PHIBRON/MEU Integration Training Underway

 

U.S. Marines assigned to Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (BLT 1/6), 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU)and Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) simulate launching a heavy package aviation raid with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264 (Reinforced). The 22nd MEU and Amphibious Squadron Six (PHIBRON-6) are underway for PHIBRON/MEU Integration Training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan G. Coleman/Released)

Navy/Marine Corps Team: Testing F-35B Lightning II Aircraft Aboard USS Wasp

By Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Michael T. Forbes, USS Wasp Public Affairs

AT SEA, ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Two F-35B Lightning II jets (BF-01 and BF-05) touched down aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) Aug. 12, kicking off week of Development Testing II (DT-II) where Wasp Sailors and Integrated Test Force (ITF) team members are testing and further validating the F-35B.

DT-II is the second of three test phases encompassing numerous milestone events including the first night operation at sea as well as the first launch and recovery of the F-35B at sea by a U.K. test pilot. The goal of this testing is to further define F-35B operating parameters aboard amphibious ships such as Wasp.

The F-35 Lightning II is the next generation strike aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force, as well as eight international partners. The jet combines advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Wasp is testing the F-35B, which has short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) capability, enabling it to operate from a wider range of ships and in support of expeditionary operations.

"It's a significant milestone for the F-35 program," said Capt. Erik Etz, Director, Test & Evaluation F-35 Naval Variants. "We're providing an envelope that will be utilized by Marine Corps and U.K. aviators when they go out and employ the aircraft in a real environment. The ability to operate at night is critical and so certainly the testing we're doing here will provide a significant amount of data so we can clear the envelope and clear the aircraft to operate day and night, when the Marine Corps takes the F-35B to initial operating capability in 2015."

Wasp and the ITF completed a major milestone when Lt. Col. C. R. Clift launched from the flight deck and landed safely, marking the first successful night launch and recovery of the F-35B at sea.

The pilots were pleased with the progress that the first night landings at sea represent. "It all went extremely well," said Clift. "Throughout the night we conducted eight successful launches and landings, so we're on target and quickly gaining experience with F-35B night operations at sea."

Launch and recoveries filled the first, second and third days at sea creating smooth, synchronized daytime operations. Wasp flight deck crew members were trained in advance of DT-II to prepare them for F-35B operations at sea, ensuring all those involved were ready to support DT-II.

"The crew itself has spent quite a bit of time up at Patuxent River working with the F-35B understanding how the aircraft operates," said Capt. Brian Teets, Wasp's commanding officer. "What we've been able to bring is a consistent platform to the F-35B to support their testing. It's the same ship with the same capabilities, providing consistency and stability as a reliable test platform. Employing a consistent test platform allows the team to find ways to optimize this new aircraft in the Marine Air Combat Element."

U.K. Squadron Leader Jim Schofield, a Royal Air Force pilot became the first international pilot to conduct sea-based launch and landing in the F-35B.

"It's exciting to see the integration of this new plane with the amphibious assault ships," said Schofield. "After a year leading up to this evolution, it's awesome to get here and start. And the crew has been especially accommodating and efficient at running these tests smoothly."

The historical milestones were not lost on Wasp crew members, but for most it was "business as usual", focusing on safety and effectiveness during flight operations at sea. Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class Ashley Geary gave the signal to launch BF-05 for the first night flight operations.

"It was fun knowing we're making history," said Geary. "We worked with the test team at Patuxent River for a week, learning about the F-35B and its operations. They took our suggestions on flight deck procedures, ensuring we were one team working together towards a successful mission. The launch went well, without a hitch."

The F-35 Lightning II is scheduled to replace 13 different legacy aircraft in the current U.S. defense inventory. Sea trials for the Navy's F-35C aircraft carrier variant are scheduled at the end of 2014.

 

 

French LCAT Visits Wasp

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase, Navy Public Affairs Support Element - East

USS WASP, At Sea (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) welcomed France's newest amphibious craft Feb. 7 as part of the joint operations that make an essential piece of Exercise Bold Alligator 2012.

A landing catamaran, or LCAT, entered the well deck of Wasp as a test of the interoperability between the French craft and U.S. amphibious vessels. France is one of 11 nations taking part in Bold Alligator.

The landing craft, which originated from the French amphibious assault ship, Mistral (L9013), entered Wasp's well deck slowly before backing and returning to rest, making sure future visits could be safe and smooth.

"After loading with the Wasp and previously with USS San Antonio (LPD 17), we know we can load our LCATs with the amphibious well decks of American ships," said Lt. Cmdr. Arnaud Tranchant, the French liaison officer to Wasp.

The LCAT, called Engin de débarquement amphibie rapide (EDA-R), is a double-hulled landing craft. Lt. Cmdr. George H. Pastoor, lead planner for Bold Alligator said EDA-R can go 25 knots, allowing it to transport troops and equipment to shore faster than most landing craft.

On D-Day, the first day of shorefront operations for Bold Alligator, EDA-R played a crucial mission for the French forces, along with the Bold Alligator team at-large.

"We were the first to go into the enemy area," said Tranchant. The LCAT was responsible for putting French troops and supplies in "Garnet" (a hostile nation in Bold Alligator's scenario), and helped make it possible for U.S. Sailors and Marines to go ashore and complete their objectives.

For exercise participants, loading EDA-R into Wasp's well deck is an opportunity to ensure joint operations are just as effective in training as in real-combat scenarios.

"During a joint operation, you want to make sure that a force of combined nations has compatible equipment," said Pastoor. "You want to make sure your radios can talk to each other, that your aircraft can land on each other's flight decks. That's what this is about."

Pastoor said that EDA-R's visit was just one of the operations taken to ensure interoperability. Before D-Day, all involved forces practiced combat enhancement and force integration training, or CET/FIT. This included extensive and ongoing joint training, such as landing French and U.S. helicopters on each other's platforms.

"We want to make sure every force, every man is ready to land," said Pastoor.

After EDA-R docked in Wasp, U.S. service members took a quick tour of the craft before its departure.

"We cannot do these missions alone - Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya," said Pastoor. "Now and in the future, when we work together and work together successfully, we accomplish more."

Wasp Sets Stage For Bold Alligator 2012

By By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Caleb Cooper, USS Wasp (LHD 1) Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) set sail Jan. 30 to initiate the live phase of exercise Bold Alligator 2012.

Wasp is serving as the flagship for Bold Alligator, the largest amphibious exercise conducted by the Navy/Marine Corps team in the past 10 years. It is also the first live, East Coast, Expeditionary Strike Group/Marine Expeditionary Brigade-level exercise in about a decade.

"Realistic training at sea is essential to the Navy and Marine Corps' ability to train like we fight," said Capt. Gary M. Boardman, Wasp's commanding officer.

Twenty-five ships, and 20,000 Sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen are participating in the two-week exercise, which runs through Feb. 13. Commands involved include Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG), Expeditionary Strike Group 2 (ESG-2), 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 24 Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Naval Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) as well as coalition ships, units, and observers from 12 other countries.

Training scenarios are based on a continuum of situations that the Navy/Marine Corps team is likely to face in today's environment and are built in order to enhance the varied capabilities that allow amphibious forces to conduct forcible entry against an opposing military force; as well as crisis response, humanitarian assistance, and building partnerships.

"Exercises like Bold Alligator allow the Navy and Marine Corps team to exercise its full spectrum of expeditionary capabilities, to include working with our coalition partners, in complex environments," said Boardman.

"Bold Alligator is about building partnerships and ensuring the amphibious force is ready when called. Wasp is looking forward to leading the way as the flagship for Expeditionary Strike Group Two and 2nd Marine Expeditionary Battalion."

Wasp's underway is the culmination of weeks of certification training and ship preparations to include taking on numerous supplies, food stores, and hundreds of Marines, foreign officers and support staffs

"We have been extremely busy onloading the personnel and resources needed to conduct an exercise of this magnitude," said Chief Warrant Officer Chad Mader, Wasp's Combat Cargo Officer. "Getting everyone to work together is one of the goals of this evolution, so when we need [this force], we have the ability and knowledge to operate as one cohesive unit."

Bold Alligator 2012 serves as an opportunity to revitalize an integrated, Navy/Marine Corps approach to amphibious operations, strengthening their traditional role as fighters from the sea.

USS Wasp Prepares for Bold Alligator

Note: For my east coast friends, standby for a major east coast military exercise.

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Andrew Rivard, USS Wasp Public Affairs

USS WASP, At sea (NNS) -- USS Wasp (LHD 1) returned to sea Jan. 9 to conduct qualifications in preparation for Bold Alligator 2012 the nation's largest joint/multinational amphibious assault exercise in the past 10 years.

To properly prepare for Bold Alligator, Wasp will spend the next week conducting flight and well deck operations to allow the ship and various Marine Corps elements to become certified for amphibious operations at sea.

During this at-sea period, Wasp's crew will work jointly with U.S. Marines to land and launch AV-8B Harrier aircraft and amphibious hovercraft known at landing craft air cushion (LCAC)

"We are treating this training as sort of a dress rehearsal," said Ensign Anthony Despota, Wasp's Combat Information Center officer. "Not only will we conduct a multitude of flight and well deck operations but the Combat Systems department will conduct operations with various units while underway to test and ensure that all of our equipment will be working properly in time for Bold Alligator."

Exercise Bold Alligator 2012 will focus on the fundamental aspects and roles of amphibious operations to improve amphibious force readiness and proficiency for executing the six core capabilities of the Maritime Strategy - forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security and humanitarian assistance/disaster response.

"Wasp's crew will be working 24-7 conducting a variety of operations during the day and well into the night so that we can ensure that no matter what we have thrown at us we can handle the situation with a calm head and successfully complete our tasking," said Despota.

Despota said these evolutions are critical to the success of Bold Alligator and all future Navy-Marine Corps missions.

"This underway period will help us work out any kinks we may come across," said Despota. "Successfully completing Bold Alligator will help to ensure that we as a naval force will be able to complete mission tasking when directed."

The successful completion of exercise preparations is dually critical for Wasp as it is slated to serve as the Bold Alligator flagship, placing Wasp in a high visibility position during the entire course of the exercise.

"Wasp will host numerous distinguished visitors including high-ranking government officials and foreign military personnel," said Despota. "Bold Alligator is an all-hands evolution requiring all personnel onboard to play their parts in helping ensure the exercise is successful."

Bold Alligator participants include elements of Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 2, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Bold Alligator 2012 will allow U.S. service members and coalition partners the opportunity to exercise amphibious operations in a real-world environment and revitalize the Navy Marine Corps' vital core competencies.

The exercise will run from Jan. 30 through Feb. 12.

USS Wasp Concludes JSF Testing

An Aviation Boatswains Mate maneuvers BF-04, bottom, the Marine Corps variant of the Joint Strike Fighter F-35B Lighting II, after a vertical landing. The BF-02 (back), the second F-35 Lighting II approaches the flight deck for landing on the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). The F-35 B was designed to perform short takeoffs and vertical landings to provide air power for the Marine Air Ground Task Force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tommy Lamkin/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Tommy Lamkin, USS Wasp Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) returned to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk Oct. 21 after spending three weeks at sea hosting the initial sea trials of the F-35B Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The first F-35B landed on WASP's flight deck Oct. 3, beginning an 18-day test period for the aircraft. During the testing, two F-35B Marine Corps test jets (BF-2 and BF-4) accomplished vertical landings and short take-offs under various conditions.

While underway, the world's first supersonic short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) fighter logged more than 28 hours of flight time and completed 72 short take-offs and 72 vertical landings. Wasp crew members worked around the clock with pilots, engineers, mechanics and a wide-array of aeronautical professionals, both military and civilian to meet the mission of the F-35B sea trials.

"Wasp Air Department personnel and the JSF team started working together from day one," said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Curcio, Wasp's assistant air officer and JSF program officer. "Starting initially with the leadership interacting to set the vision for the ship trials, we worked a top-down approach to gradually bring in more people from each respective team.

"This ensured that, from planning to execution, every detail was tended to and no stone was left unturned. Ultimately, this group was well ahead of the power curve at every juncture," he said.

The Wasp and the JSF team have prepared for these sea trials for more than a year. The ship, which typically accommodates the AV-8B Harrier, had to receive modifications and installation of test monitoring equipment in preparation for the F-35B's arrival.

"We used Harrier operations as a baseline from which to deviate. Working with the JSF team, we identified the operational differences between the AV-8B and the F-35B, and we trained to those differences." said Curcio.
The trials are the first of three scheduled sea based developmental test events for the STOVL variant. One of the goals was to collect environmental data on the deck using instrumentation to measure the F-35B's sound, power, and thermal impact during flight operations.

Ansis Kalnajs, better known as "AK," a topside design and integration technical warrant for Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), and his team of 31 engineers, collected data to capture the effects of the F-35 on flight deck and superstructure components.

"We have been collecting data on how the main engine affects deck edge equipment," said Kalnajs, "as well as thermal load stresses to the structure and the acoustic effects."

"We got a sufficient amount of data and really good assessments for the road ahead," he said.

Also being tested is a newer non-skid deck surface, Thermion, which is supported by a mechanical bond of ceramic and aluminum that makes the surface more resistant to extreme heat and better endures the wear and tear of flight operations. The Thermion covers landing spot nine on the flight deck, a small area used for vertical landings.

"The Thermion shows no signs of heat stress, which is good for the F-35, and eventually good for all surface ships," said Kalnajs.

During the testing period the Wasp and JSF team demonstrated the F-35B's at-sea capabilities for the Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus; Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James Amos; senior military officers; and JSF international partners as well as members of the national media.

The testing for the F-35 and its sea-based operations will continue over the next several years.
"It is imperative that we build off that basic knowledge for the next sea trials," said Curcio.

The next sea trial, DT-2 is scheduled for 2013 after Wasp receives additional modifications for F-35B operations.

The F-35B is one of three Joint Strike Fighter variants. The 'B' was designed for use by the U.S. Marine Corps, and is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings for use on amphibious ships or expeditionary airfields to provide air power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The F-35B will replace the AV- 8B Harrier and will continue test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.

F-35B Completes Initial Shipboard Vertical Landing Aboard USS Wasp

From Joint Strike Fighter Program Office Public Affairs

USS WASP, At Sea (NNS) -- The Navy and Marine Corps Team made naval aviation history Oct. 3 as the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) test aircraft BF-2 landed safely on USS Wasp's (LHD 1) flight deck, the first at-sea vertical landing for the Marine Corps' F-35 JSF version.

Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Fred Schenk landed BF-2 at 3:12 pm.

"It was exactly like we predicted," said Schenk. "But that's because of all the hard work and extensive preparation done by the Wasp and JSF team."

The first vertical landing is part of the initial ship trials for the F-35B which started Monday and is expected to last two weeks. The tests are scheduled to collect data on the aircraft's ability to perform short take-offs and vertical landings on a ship at sea, as well as determine how the aircraft integrates with the ship's landing systems, and deck and hangar operations.

This test period, the first of three scheduled at-sea test periods over the course of the development program, will also collect environmental data on the deck through added instrumentation to measure the F-35B's impact to flight deck operations.

"The first at sea vertical landing is a huge milestone," said Marine Corps Col. Roger Cordell, military site director for F-35 test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. "We're still early in this test period, and we expect to learn a lot more, but this is a great step toward delivering the capability to the fleet."

Wasp spent time in a shipyard earlier this year, preparing for the F-35 test period; adding specialized instrumentation to measure deck environmental effects.
"It is no small feat to put together sea trials," said Vice Adm. David Venlet, F-35 Program Executive Officer. "This test was planned to happen on 3 October back in early spring of this year and the team delivered on schedule. Signs of dependable performance are emerging across broad aspects of the development program. Professionals from the Navy, Marine Corps and industry team of Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems and Pratt and Whitney and Rolls Royce continue to work tirelessly to deliver this aircraft to the fleet."

"Every time an aircraft is first tested at sea we learn a great deal and the data collected from this event will inform us about the further development work necessary to successfully integrate the F-35B on large-deck amphibious ships. By all accounts, we're off to a great start today," Venlet said.

The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter for the U.S. Marine Corps, capable of short take-offs and vertical landings for use on amphibious ships or expeditionary airfields to provide air power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The F-35B will replace Marine AV-8B Harriers and F-18 Hornets and is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.

In addition to being the first ship to successfully land the F-35B, USS Wasp was also the first ship to host the V-22 Osprey during shipboard trials in October 2007.

Summary information regarding the performance of the F-35B ship trials will be made available after the completion of the test period.

USS Wasp Returns From Deployment

The timing could not be better for the 1100 Sailors and 365 Marines onboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp.

USS Wasp Gets Underway to Redeploy Marine Assets

NORFOLK (NNS) -- USS Wasp (LHD 1) departed Norfolk Naval Station April 9 for the European Command Area of Responsibility to support the redeployment of U.S. Marine Corps assets in theater.

Wasp, commanded by Capt. Daniel H. Fillion, is a multipurpose amphibious assault ship homeported in Norfolk.

The Wasp-class of amphibious warship has as its primary mission, the support of a Marine Landing Force and is specifically designed to accommodate Landing Craft, Air Cushion for fast troop movement over the beach and AV-8B Harrier II vertical/short takeoff and landing jets which provide close-in air support for the assault force. LHD 1, which is 844 feet long with a beam of 106 feet, also accommodates the full range of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters, conventional landing craft, and amphibious vehicles.

The Wasp is crewed by 1,075 Sailors and can accommodate 1,600 embarked Marines.

USS Wasp Undocks Ahead of Schedule At NNSY

U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Ospreys, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263, Marine Aircraft Group 29, prepare for flight on the deck of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1). Wasp is on surge deployment to the Middle East carrying the Osprey to its first combat deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary L. Borden

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- USS Wasp (LHD 1), in Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) for an eight-month docking phased maintenance availability (DPMA), undocked Sept. 18, one day ahead of schedule.

"Wasp has met or exceeded all key events in this availability, and the early undocking sets the stage for future success," said Charlie Caudle, NNSY project superintendent.

"[The undocking was] a very long and tedious process that went smooth as silk, which is exactly as it should be," said Capt. Dan Fillion, Wasp commanding officer. "The whole event from planning to execution was a superlative example of the excellent maintenance team on Wasp."

In addition to Caudle, the Wasp team is headed by deputy project superintendents Bryan Holberton and Lt. Cmdr. Robin Ball.

The fiscal year 2008 DPMA has more than 124,000 man-days of work, with NNSY performing more than 24,000 man-days of core work on the ship's elevators, forced draft blowers and boilers. The remainder of the DPMA work is being done by BAE Systems and the alteration installation team. Major jobs include a new local area network system, fuel oil compensation stability and MV-22 Osprey modifications which allow the ship to operate, maintain and transport the tilt rotor aircraft effectively.

"The Wasp team has done a phenomenal job of coordinating the efforts of multiple organizations to integrate required maintenance and modernization work to be successful at this stage of the availability," said NNSY's Commander, Capt. Richard D. Berkey.

According to Berkey, this unique availability tested the limits of the NNSY-industry partnership in Hampton Roads.

"The collaboration at the project level with all parties was critical to making this successful and the relationships have been very positive and productive," said Berkey.

NNSY, a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) field activity, is one of four public shipyards that play a major role in maintaining America's fleet and providing wartime surge capability to keep the nation's ships ready for combat.

HM-15 Lifts Up Crisis Response Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian May, USS Wasp Public Affairs
During a crisis response exercise, MH-53E Sea Dragons of Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadron (HM) 15 transport Marines attached to 4th Platoon 2nd Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) ashore from USS Wasp (LHD 1). Coalition forces are conducting a crisis response exercise to enhance its capabilities to respond to a host nation's request for assistance during a time of a crisis. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sandra M. Palumbo)

Helicopter Mine Counter Measure Squadron (HM) 15 "Blackhawks" are providing air lift support for personnel and equipment aboard the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during a crisis response exercise off the coast of Bahrain that began Nov. 1.

"We provide heavy-lift capabilities," said Lt. Scott Tompkins, a pilot for HM-15. "If that means carrying troops or cargo, the aircraft is capable of doing either."

HM-15 uses the MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter, an aircraft that is capable of carrying 55 people, or a payload of up to 16 tons.

Many of the pilots and air crew of HM-15 have already experienced crisis response scenarios during their careers.

"Most of the pilots here were involved with [Hurricane] Katrina, so they have the experience with real life situations that may occur," said Tompkins.

While HM-15 pilots and air crew have practical experience, they still find this exercise helpful for future crisis response situations.

"By practicing this exercise, it will make everything smoother and will allow us to respond faster to people in need," said Aviation Systems Warfare Operator 2nd Class (NAC) Brad Johnson, an air crewman for HM-15.

"You train like you fight, fight like you train," added Johnson.

While aboard for the crisis response exercise, HM-15 is responsible for offloading Marines to secure an area for use during crisis response, as well as other personnel and equipment.

"By getting [the Marines] to their location during this scenario, it allows us to have a secure perimeter to land so we can get personnel and supplies to the area," said HM-15 Leading Chief Petty Officer, Senior Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate (AW) Gary Dilts.

The crisis response exercise is being conducted Nov. 1-7 to enhance coalition forces' capabilities in case humanitarian assistance and disaster relief is requested from a regional nation in a time of crisis.

Crisis Response Exercise Underway

Marines stop and salute the ensign as they embark onto amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) in Bahrain in preparation for a crisis response exercise. Coalition forces are conducting a crisis response exercise Nov. 1-7 to enhance their capabilities to respond to a host nation's request for assistance during a time of crisis. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sandra M. Palumbo)