Last modified Wed., June 14, 2006 - 04:04 PM
Originally created Thursday, June 15, 2006

Mayport Ships Are 'Warriors'

From COMDESRON 24

USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and USS Boone (FFG 28) perform Divisional Tactics (DIVTACS) with USS Monterey (CG 61) for maneuvering formation at sea.
Photo by PHAA John Suits

Three ships led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (COMDESRON) 24 left the east coast June 5-6 to participate with naval forces from the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Australia, France and Spain in Neptune Warrior, a coalition course in the North Atlantic.

Capt. Robert Kapcio, Commander, DESRON 24, and his staff are embarked aboard Norfolk-based USS Monterey (CG 61) and used this opportunity to evaluate the ship and crew in addition to Mayport-based USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and USS Boone (FFG 28) to certify each ready for deployment later this year.

Neptune Warrior is normally held three times a year and is open to allied navies with assets available to participate. COMDESRON 24 participated in the same course held in February. The staff was impressed with the complex and challenging scenarios and is looking forward to working with the new Task Force to build coalition relationships and enhance coordination between units.

''We are looking forward to a complex course and the opportunity to train with other navies,'' said Lt. Cmdr. Rick Hughes, DESRON 24 Operations Officer. ''We were very impressed with Neptune Warrior last February and I believe that it produces great training situations that we don't normally encounter.''

Neptune Warrior is designed to improve interoperability between allied navies as well as to prepare the participants for a role in a Coalition Joint Task Force during upcoming deployments. Neptune Warrior is the United Kingdom's advanced certification course and is on par with a U.S. Joint Task Force Exercise, which normally certifies U.S. ships.

Joint Maritime Operational Training Staff (JMOTS) Northwood in the United Kingdom is leading the Neptune Warrior course. Unlike many Navy exercises, the object of each Task Group will not be the destruction of the other Task Group, but rather to act and interact in accordance with their ''simulated country's'' policies and rules of engagement. The realistic scenario was crafted to better approximate current real world situations and is primarily why Neptune Warrior is considered a course rather than an exercise.

''We're there for learning,'' said Capt. Robert Oldani, USS Monterey's Commanding Officer. ''Accomplishing the learning objectives is more important than actually winning the particular battle or event at hand.''

''Aboard USS Monterey we are looking to maximize learning opportunities. There will be plenty of training opportunities from a watch team concept, working together and learning together, to individual watch station and warfare qualifications,'' said Oldani.

This month's Neptune Warrior course included more than 95 air, ground and sea assets.