US Navy sailors share ship-boarding tactics with international navies

Photo By Lt. Peter Walz | U.S. Navy sailor Lt. j.g. Kenneth Lee assigned to USS Chosin watches a boarding exercise between naval personnel from India and New Zealand. The fleet training exercise dubbed ADMM+, ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus, is a major multi-lateral activity to promote practical maritime cooperation and information sharing among participating Indo-Asian-Pacific countries and to build a common understanding of interoperability procedures in maritime security matters. U.S. Navy sailors assigned to USS Chosin are participating in combined navies exercises and an International Fleet Review in Sydney Sept. 29 through Oct. 18. (U.S. Navy photo by Public Affairs Officer Peter Walz)  

JERVIS BAY, ACT, AUSTRALIA

09.29.2013

Story by Ensign Peter Walz 

USS Chosin

JERVIS BAY, Australia – U.S. Navy sailors assigned to USS Chosin (CG65) and international sailors and ships from nearly 20 nations gathered at the Royal Australian Navy base HMAS Creswell, just south of Sydney, to participate in a joint training exercise to enhance warfare skills and share professional maritime views.

Part of the exercise focused on proper ship-boarding techniques called visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS).

“These procedures and tactics are used by naval forces who might approach and inspect vessels within their jurisdiction,” said Lt. j.g. Kenneth Lee, training and boarding officer from USS Chosin. “They [VBSS teams] can also be used for hostile non-compliant interdictions to overcome armed resistance.”

The first day of the VBSS exercise, the U.S. Navy watched as observers. The cross-cultural exchange and interaction proved beneficial.

“Watching the VBSS teams from Japan and Jebat was a good learning experience," said Lee. “Their techniques were very similar to ours and it helped my team reinforce proper tactics.”

On the second day of the exercise, the 12-man VBSS team from Chosin boarded the Japanese ship Makinami.

Boarding an unfamiliar vessel has its dangers.

“My job is to be the first one up the ladder,” said Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Michael Hazzard. “I am always thinking about what can go wrong. You’ve got to be ready or people get hurt.”

An exercise like this allows the teams to hone skills and share views that they may encounter in real-world scenarios.

The exercise is running Sept. 29 through Oct. 18 off the coast of Sydney. Other events include flight operations and fleet movements, which will culminate with an International Fleet Review to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the entry of the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet into Sydney.

Chosin is currently operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility conducting exercises, port visits and operations to enhance maritime partnerships and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 09.29.2013
• Date Posted: 11.21.2013 18:25
• Story ID: 117184
• Location: JERVIS BAY, ACT, AU