Home > Forum > Articles > April, 2010 > Joint Warrior hones anti-submarine warfare skills

Joint Warrior hones anti-submarine warfare skills

Related Topics (11)

More related topics

April 18, 2010
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nikki Smith Destroyer Squadron 24 Public Affairs

USS LABOON, North-Atlantic Ocean -- Distant pinging can be heard through the bulkheads of the guided missile destroyer USS Laboon  (DDG 58) while sailors aboard the ship conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises April 17 and 18.

The ASW exercise is part of the pre-deployment certification event Joint Warrior 10-1, a United Kingdom-led, semi-annual event that encompasses multinational and multiwarfare exercises.

"This exercise is really hard because of the littoral waters," said Navy Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Antonio Howard, a sonar operator aboard Laboon. "Because of the shallow waters we can't use our towed array, and our active sonars are picking up a lot of return from the bottom of the ocean."

Laboon compensates for the inability to use the tactical towed array sonar (TACTAS) by using its active sonar as the main tool to detect submarines that may be hiding in the jagged ocean bottom. TACTAS, acting as a set of underwater ears, is a passive way for the ship to listen to activity around it, whereas the active sonar emits noise, which presents a greater risk of being heard by nearby vessels.

Aerographer's mates play a large role in the ASW exercise as well.

"Our job is to examine the current environmental data and give tactical recommendations based on the environment the ship is operating in," said Aerographer's Mate 1st Class Scott Belt, a naval oceanography forecaster.

By observing and collecting oceanographic data about the operating area, aerographer's mates can make educated recommendations on where to place sonars and where submarines might be hiding.

A large area of responsibility in any ASW exercise is air operations. Helicopters, with a clear view from overhead, have the ability to arrive at plotted choke points or possible hiding spots very quickly. Aircraft are able to track submarines and communicate that information back to the ships.

While it is rare to work with multiple submarines in an exercise, Joint Warrior also presents the unique opportunity to work with German, French and British submarines.

Navy Lt. Matthew Maples, Destroyer-Squadron 24 ASW officer, said that he was very excited to have the chance to work with other NATO countries.

All countries have different ways of approaching the same challenges, so it puts Laboon at an advantage to be able to work with allies' during a practice exercise," said Maples. "If they work with NATO allies again, this experience will cut down on any confusion in a real-world event"

As the ASW exercise came to a close, Laboon and the other vessels involved have gained a deeper respect for the capabilities and talents each participating country brings, learning new lessons in how to combat submarines that they will be able to use in future ASW exercises and real-world events.

"We're having a blast, these challenges are really great. My sonar techs and I haven't had a chance to operate in an environment like this, so it's another facet of sonar ASW that we get to become more proficient in," said Navy Lt. j.g. Katrina Hansen, Laboon's ASW officer. "Any opportunity that we get to do this is fantastic."

Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic (CSFTL), responsible for the training and readiness across the Atlantic, oversees the U.S. participation in the exercise. DESRON 24 leads the Joint Warrior task group as the independent deployment certification executive agent for CSFTL.

The exercise promotes Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet's three focus areas: conducting safe and effective fleet operations to achieve the mission, providing ready maritime forces for global assignment and teaming with allies and partners in execution of the maritime strategy.

Joint Warrior 10-1 began April 12 off the coast of Scotland, where the participating navies are practicing joint maritime operations in a controlled environment.

Nations participating in the exercise are Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States.
 

Find more articles tagged with:

Comments: 0

Your comment: