, and procedures that they otherwise wouldn't see in a U.S. exercise," Densham said.

This semi-annual exercise promotes Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet's three focus areas: conducting safe and effective fleet operations to achieve mission, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment, and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy.

The two-week long exercise, Joint Warrior 10-1, is scheduled to begin April 12 off the coast of Scotland, where the participating navies will practice joint maritime operations in a controlled environment. Nations participating in the exercise are Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States.

U.S. and Brazilian Navies Work Together During Joint Warrior

USS COLE, At Sea (NNS) -- Ships led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 24 are working alongside the Brazilian Navy during Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2 Oct. 3-16.

Joint Warrior, designed and led by the United Kingdom's Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff, is a multi-warfare exercise designed to improve interoperability between allied navies and prepares participating crews to conduct combined operations during deployments.

The exercise promotes Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet's three focus areas: conducting safe and effective fleet operations to achieve mission, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment, and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy.

Brazilian frigate BNS Defensora (F 41) is conducting combined operations with the guided-missile frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32), and the guided-missile destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67) and Ramage (DDG 61). This collaboration is an excellent opportunity for both Brazilian and U.S. Sailors.

"Commander, U.S. Second Fleet has three focus areas; the third focus area is enhancing our relationship with allies and partners," said Capt. John Kersh, DESRON 24 commodore. "We very aggressively sought out ways to work with other navies, such as Brazil, to enhance our relationships with these allies and partners."
Defensora reacted to scenario-driven exercises, such as small boat attacks, boarding operations, air defense and anti-submarine warfare.

Defensora also brings unique assets to the exercise, such as an AH-11A Super Lynx Mk21A and combat divers. Both were recently used to assist Cole's visit, board, search and seizure team during a counter-piracy exercise.

"The performance of the boarding team from Defensora was spectacular," said Kersh. "The Brazilian combat divers demonstrated great airmanship when they landed on the 'pirated' vessel."

"It was wonderful to see our friends come alongside of us to do a combined operation with our ship," said Cole's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Edward Devinney. "This relationship is a great step forward and I hope in the future we can continue to work with them."

Defensora's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Antonio Capistrano said that Joint Warrior has proven to be a great way for the Brazilian Navy to integrate with and learn from U.S. ships.

"Most of my crew has never worked with U.S. ships," Capistrano said. "For us, we are learning a lot by integrating like this. I think this is an opportunity to come together, to make friends, and to build trust. We are learning a lot in this new environment; it is an honor to be here and it is a great opportunity to work together."

USS Cole, USS Hall, USS Ramage Depart for Joint Warrior 09

The guided missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) transits the Atlantic Ocean while participating in Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2. Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2 is a multi-national warfare exercise designed to improve interoperability between allied navies. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Bookwalter/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katrina Parker, Destroyer Squadron 24 Public Affairs

ABOARD USS COLE, At Sea (NNS) -- The guided missile frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32), and guided missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61) and USS Cole (DDG 67), led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron 24, departed Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 23 to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior 2009.

Joint Warrior is a multi-warfare exercise designed to improve interoperability between allied navies and prepare participating crews to conduct combined operations during deployments.

The exercise, which is scheduled to commence Oct. 5 - 23, promotes Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet's three focus areas: conducting safe and effective fleet operations to achieve mission, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment, and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy.

Hall, Ramage, and Cole, along with ships from the Royal Navy, Canadian Forces, the Royal Danish Navy, the Brazilian Navy, and the Turkish Navy will be participating. The Royal Navy's HMS Illustrious (R 06), Northumberland (F 238), Portland (F 79), Bangor (M 109), Penzance (M 106), and Shoreham (M 112); the Canadian Force's ship HMCS Halifax (FFH 330), Montreal (FFH 336), Athabaskan (DDH 282), and Preserver (AOR 510); the Royal Danish Navy's HDMS Absalon (L 16); the Brazilian Navy's BNS Defensora (F 41); and the Turkish Navy's TCG Orucreis (F 245), will be divided into separate groups to represent fictional forces. Scenarios will include small boat attacks, exercise air defense, anti-submarine warfare, and boarding operations. Ships will be required to respond appropriately in order to accomplish their mission.

"The ships are going to operate in a multi-warfare, multi-platform coalition environment with a variety of other nations," said Capt. John Kersh, commander, Destroyer Squadron 24. "This is a pretty rare opportunity; the Royal Navy puts together this very high-end training, and we are using this exercise as an opportunity to build relationships with other navies. The strength of our Navy is the ability to operate with a variety of other navies and platforms all at the same time."

Sailors on board Cole will be able to operate alongside NATO partners to improve interoperability, as well as enjoy liberty in Scotland, Finland and Estonia.

"I want the crew to enjoy some relaxation; most people join the Navy to go see places and this is a great opportunity," said Cole's Command Master Chief (SW) Steve Timmons. "Also, this is phenomenal training and nothing beats working with NATO countries. They bring so much to the table."

The exercise will take place off the coast of Scotland with a coastline Sailors don't typically see operating off of the East Coast of the United States.

"We will be conducting this exercise in a historic Royal Navy training area," Kersh said. "It is sparsely populated, hilly, rocky, and with deep water so the ships can operate safely."

Joint Warrior serves as a deployment certification for U.S. ships, as well as offers Sailors the opportunity to execute maritime strategy with allied partners. The training scenarios will be realistic and challenging in order to enhance U.S. capabilities for maritime security.

"Hats off to the three ships for getting underway for Joint Warrior," said Kersh. "The crews have really worked hard to get their ships ready; they have worked through all the materiel issues, training requirements, and certifications. Joint Warrior will be a valuable exercise and a positive experience for our crews."

DESRON 24 Group Sail Units Execute Complex Refueling at Sea

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Nistas, COMDESRON 24 Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 24 Group Sail participants took part in a complex five-ship Replenishment-at-sea (RAS) March 12 in the Atlantic Ocean.

The RAS was one of several evolutions executed during Fleet Irregular Warfare Training for ships participating in the upcoming Joint Warrior exercise.

USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) refueled USS Porter (DDG 78), USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), and USS Anzio (CG 68) consecutively in a fast-paced evolution that integrated intense drills such as emergency breakaways.

Porter alone received about 150,000 gallons of diesel fuel marine (DFM) from the Arctic, a massive supply ship with a holding capacity of almost two million gallons.

"There were a lot of new people on board who were able take part and see firsthand how a RAS works," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Alicia Turner, a corpsman-on-scene during the exercise. "It was a great training experience for everyone. A multiple-ship refueling is a pretty difficult thing to carry out, but the crews performed well together."

Crew members manned stations, communicated with one another, heaved lines, and maintained a phone and distance line throughout the almost two-hour process. While RAS evolutions are common for ships at sea, involving additional ships can make the process more complex and dangerous, as the distance between the mammoth, moving vessels is normally less than 200 feet.

"Training is mandatory to give new and seasoned Sailors the experience they'll really need to make it through a difficult scenario under pressure," said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Derek Woodland, on board Porter.
"There are a lot of safety concerns and proper procedures involved in things like this [RAS]. Without thorough training, our ability to get through these kinds of operations would deteriorate."

Porter Participates in Low, Slow Flyer Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tyler J. Wilson, Commander Destroyer Squadron 24 Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Crew members aboard USS Porter (DDG 78) participated in a low, slow flyer exercise March 12, during a Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 24 Group Sail in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Group Sail's primary function is to augment the strike group's abilities to execute U.S. Navy maritime strategy. It is a precursor to the upcoming joint warrior exercise that will encompass thorough training in less traditional areas, like counter-piracy and theater security.

"This exercise gives us a chance to check our procedures when it comes to battling nontraditional threats," said Chief Fire Controlman (SW) Chris Hutter. "It also gives the new guys on board the ability to learn how we handle the low, slow flyer incidents."

On the weather decks, Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Jordan Simmons, a member of the ship's Small Caliber Attack Team (SCAT), prepared the .50-caliber guns to simulate attacking the slow, low flyer, in case the 5-inch gun failed or missed.

"When it comes to the .50-caliber guns we're the ship's last line of defense," said Simmons. "The SCAT has only minutes to suit up with a phone-talker and a gunner at each station and prepare to engage the aircraft if necessary."

Before the SCAT was even called, Simmons ensured that the ship's weapons were clean, loaded, and ready for anything.

"It's my job to make sure the weapons are ready for action at any time," said Simmons. "Whether we're dealing with low, slow fliers, helicopters, or small boats, we need our close-quarters weapons to be ready to fight."

During the exercise, the 5-inch gun, mounted on the bow of the ship, succeeded in hitting the target. Crew members participating in the evolution received praise for their precision and proper execution.

"The training was very positive to all involved," said Hutter. "As we prepare to deploy in an area where non-traditional threats exist, we'll rely on our training."