NAS ESG Reenters the 6th Fleet Area of Operations

The amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4) leads the guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) and USS Ross (DDG 71), the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48).

The ships of the Nassau Strike Group (NAS ESG) reentered the Mediterranean, June 18, to conduct maritime security operations (MSO) in regional waters and theater security cooperation efforts.

The ships entered the region as part of an ongoing rotation of forces, demonstrating the United States' continued resolve toward enhancing regional security and promoting long-term stability.

Commanded by Capt. Robert G. Lineberry, commander, Amphibious Squadron 6, the NASSG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4); the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville (LPD 13); the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48); the guided-missile destroyers USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84); the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), and the fast-attack submarine USS Albany (SSN 753).

"Our Sailors and Marines really enjoyed the chance to learn from our many multinational partners and contribute to the team effort in the region," said Lineberry. "PE 08 provided an excellent opportunity for all participants to share their ideas on maintaining safety and security, while building relationships and enhancing our interoperability."

While in the area, the NAS ESG will assist Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (CNE) conduct the full range of maritime operations and theater security cooperation in concert with coalition, joint, interagency and other partners in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.

The NAS ESG will also support the 2008 CNE operational objectives to improve maritime safety and security in Europe and Africa; be prepared for any contingency; provide exceptional stewardship to the regional workforce and their families; advance the art and science of maritime operations; advance awareness of the harmony of partner and U.S. interests and activities; and support U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and other Navy Component Commanders.

The NASSG and its 2,800 Sailors and Marines were first in the region from Feb. 25-April 24, where they visited nine different countries and conducted several community relations projects. The strike group's operations in 6th Fleet included participation in Phoenix Express 2008 (PE 08), a two-week maritime exercise designed to increase the interoperability and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations. In total, 3,100 service members from 11 nations participated in the U.S.-hosted, multinational exercise.

As the deployment sails forward, the NAS ESG will continue to execute its mission of providing the joint or combined force commander with a scalable maritime force capable of a full range of military options that is flexible, agile and quick to respond when called upon. The NAS ESG will further support the other tenets of the Navy's Maritime Strategy, which include forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, and humanitarian assistance/disaster response.

The Maritime Strategy represents a new vision for the 21st century and establishes new capabilities to codify longstanding challenges, while maintaining focus on enduring naval missions.

"We are very pleased with our many accomplishments and milestones that we have achieved thus far during this deployment," said Lineberry. "The team is ready as we continue to perform our many missions and take each day and challenge as they come."

Phoenix Express 2008 Underway

Official U.S. Navy file photo of the "Don't Tread on Me" jack waving from the forecastle of the frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) as the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4) pulls into Souda Bay. The ships recently left Souda Bay to begin the underway portion of Phoenix Express 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Coleman Thompson (Released)

USS NASSAU, At sea (NNS) -- Phoenix Express 2008 (PE 08) wrapped up the inport portion of the exercise on April 13 and began the underway portion of the two-week exercise on April 14 with 12 ships getting underway from Naval Support Activity, Souda Bay, Crete.

Two ships from the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group (NAS ESG), the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4) and the amphibious transport dock USS Nashville (LPD 13); along with the frigate USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) and the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) are representing the United States. Eight other ships are also participating in the exercise, including the Algerian training ship La Soummam (937); the French salvage ship FS Acheron (A 613); the Greek auxiliary ship Evros (A 415); the Greek frigate HS Spetsai (F 453); the Moroccan frigate Mohammed V (611); the Portuguese frigate NRP Corte Real (F 332); the Spanish corvette SPS Infanta Elena (P 76); and the Turkish frigate TCG Gelibolu (F 493).

While inport, members of PE 08's combined maritime forces trained at the newly certified North American Treaty Organization's (NATO) Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Center (NMIOTC). The center, certified by NATO on April 2, offers classroom training to the participants, as well as simulator training and practical exercises. Throughout the courses, students learned small boat handling, small arms training and proper container inspection.

"NMIOTC is NATO's newest training facility and provided PE 08 participants with a valuable opportunity to come together to share information and prepare for exercise execution," said Capt. Robert G. Lineberry, officer-in-charge of the exercise (OCE) and commander, NAS ESG. "Their training was essential to ensure our success for this exercise."

Underway events will focus on maritime domain awareness (MDA) and the automatic identification system (AIS) including interaction between forces afloat and a maritime operations center ashore.

Combined maritime forces will also conduct serials in force protection, maritime interdiction operations (MIO), search and rescue (SAR), replenishment at sea (RAS), towing and helicopter operations. A comprehensive and robust underway training agenda will provide participants with numerous opportunities to operate together and develop productive relationships.

Inport events, completed from April 7-13, were hosted at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Crete, and focused mainly on medical training and MIO training. Combined maritime forces also conducted workshops in helicopter operations and safety, damage control and firefighting, navigation, deck seamanship, search and rescue SAR, small boat operations and a leadership round table.

Exercises like PE 08 enable participants to advance information sharing, which is crucial to maintaining a region free from transnational threats, as well as enhance capability to conduct multinational peacekeeping missions.

PE 08 is the third annual exercise in a long-term effort to improve regional cooperation and maritime security. The principal aim is to increase interoperability by developing individual and collective maritime proficiencies of participating nations, as well as promoting friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation.

Four U.S. Ships to Participate in Phoenix Express 08

Four U.S. Navy ships will participate in Phoenix Express 2008 (PE 08), a U.S.-hosted, multinational exercise designed to strengthen regional maritime partnerships and foster the ability to operate jointly, from April 8-22.

Two ships from the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group, the USS Nassau (LHA 4) and the USS Nashville (LPD 13); along with the USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) and USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) will represent the United States in this two-week exercise. Twelve other nations were also invited to participate or send representatives, to include Spain, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, Italy, France, Malta, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania and Libya.

"Phoenix Express 2008 aims to improve maritime security in the Mediterranean Sea through increased interoperability and cooperation among regional allies from the United States, Africa and Europe," said Capt. Robert G. Lineberry, commander, Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group.

A comprehensive and robust training agenda will provide participants with numerous opportunities to operate together and develop productive relationships. Exercises like PE 08 enable participants to advance information sharing which is crucial to maintaining a region free from transnational threats, as well as enhance capability to conduct multinational peacekeeping missions.

PE 08 is comprised of two large phases, inport and at sea. The exercise will include communications, maritime interdiction operations (MIO), search-and-rescue operations (SAR), division tactics, medical training and ashore maritime coordination.

Inport events, hosted at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Crete, will focus on medical training, MIO training and combined Maritime Forces will conduct workshops in helicopter operations and safety, damage control and firefighting, navigation, deck seamanship, SAR, small boat operations and a leadership round table.

Underway events will focus on maritime domain awareness (MDA) and the automatic identification system (AIS) including interaction between forces afloat and a maritime operations center ashore. Combined Maritime Forces will also conduct serials in force protection, MIO, SAR, RAS, towing and helicopter operations.

"PE 08 demonstrates U.S. and partner nations' commitment to regional stability and maritime security. This exercise will allow all participants to become more familiar and continue to build our partnerships," said Lineberry.

PE 08 is the third annual exercise in a long-term effort to improve regional cooperation and maritime security.

NASSAU ESG Enters 6th Fleet Area of Operations

The amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4) leads a formation of ships during an Atlantic Ocean crossing of the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew King)

USS NASSAU, At Sea (NNS) -- Six ships from the Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group (NAS ESG) entered the 6th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Feb. 25 as the strike group opens the first leg of its scheduled deployment.

Amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4); amphibious transport dock USS Nashville (LPD 13); amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48); guided-missile destroyers USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84); and guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) entered the AOR. The seventh vessel of the strike group, USS Albany (SSN 753), is expected to deploy from its homeport in Norfolk at a later date.

While in the area, the NAS ESG will assist Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe (CNE) conduct the full range of maritime operations and theater security cooperation in concert with coalition, joint, interagency and other partners in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa. In doing so, the NAS ESG effectively becomes Commander, Task Force 62.

The NAS ESG will also support the 2008 CNE operational objectives to improve maritime safety and security in Europe and Africa; be prepared for any contingency; provide exceptional stewardship to the regional workforce and their families; advance the art and science of maritime operations; advance awareness of the harmony of partner and U.S. interests and activities; and support U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and other Navy component commanders.

The strike group will further support the other tenets of the Navy's maritime strategy, which includes forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

"Our Sailors and Marines are excited and ready to conduct a full range of maritime operations with our coalition and joint partners," said Capt. Robert G. Lineberry, commander, NAS ESG. "We look forward to supporting Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, enhancing maritime security, and furthering our partnerships in Europe and Africa through participation in exercises such as Phoenix Express 2008."

Following its mission in 6th Fleet, the strike group will move on to the 5th Fleet AOR to support Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and Theater Security Cooperation efforts.

MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

Nassau Strike Group Deploys

The Nassau Strike Group (NASSG), with its more than 2,800 Sailors and Marines, deployed Feb. 19-20 for a regularly scheduled deployment to the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

Commanded by Capt. Robert G. Lineberry, commander, Amphibious Squadron Six, the NASSG is made up of the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4); the amphibious transport dock ship USS Nashville (LPD 13); the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48); the guided-missile destroyers USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84); the attack submarine USS Albany (SSN 753); all homeported at Norfolk; and the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), homeported at Mayport, Fla.

Philippine Sea departed from Mayport on Feb. 19, with Ashland deploying from Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Va., on the same day. The remaining ships departed Naval Station Norfolk on Feb. 20.

During the past few months, the strike group has conducted several training exercises and passed multiple certifications in its pre-deployment preparation cycle.

MSO helps set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations seek to disrupt violent extremists' use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

While in theater, the strike group will also support the other tenets of the Navy's Maritime Strategy, which include forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, and humanitarian assistance/disaster response. The Maritime Strategy represents a new vision for the 21st century and establishes new capabilities to codify longstanding challenges, while maintaining our focus on enduring missions.

Nassau Strike Group Conducts VBSS training

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class David Wyscaver, Nassau Strike Group Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Nassau Strike Group’s (NASSG) visit, boarding, search and seizure (VBSS) teams participated in practice scenarios Sept. 25-27 as part of its Expeditionary Strike Group Integration (ESGINT) Exercise in preparation for its regularly scheduled deployment next year.

NASSG’s VBSS units included teams from USS Nashville (LPD 13), USS Ashland (LHD 48), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Ross (DDG 71). They all participated in the exercises to strengthen team building skills while working towards the VBSS teams’ overall goal of ensuring safety of the waterways by preventing piracy, the transportation of illegal goods and terrorism.

“Maritime interdiction operations are a primary mission for every strike group that goes overseas,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Jeff Lewetski, Aegis technician on board Bulkeley and member of the her VBSS team. “As a team, it is our job to conduct these boardings to carry out that mission. While on deployment we get off the ship and search any and every suspicious boat we can find. Doing this not only cuts down on terrorist activity that may take place, but also provides a safer environment for the fisherman that are out there trying to make a living.”

There are four VBSS threat levels. Levels 1 and 2 are low-threat situations, while a VBSS Level 3 involves non-compliance after an official request to inspect a ship in sovereign waters. Level 4 would involve overt armed resistance. Lewetski explained that Bulkeley’s team executed two VBSS exercises, one of which was a non-compliant boarding.

“As a sweep/security team member, I and the rest of the team are responsible for verifying the number of crew members on board and sweeping the ship for any type of cargo that may be unsafe or unauthorized,” Lewetski explained.

In order to conduct realistic training scenarios, the NASSG employs the services of Training Support Vessel Prevail (TSV-1), a 224-foot ship used to replicate a suspicious vessel for the VBSS teams. Once Prevail has been identified as "suspicious," teams then replicate their boarding, search and seizure procedures in order to hone their skills in a safe and life-like environment.

“The (strike group) has definitely benefited from using Prevail as a training platform during ESGINT,” said Lt.j.g. Reynel Saa, Nassau Strike Group VBSS officer. “It’s been a great opportunity to work out some kinks, sharpen our skills and prepare for the upcoming deployment.”

According to Lewetski, there are many benefits and advantages as to why these exercises are important to both the mission and readiness of the strike group.

“Every mock boarding we do together as a team builds our ability to conduct efficient and safe boardings,” he explained. “When we are in theater, on an unfamiliar boat, we don’t have time to stop and think. Once we get on board everything needs to get done as fast and as safely as possible. The more we practice the easier that will be.”

VBSS Sailors face many different challenges, obstacles and risks when conducting each and every mission, to include the chances of being attacked, experiencing rebellion and even suffering a casualty.

“It’s definitely a dangerous evolution but these guys receive the proper training and with that training they should be able to respond to any threat,” said Saa.

The ability to perform VBSS helps to set the conditions for security and stability in the foreign maritime environment, as well as complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations. It also assists in disrupting the use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport hostile personnel, weapons or other material.

The next certification step for NASSG and the VBSS teams will occur during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in Nov., when each unit will have the responsibility of successfully completing a boarding order outlining a particular VBSS mission.

ESGINT is the second of three pre-deployment exercises designed to test the fundamental capabilities and shipboard interoperability between the NASSG and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Currently preparing for its regularly scheduled 2008 deployment, the NASSG is made up of more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines, and projects sea power ashore by maintaining the capability of landing amphibious forces by helicopters, amphibious track vehicles, air cushion landing craft, and assault craft whenever and wherever the need arises.

Nassau SG Completes Deck Landing Qualifications During ESGINT

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cory Rose, Nassau Strike Group Public Affairs Office
Navy helicopter squadron detachments of the Nassau Strike Group (NASSG) and members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) Air Combat Element (ACE) recently completed deck landing qualifications (DLQs) during the strike group’s Expeditionary Strike Group Integrated exercise (ESGINT).

Navy pilots from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 46, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, and Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier pilots successfully and safely completed DLQ’s as the strike group readies to deploy early next year.

DLQ’s are conducted to allow both pilots and the shipboard flight deck crews to earn certifications necessary for deployment. This is the second round of qualifications for pilots assigned to the strike group, the first conducted during the NASSG’s Tactical Commander’s Amphibious Training underway period last August.

“Doing this type of training is extremely important to the readiness strike group,” explained Cmdr. Jeff Jatczak, officer in charge of Tactical Air Control Squadron 21 Det. 2, who oversees all flight operations for the strike group. “Once we deploy, we need to be able to get the aircraft out to the ships, and they’ve got to be able to operate off of them, in many different environments, both day and night. This is very important to our expeditionary and stealth capabilities for going ashore.”

While the requirement may be a routine for strike groups as they prepare for deployment, the experience was a first for some of the pilots involved.

“This is the first time, other than initial flight training that we have landed on a Navy ship,” said Marine Corps Capt. Buck Sessoms, the ACE’s senior ‘Huey’ pilot and Weapons Tactics Instructor (WTI) for the ACE’s Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 365. “During initial flight training in Pensacola, we landed on a ship during controlled, daytime conditions, but it was very benign. Here, we are expected to be qualified during daytime and nighttime conditions and it’s quite a bit different.”

“They are coming out here to a totally different environment,” explained Jatczak. “Different things happen in terms of winds, sea states, deck movement, and the lighting of things all around the ship. All of these things play much differently than from a stationary air field.”

According to Jatczak, pilots go through hours of classroom training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., to give them a better idea of the procedures and conditions they will face prior to coming to the strike group ships. Pilots will then come to the ships to familiarize themselves with their new environment and then attempt the qualifications under the mentoring eyes of Marine WTI’s and the ship’s Air Department crew members.

During the DLQ’s, pilots conduct what are commonly referred to as ‘touch and go’s’ where an aircraft takes-off from one location, touches down at another for a short period of time and then returns to its original departure point. Pilots will continue this process until instructors feel they are comfortable with the necessary procedures for landing and departing safely. Even after the DLQ’s are earned, pilots undergo further mission essential training to ensure pilots are mission-ready.

While DLQ’s test and certify the abilities of the pilots, it also affords the ship’s Air Department opportunities to familiarize and certify themselves for flight deck operations. Crews must also be tested and certified in the same way the pilots must be certified for deployment. Because personnel transfer on and off ships so often, and with the strike group deploying with a different MEU each time, familiarization and integration between the flight deck crews and the pilots is crucial for success.

“At the same time that the Marines are getting ready for the deployment and getting comfortable with the flight deck, the Air Department is getting ramped up and ready to go,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jeremy Vaughan, assistant air officer aboard USS Nassau (LHA-4). “Only about a third of us were on the last cruise, so this is an opportunity for our Aviation Boatswain’s Mate handlers to get qualified as well. We will have the senior guys out there first, they will land the aircraft and then we’ll bring in the junior guys to get them qualified with the different types of aircraft aboard.”

“It’s been great, obviously [flight deck crews] are going through training just like we are,” said Sessoms. “You’ll see times when they are being corrected by instructors on the deck just like we are being corrected in the aircraft. I think it’s understood that everyone needs training and everyone needs practice for proficiency and that’s exactly what we’re getting.”

ESGINT is the second of three pre-deployment exercises designed to test the fundamental capabilities and shipboard interoperability between the NASSG and the 24 MEU out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Currently preparing for its regularly scheduled 2008 deployment, the NASSG is made up of more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines, and projects sea power ashore by maintaining the capability of landing amphibious forces by helicopters, amphibious track vehicles, air cushion landing craft, and assault craft whenever and wherever the need arises.

For Nassau SG - Rapid Planning Leads to Rapid Execution

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ryan Steinhour, Nassau Strike Group Public Affairs


NORFOLK (NNS) -- Nassau Strike Group (NASSG) tested its Rapid Response Planning Process (R2P2) during Exercise Expeditionary Strike Group Integration (ESGINT), allowing for a means of planning for receiving, and ultimately executing orders from higher authorities quickly and efficiently.

ESGINT, which began Sept. 24, is the second of three pre-deployment exercises designed to test the fundamental capabilities and shipboard interoperability between the strike group vessels and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (24 MEU) out of Camp Lejune, N.C.

The entire Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) concept is centered on the proven flexibility and combat power of a combined amphibious readiness group and a Marine Expeditionary Unit.

NASSG combines the amphibious capabilities of three amphibious ships; the strike, anti-air, anti-surface and anti-subsurface capabilities of a cruiser, two destroyers, and an attack submarine; and the vertical capabilities of two helicopter squadron detachments.

These capabilities give the combatant commander a wider variety of options and enables sustained independent operations in more dynamic and asymmetric environments.

NASSG’s ability to receive orders, process those orders and act quickly is crucial.

“It is fundamentally important to the strike group, to be able to accurately and effectively execute R2P2,” said Lt. David Pedersen, NASSG future plans officer. “It is important for us to be able to rapidly take orders, develop a plan that is executable, effective, safe and then execute it.”

Along with the ships and Sailors in the NASSG, the main mission of the amphibious ships is to get the Marines of the 24 MEU to their intended destinations worldwide in order to carry out the needs of a combatant commander and to execute the overall strike group mission of promoting stability and security around the world.

Taking into account that any commander’s most valuable assets are the Sailors and Marines under his or her charge, it is important to have a solid plan before taking action.

“The ship’s support of Marines in their crisis response planning is an integral part of the overall ESG capabilities and purpose,” said Lt. Cmdr. John Bandy, NASSG information warfare chief. “The purpose is to respond to any crisis around the world, whether those are military, humanitarian or diplomatic.”

“As an Expeditionary Strike Group [transporting and inserting Marines] is one of our missions,” said Pedersen. “It is what we do. We take Marines to the fight, and get them in the fight.”

NASSG Sailors involved in the R2P2 process undergo hours of classroom training from Expeditionary Warfare Training Groups (EWTG) to familiarize them with the process.

These training evolutions are followed by a joint planning exercise to help the branches better work together and then practical, real-world scenarios, such as those being tested during ESGINT.

In these scenarios, Sailors have had opportunities to work alongside their Marine counterparts and go through the planning process to ensure that everyone involved is working together and integrating plans, tactics and procedures.

EWTG is focused on training in the doctrine, tactics, and techniques of naval expeditionary warfare, with a spotlight on amphibious operations.

ESGINT is the second of three pre-deployment exercises designed to test the fundamental capabilities and shipboard interoperability between the strike group vessels and the 24 MEU.

Six of the seven ships assigned to the NASSG include USS Nassau (LHA 4), USS Nashville (LPD 13), USS Ross (DDG 71), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Albany (SSN 753).

Currently preparing for its regularly scheduled 2008 deployment, NASSG is made up of more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines, and projects sea power ashore by maintaining the capability of landing amphibious forces by helicopters, amphibious track vehicles, air cushion landing craft, and assault craft whenever and wherever the need arises.

Nassau Strike Group Completes TCAT Underway

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Coleman Thompson, Expeditionary Strike Group 8 Public Affairs

A CH-53 Super Stallion, from the air combat element for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts deck landing qualifications on board amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4). Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group is preparing for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Coleman Thompson)

The Nassau Strike Group successfully completed its Tactical Commander Amphibious Training (TCAT) on Aug. 31 off the Atlantic Coast.

TCAT, the first in a series of preparatory underway periods that certifies the strike group for deployment, focuses on honing the ship’s proficiency in ship-to-shore operations, to include amphibious assault vehicle and helicopter training, as well as strike group integration with the Marine Corps’ 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

“It is important for us to integrate with the MEU as early as we can so that we can strengthen the Navy and Marine Corps team,” said Lt. Dave Pedersen, Nassau Strike Group plans and future operations officer. “We start building these relationships now because the better our relationship is, the better our Sailors and Marines are able to perform.”

“Since this was our first time operating together, we maintained a ‘crawl-walk-run’ approach throughout the week,” said Capt. Robert Lineberry, commander, Nassau Strike Group. “Overall the Blue/Green team performed flawlessly during this first at-sea period.”

“For a lot of these Sailors, this is the first time seeing Marines and Marine equipment on board an amphibious ship like this,” said Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Bargallo. “It has been an experience, especially in the well deck and on the flight deck.”

During TCAT’s amphibious training portion, Nassau launched numerous amphibious assault vehicles, or AAV’s, which transited between her and the other strike group amphibious ships that also set sail, USS Ashland (LSD 48) and USS Nashville (LPD 13).

“We put more AAV’s in the water than any of us have ever seen,” said Pedersen. “We’ve had over 30 AAV’s going to Ashland and over 20 AAV’s going to Nashville concurrently. This is all basic level stuff; this isn’t raiding the beaches of Normandy, but there’s a lot of repetition, repetition, repetition.”

During TCAT, the Air Combat Element from the 24th MEU also conducted several training flight scenarios as they received their deck landing qualifications (DLQ’s). For some, this was their first time landing on a Navy ship.

“The flight deck is always busy,” said Bargallo. “We’ve got the pilots of the Air Combat Element doing their DLQ’s, which means they’re getting their first time landing in a tight space. Most of these guys have come from the desert.”

While the strike group faced many of the challenges one would expect when coming together for the first time, Lineberry felt that the overall period was indeed successful.

“The Navy and Marine Corps team safely demonstrated a full range of Naval missions capable of assuring our allies and friends of our strength and commitment,” said Lineberry.

The Nassau Strike Group is currently preparing for its regularly scheduled 2008 deployment. Made up of more than 5,000 Sailors and Marines, the strike group projects sea power ashore by maintaining the capability of landing amphibious forces by helicopters, amphibious track vehicles, air cushion landing craft, and assault craft whenever and wherever the need arises.

A landing craft air cushion from Assault Craft Unit 4 departs the well deck of amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4) during training operations in preparation for the upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Cory Rose)

Nassau Conducts Well Deck Op as SG Trains for Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ryan Steinhour, Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1664, attached to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2 from Little Creek Amphibious Base, Va., along with other crafts from ACU 2, makes her approach on the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau (LHA 4). Nassau is underway with other elements of Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group in preparation for a deployment next year. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Andrew King)

USS NASSAU, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors of USS Nassau (LHA 4), along with Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked and disembarked landing craft utility (LCU) and landing craft air cushions (LCAC) on Aug. 26 during training operations for the upcoming strike group deployment.

Nassau is currently underway with USS Ashland (LSD 48) and USS Nashville (LPD 13) as the ships complete the Type Commander's Afloat Training period, or TCAT. TCAT is the first underway period in the strike group's six-month workup cycle.

LCUs and LCACs are crafts used to transport troops and equipment to the shore, while also being able to transport tracked or wheeled vehicles. With the Marines being the most valuable of those assets carried to shore, it is important for the Navy and Marine Corps team to work hand and hand during these operations to ensure safe and seamless operations.

“The training mission was well planned and executed by the Navy and Marine Corps team,” said Chief Warrant Officer Fred Tiedemann, officer in charge of Assault Craft Unit 4, Det. 3.

Though TCAT and the well-deck operations are part of the ship’s and strike group's regular amphibious certifications, it also marked the first time the Navy and Marine Corps team of the Nassau Strike Group have conducted tactical training operations together in this deployment cycle.

While the certifications are reoccurring, conducting these types of training operations are crucial because personnel transfer so often and the ship deploys with a different MEU each time.

“Every time we launch a craft we learn something,” said Chief Boatswain's Mate (SW) Anthony J. Costa, Nassau Well Deck control officer.

“Sometimes you launch and the water is as smooth as glass, and everything goes perfectly. However, sometimes you have environmental issues or wave action, and if everyone is not keen on what is going on at all times the craft can damage the ship on its way in,” he added.

“We have a very small margin for error,” said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Christopher L. Olschewski, member of Nassau’s 2nd Division. “Complications of any [kind] could cause death or serious bodily harm to a person.”

“Line handling mishaps are probably the most common problem with these training evolutions,” said Costa. “You just have to ensure that your people are qualified to be out there; and that is why we train.”

The Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group is made up of Sailors from six U.S. Navy ships and is augmented by warriors from the Marine Corps’ 24th MEU. The strike group is currently preparing for its regularly-scheduled deployment in early 2008.

Nassau ESG Conducts Group Sail

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ardelle L. Purcell, USS Nassau Public Affairs

The Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) set sail Aug. 24 for their first at-sea group exercise, in preparation for next year’s six-month deployment.

Comprised of USS Nassau (LHA 4), USS Nashville (LPD 13) and USS Ashland (LSD 48), as well as the 24th Marine Corps Expeditionary Unit (MEU), the ESG’s group sail provides the opportunity for crews to focus on teamwork and communications that will prove to be vital to the mission success of their 2008 deployment.

“The group sail is designed to provide basic amphibious training to the Amphibious Readiness Group ships prior to forming up with the rest of the ESG,” said Capt. James R. Boorujy, commanding officer of Nassau. "It includes working with all types of landing craft in the Navy and Marine Corps inventory as well as becoming proficient in ship handling, communication and live-fire exercises."

The ESG concept centers on the combined flexibility and readiness of a Navy amphibious readiness group and a MEU, augmented by surface combatant ships and a fast-attack submarine, armed with expanded offensive and defensive warfare capabilities, by land with embarked Marines, and at sea. This exercise is designed to forge the strike group into a cohesive, fighting team and represents a critical step in the pre-deployment training cycle.

The 24th MEU’s goal for the ESG group sail is to conduct evolutions that they would execute during the upcoming deployment and real-world operations.

“This is a great opportunity for our Marines to get familiar with the ship and its capabilities,” said Gunnery Sgt. Anthony M. Bargallo, non-commissioned officer in charge of Combat Cargo. "It helps us identify and iron out kinks and combat any potential operational problems. It also allows the Navy and Marine Corps team to take any steps necessary for assuring a smooth deployment."

Once the group sail is complete, Nassau and the other ships in the ESG will continue on to the next step of their Integrated Readiness Cycle.

Nassau is assigned to Commander Nassau Expeditionary Strike Group. The six ships and 5,000 Sailors and Marines allow warfighting naval amphibious forces to operate with joint and combined forces for combatant commanders.