Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Heather Brown | 150501-N-OD763-112 NORFOLK, Va. (May 1, 2015) – Sailors assigned to Navy Cargo...... read more read more
NORFOLK, Va. – Sailors attached to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) along with members of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron SIX FOUR (VR-64) and Air Force 709th Airlift Squadron, 512th Airlift Wing participated in a Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Aircraft loading exercise (LOADEX) at the Navy operated Air Mobility Command (AMC) Air Terminal, Norfolk, Va. April 28 - May 2.
The DSCA Aircraft LOADEX is an exercise designed to train and familiarize Sailors with rapid response capabilities to support recovery efforts and assist local authorities following man-made and natural disasters, such as industrial accidents, hurricanes and earthquakes that affect both local civilian and military populations. By using this controlled environment, Sailors will have a better understanding of how to prepare for the real event if or when it happens.
“We should train as we fight, so when somebody makes a phone call that we have to support DSCA or any sort of situation worldwide we’re able to answer the call,” said Senior Chief Equipment Operator Josephine Gillmer, DSCA mobility planner.
To get ready for the scenario, an Initial Planning Conference (IPC) was held in January to determine what equipment to load and the type of transportation for the exercise. After examining NECC assets, recommendations of specific equipment and aircraft were passed onto the mobility planning cell. Once approved, groups were then designated to be in charge of the equipment and process the loading plan. When the loading plan was verified, all participating personnel were brought out to the site to carry out the DSCA LOADEX.
“Planning the evolution is a huge factor,” said Gillmer. “If all preparations are completed before everyone shows up at the terminal to load the gear it’s a smooth successful transition. The units did really well on this one. By realizing what we were exactly looking for we were able to accomplish our mission.”
In the event a DSCA response is requested, NECC would be designated Commander Task Force 86 and the headquarters of maritime forces to the Navy’s support coordinate.
During the exercise, experts from across the commands trained together by loading, unloading and moving personnel and equipment aboard aircraft such as the C-130 and Air Force C-5.
“We’ve had the opportunity to bring in two aircrafts, a C-130 and a C-5,” said Cmdr. William Scott, officer-in-charge AMC Terminal. “NECC personnel loaded a great portion of their material into the aircraft as part of the exercise to hone their skills and practice their abilities to get those very large pieces of equipment into the aircrafts to do that in accordance with the Air Force requirements, Navy regulations and to do so safely.”
For this exercise, Coastal Riverine Group TWO, Commander, U.S. Navy Capt. Mike Sparks, was designated as the Adaptive Force Package commander and was responsible for commanding the execution of operations with all of the expeditionary elements of NECC.
Sparks then explained how the Department of Defense determines and prioritizes what equipment is delivered during a DSCA event.
“It’s all based upon mission tasking to define what material to choose to bring and load,” said Sparks. “Of course what you load in an aviation asset might be different from what you can or may load via convoy. What you load here has to be aero transportable, so we divide what we have to bring to the operation. Some will go by land and some will go by sea or air.”
DSCA allows the unique capabilities of our Navy to be used to help our community, in support of a lead federal agency, while working with state and local authorities. The Navy's primary goals for DSCA missions are to save lives, alleviate suffering, and protect property.
“I think it’s important that we have DSCA,” said Scott. “As United States Sailors we are still members of the United States of America and even though we are wearing a uniform and perhaps not part of the disaster that has taken place hundreds or thousands of miles away we still have a responsibility to assist in the support and recovery of those who were affected by a disaster.”
Whether a disaster happens at home or on the other side of the globe, the DSCA leadership is confident that that all the forces can come together and flawlessly support recovery efforts when the call is made.
“CTF 86 has a clear command and control structure and assigned commanders ready to stand up an Adaptive Force Package (AFP), when requested,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Rodney Moore, assistant Chief of Staff for Operations. “With early mission planning, identified requirements and capabilities and continued coordination amongst stakeholders, NECC’s troops can successfully support a DSCA event.”
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2015 14:28 |
| Story ID: | 162291 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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