Lassen maintains presence in the Western Pacific

Courtesy Photo | 150208-N-ZZ999-1288 EAST CHINA SEA (Feb. 8, 2015) Crew members aboard the Arleigh-burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) prepare to raise flight deck nets following the completion of flight operations. Lassen is on patrol in the 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Lauren Chatmas/Released)  

USS LASSEN, PHILIPPINE SEA, AT SEA

02.09.2015

Courtesy Story

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet   

By Lt. j.g. Lauren Chatmas
USS Lassen Public Affairs

PHILIPPINE SEA – The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) departed its forward deployed location of Yokosuka, Japan, for a routine patrol in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, Feb. 3, following their successful completion of Training Availability (TRAV).

The purpose of the TRAV is to validate the ship has the required training, qualifications and critical schools to support future operations. Instructors from Afloat Training Group (ATG) Western Pacific trained and evaluated the crew through drills and tactical-based scenarios to ensure the ship was capable of executing missions in all warfare areas.

In 16 weeks, the ship completed qualifications in damage control, navigation, anti-terrorism/force protection, air/surface/electronic warfare, medical, strike warfare, and several other mission areas. Lassen scored more than 90 percent in 14 out of 16 events and is qualified through 2016.

“The mass casualty scenarios we ran felt very real” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Tiffany Hopkins. “Running the drills as if there is an actual fire or flooding prepares us to react in the event of a real life casualty on board the ship”.

Embarked for the entirety of the underway is a detachment from the 'Warlords' of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51. The two MH-60R helicopters will conduct daily intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions in support of Lassen’s tasking, as well as anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue operations.

Lassen is one of seven Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15 and is permanently forward-deployed to Yokosuka supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 02.09.2015
• Date Posted: 02.09.2015 04:54
• Story ID: 153992
• Location: USS LASSEN, PHILIPPINE SEA, AT SEA