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    Reserve support crucial in SSBN and SSGN operations

    Naval Reserve SSGN (CMAV) participates in firefighting training

    Photo By Senior Chief Petty Officer Ahron Arendes | Reserve sailors assigned to Naval Reserve SSGN Continuous Maintenance Availability...... read more read more

    SILVERDALE, WA, UNITED STATES

    12.10.2014

    Story by Chief Petty Officer Ahron Arendes 

    Commander, Submarine Group Nine   

    SILVERDALE, Wash. - The mission of protecting our nation is a team effort.

    From the ship's missile technicians to the civilian shipyard workers, there are numerous entities that play a crucial role in assisting our ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) and guided missile submarine (SSGN) crews in ensuring maximum readiness of these platforms to defend our nation and deter war.

    For one such entity, the protection and maintenance of these submarines is their part of the mission, and it's a second job.

    Commander, Submarine Group 9's (COMSUBGRU-9) two Naval Reserve force protection detachments, Naval Reserve CSG-9 FP Detachment 1 and Naval Reserve CSG-9 FP Detachment 2 and one SSGN maintenance detachment, Naval Reserve SSGN Continuous Maintenance Availability Pacific (CMAVPAC) provide crucial force protection and maintenance support of COMSUBGRU-9's eight SSBNs, two SSGNs and their active duty crews.

    Naval Reserve CSG-9 FP Detachments 1 and 2 consist of 100 Sailors, 50 per detachment, that provide force protection to COMSUBGRU-9 submarines that moor at Washington's Naval Magazine Indian Island or at Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility.

    When the submarines moor, the FP Detachments step in to provide increased security and entry control point support. The support they provide, in turn, frees up the submarine crews to be able focus on accomplishing their maintenance, training and other operational requirements.

    "We're the only dedicated submarine force protection that the Navy has," said Cmdr. Michael Overfield, executive officer of CSG-9 FP Detachment 1. "As Reservists, we have a lot of civilian expertise from law enforcement and other communities, so we're able to come in and really hone those skills."

    According to Overfield, the detachments have provided some sort of security support almost every month in 2014 and will support nearly a dozen missions yearly. In order to meet this level of demand, The CSG-9 FP detachments will occasionally pool resources with the two FP detachments from CSG-10 on the East Coast.

    "My first introduction to the FP Dets was a few years ago when I was the weapons officer on USS Alabama (SSBN 731) and we pulled into NAVMAG Indian Island," said Overfield. "The detachment already had the complete security perimeter set up, all of the vehicle inspection check points stood up, everything. As a result, we were able to come in and immediately tie up to the pier knowing our security was already in place provided by professionally-trained personnel, and we are didn't have to worry about it. The crew loves us there, because it lightens the load on their watchbills, and that's the pinnacle example of what we do in the FP Dets."

    On the maintenance side, Naval Reserve CMAVPAC consists of approximately 17 Sailors who provide support for voyage repair periods (VRPs) for the two COMSUBGRU-9 forward-deployed SSGNs - USS Ohio (SSGN 726) and USS Michigan (SSGN 727).

    After an extended time at sea, the SSGNs pull into Guam for crew turnover and an arduous refit and maintenance period prior to returning to sea.

    Since Ohio and Michigan would otherwise require days or weeks to return home to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, refitting them in Guam provides each boat with a quick turnaround giving them operational flexibility and a much more effective use of their resources.

    Time and manpower are often short during these refit periods, so the SSGNs need assistance. That's where CMAVPAC comes in, and combined with the support of submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) the crew is able to complete the maintenance efficiently and maximize readiness by getting the boat back out sea as quickly as possible.

    "They are awesome!" said Senior Chief Machinist Mate Jason Parker, 3M coordinator for USS Michigan (SSGN 727) gold crew of CMAVPAC. "It is a huge help for them to be able to take care of the routine maintenance, so we can focus on getting the boat ready to get back underway."

    The Reservists bring a variety of skills from different ratings, such as electronics technicians to damage controlmen, and, as a result, they are able to immediately provide assistance.

    "They are literally able to integrate themselves into our divisions and capitalize on their rating experience," said Parker. "For example, one time we had a chief damage controlman and others, who were able to assist us with all of our damage control maintenance. This was huge. It helped us out so much. It's great that they can fulfill their Reserve requirements, while helping us fulfill ours."

    According to Parker, the Michigan crews are very appreciative of the assistance the CMAVPAC Reservists have provided and continue to provide.

    "At the end of our last CMAV period, the captain called all of them up and personally recognized all of them for the work they did. That's how important they are to us. They come in with a great attitude and inject new life into our divisions. It's motivating and invaluable," Parker said.

    Although the CMAVPAC and FP Detachment Reservists have to eventually go back to their civilian jobs, the teamwork between the submarine crews and Reservists allows the submarine force to be a continued success.

    "It's great to be able to support the Navy and be a part of the submarine mission while still pursuing a civilian career and, as a former submarine officer, to be able to do this is pretty motivating," Overfield said.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 12.10.2014
    Date Posted: 12.10.2014 14:45
    Story ID: 149984
    Location: SILVERDALE, WA, US

    Web Views: 259
    Downloads: 1

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