Army boat crew hosts joint service water range

Photo By Natalie Cole | A soldier with the 605th Transportation Detachment fires a mounted weapon at a water range off the coast of the Kuwaiti Naval Base August 11. Soldiers, Sailors and Coast Guard troops trained together aboard the U.S. Army Logistics Support Vessel 4 because the Army boat crew has a variety of weapons capabilities and training expertise. (Photo by Natalie Cole)  

KUWAIT

08.12.2010

Story by Natalie Cole 

1st Theater Sustainment Command

In the midst of searing temperatures and relentless humidity, Army soldiers aboard the Logistics Support Vessel 4 (LSV4) hosted a joint water range exercise off the coast of the Kuwaiti Naval Base August 11. The water range afforded Navy, Coast Guard, and Army troops in Kuwait a realistic opportunity to fire weapons from a moving boat at moving targets on the balmy gulf seas.
Sailors with Expeditionary Security Squadron 9 and Coast Guard troops with the Port Security Unit 308 trained alongside soldiers with the 605th Transportation Detachment.

While it may appear ironic that the more land-based Army hosted the water range, the Army has a very strong marine presence in the area. The Army’s LSV 4 was ideal for training Coast Guard and Navy security teams because the large vessel has strong weapons capabilities and multiple weapon stations for troops to fire from.

The primary role of Navy and Coast Guard troops in the area is to escort and pull security for larger vessels or vessels that have high value cargo, said Petty Officer 1st Class John Haisley, a gunner’s mate who gave a weapons refresher course to junior Navy and Coast Guard troops before they fired. The Navy and Coast Guard typically operate 25 to 35-foot water craft armed with weapons, so the training ensured the troops’ readiness to perform their missions, Haisley explained.

The soldiers on the LSV4 took part in the training as well because they pull their own security when they sail into ports in the Gulf region. “There’s still a threat out there, even though we’re on the water,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Sherman, a junior marine engineer from Moore, Okla.

Before firing, Coast Guard Seaman Robert Gallion said his goal for the day was “to learn more about the .50,” referring to the .50 Caliber Machine Gun that is typical of boat security. After firing, Petty Officer 3rd Class Dean VanLuven, who had not fired on the water before, said he learned what to expect from the .50. “It’s hard to keep it in one spot, especially if we’re moving, and the target’s moving,” he said.

The LSV 4 and other Army vessels like it carry supplies throughout the gulf. Army crews – from the warrant officer Boat Masters to the enlisted crew – operate the boats and are trained to do their own security, fire fighting, and repairs. Army marine operations demonstrate the diversity of the logistics missions supervised by the 1st Theater Sustainment Command at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Soldiers on boats is not the typical image of the Army, but Sherman said he enjoys the work and camaraderie so much that he has done the job for 12 years. “You have to work closely, especially on a boat,” he said. “We live together, work together, eat together. We have to be mindful of each others’ wants,” said Sherman.

The collaboration among the services will continue as the Army, Navy, and Coast Guard fulfill their various security missions in the Gulf, said Haisley.

• Date Taken: 08.12.2010
• Date Posted: 08.12.2010 09:40
• Story ID: 54385
• Location: KW