Grandmasters Provide LAMPS Capabilities To IKE Strike Group

Aboard the cruisers and frigates are embarked detachments of SH-60B helicopters, along with pilots, aircrew, maintainers and parts required to keep them in the air.

When the Eisenhower CSG crosses the Atlantic in late February, LAMPS detachments will be aboard USS Vicksburg, USS Gettysburg, and USS Halyburton, totaling six aircraft and more than 75 personnel. The "249th Cutlass Strike Force" is comprised entirely of HSL-46 Grandmaster aircraft, maintainers and aircrew stationed at NS Mayport. During the recently completed IKE CSG Composite Training Unit Exercise the embarked detachments quickly became indispensible assets, providing round-the-clock Surface Surveillance and Control (SSC) and logistical support between ships as far as 80 miles apart from one another.

In addition, the SH-60Bs antisubmarine capabilities were put to the test over the course of the exercise as Grandmasters worked in coordination with P-3Cs and SH-60Fs, tracking live submarines using sonar, radar and infrared technology.

Detachment Four "Varsity," the air department of USS Vicksburg (CG 69), flew 165 flight hours in support of C2X. Its mission variety ran the table, from Antisubmarine Warfare to Medical Evacuation. With only 17 maintainers, the air det kept Cutlass 467 and 475 fully mission capable through successful submarine tracking exercises, multilayer battle problems, and parts and personnel transfers.

Detachment Nine flew 175 flight hours aboard USS Gettysburg and was an integral part of the exercise as well.

The "Wrecking Crew" also executed a successful MEDEVAC, conducted SSC, and enjoyed great success in the ASW arena, conducting a successful simulated torpedo attack against a live submarine.

"We got a nice mix of mission tasking in preparation for our deployment," said Lt. Mike Henderson, the detachment Operations Officer. "It's not every day we get to track and practice attacks on a real sub."

The "Chupacabras" of Detachment Two executed more than 140 flight hours in support of Strike Group operations. They conducted extensive counter-piracy and oil platform defense training with USS Halyburton (FFG 40).

The Grandmaster detachments are currently debarked from their ships, preparing their aircraft for thorough pre-deployment inspections. They will return just before the Strike Group departs in late February.