USS Carter Hall participates in PASSEX

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Chelsea Mandello | Officers and enlisted members from the Egyptian navy board a rigid hull inflatable boat in the well deck of amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) during a passing exercise (PASSEX) in the Red Sea. Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Mandello/Released)  

USS CARTER HALL, USCENTCOM, AT SEA

04.07.2013

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Chelsea Mandello 

Amphibious Squadron Four

USS CARTER HALL, At Sea – Amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) participated in a passing exercise (PASSEX) with Egyptian naval forces April 7.

PASSEX is an exercise to test the cooperation and communication between two or more navies, and also prepares ships for possible wartime scenarios or humanitarian relief efforts.

“Today, we had members of the Egyptian navy visit the Carter Hall,” said Cmdr. Greg Blyden, commanding officer of Carter Hall. “The Egyptians were very professional and appreciative of the visit and we were more than happy to have them aboard and show them some of our operational abilities.”

The evolutions involved visit, board, search and seizure operations, flight deck fire drills, landing craft unit operations and small boat operations.

“Everyone was very professional and polite,” said Lt. j.g. Phillip Casken, training officer aboard Carter Hall. “This was a good example of international cooperation and overall I think it was a very good learning experience for the crew and Egyptians.”

During the exercise, ships from both nations participated in an officer exchange so that both sides could acquire a better understanding of the capabilities and methods of the other navy.

“It is fantastic to be here,” said Egyptian Lt. Sherif El Quisy. “It has been very nice to come aboard and to see the different operations of the ship.”

Carter Hall’s goal during PASSEX was to demonstrate the ability to react to a crisis, properly maneuver for compliant VBSS training, and demonstrate the capability of the amphibious Navy to quickly, safely and efficiently transport large numbers of materials and personnel to the beach.

Carter Hall is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Squadron 4 or USS Carter Hall (LSD 50), visit: www.navy.mil/local/phibron4/ and http://www.facebook.com/USSCarterHall?ref=hl.

• Date Taken: 04.07.2013
• Date Posted: 04.19.2013 20:00
• Story ID: 105518
• Location: USS CARTER HALL, USCENTCOM, AT SEA