USS Vicksburg Achieves Surface Fire Support Milestone

NSFS is a role typically performed by surface ships with major caliber gun systems in direct support of an amphibious landing force. Due to the inherent dangers of firing into an area on land where friendly spotters and troops may be located, Mayport-based cruisers and destroyers are required to obtain and demonstrate a certain level of NSFS proficiency before they are allowed to execute fire missions inside an Amphibious Objective Area (AOA).

Normal employment for the MK86 5" Gun Weapon System aboard a Cruiser is as simple as detecting a track on radar, developing a fire solution via computer, and then firing the main batteries on target. Shooting NSFS missions is much more involved, utilizing grid references, altitudes, and GPS positions that must be provided by a spotter ashore to a NSFS team on the firing ship.

The NSFS team then plots the position, trains the main batteries on the target, and fires when ordered. The Navy no longer maintains a land-based firing range on the east coast, so Atlantic Fleet ships now conduct their firing qualification runs using the Integrated Maritime Portable Acoustic Scoring and Simulation (IMPASS) system provided by EWTGLANT.

The IMPASS system utilizes a combination of unique GPS-equipped buoys and sonar equipment to provide ships with a synthetic land mass to fire upon. After rounds are fired, the buoys detect the explosions and a computer determines the accuracy of the mission before assigning a final score.

Evaluated firing missions included Area Target, Danger Close, Refire, Coordinated Illumination, Countermech Series (simulated tanks ashore), and the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). Vicksburg's NSFS team was graded on firing accuracy, teamwork, radio communications and efficiency, and in the end posted an overall score of 95.8 percent, placing them well above the Cruiser class average.

"We've put in a lot of time and effort into our training, and today it paid off," said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Steven Smith, one of Vicksburg's 5 inch gun operators. "I'm extremely proud of being on this team. Besides, any time you get a chance to put more than ten rounds down range, you know you're having a great day!"

USS Vicksburg is assigned to Commander, Carrier Strike Group Eight and will deploy as part of the USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) Strike Group.