African sailors test knowledge in crucible aboard APS Gunston Hall

USS GUNSTON HALL, AT SEA

03.29.2010

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class John Stratton 

U.S. Navy           

USS GUNSTON HALL, At Sea — Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Benin sailors tested their skills during a culminating final event, March 26, during Africa Partnership Station West, on board the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock-landing ship USS Gunston Hall.

The hour-long event, called a "crucible", tested the sailors' ability to work as a team in shipboard damage control, basic first aid and force protection measures.

Sailors began their preparation for the crucible, March 11, with instruction in a variety of areas including force protection and damage control. In the end, the crucible would bring it all together.

"[We] geared this training towards more of a hands-on approach," said Petty Officer 1st Class Cory Webb, damage controlman, from Smithfield, Va., assigned to the damage control department aboard Gunston Hall. "We wanted to create real-life scenarios so the students could take part and see for themselves how DC works on board [our] ship."

Webb said the sailors discussed basic damage control topics such as shoring and hose-handling techniques and using the Naval Fire Fighting Thermal Imager (NFFTI) device and portable extinguishers.

Nigerian navy leading Seaman I.O. Uku said he enjoyed the training and learned a lot.

"The training was very useful," he said. "Using the NFFTI to find hot spots benefited me the most. I will pass this training along to my navy when we go back."

Ghanaian navy Sub-Lt. Frank Boateng said he would like to see his navy use some of the techniques he saw aboard Gunston Hall.

"Some of the training was similar to what my navy teaches," he said. "I especially enjoyed the NFFTI and would like to see my navy use them. It was good training."

Twelve sailors were divided and rotated among five stations: simulated small boat attack, shoring, pipe patching, fire team, and medical casualty. In the end, the sailors were briefed on their performance.

"Bravo Zulu," said Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel O'Connor, damage controlman, from Whitehall, Pa., as he discussed the great job the sailors did finding a medical casualty in a smoke-filled compartment with the NFFTI.

Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Tom Guest, from Norfolk, Va., leading chief petty officer for Gunston Hall's health services department, was extremely pleased with the efforts put forth by the sailors.

"I'm very proud of what you've accomplished here today," he said. "Great job all around."
Participating sailors stayed motivated throughout the event, something Kevin Wright, chief damage controlman, from Omaha, Neb., noticed right away, and wanted to make sure the sailors knew.

"Motivation is a must when fighting any damage control casualty," he said. "You all definitely brought it today."

"It was a fun time," said Nigerian navy Seaman O.K. Tsakporhore. "We will walk away from today with knowledge and skills that we can give back to our navies."

APS West is designed to enhance professional development and provide a valuable motivational and instructional experience to increase the awareness of maritime safety and security.

Gunston Hall is on a scheduled deployment in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility in support of APS West, an international initiative developed by Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa that aims to improve maritime safety and security in West and Central Africa.

You can follow Gunston Hall and APS at their respective Facebook pages, www.facebook.com/GunstonHall and www.facebook.com/AfricaPartnershipStation.

• Date Taken: 03.29.2010
• Date Posted: 03.29.2010 05:28
• Story ID: 47364
• Location: USS GUNSTON HALL, AT SEA