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Regional Strength Through Friendship in COBRA GOLD 2007 India-Japan-U.S. Forces Train at Sea in MALABAR/TRILATEX 2007 Enhancing the Australia-U.S. Military Alliance in TALISMAN SABER 2007 Perspectives :: PACOM: Moving the Throttle Forward in the Pacific Humanitarian Assistance :: Indonesian and U.S. Armies Promote Regional Stability in GARUDA SHIELD 2007 Special Interest :: Bridging Borders Through Military Medicine Happenings :: |
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United Nations Peacekeeping and Peace
Enforcement Scenario The staff exercise involved two neighboring countries deploying military forces in relation to a disputed country. Participants worked together, across all services, to get the fictionalized nations to draw down their forces and allow the insertion of U.N. peacekeepers. Mine-Countermeasures Exercise EOD personnel specialize in underwater MCM, which is an important mission to the surface fleet. “EOD is very important to regional security, so we’re always striving to train with, and learn from, our foreign counterparts,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Henry Lin. “To do our jobs effectively and safely, we need to continuously train together to act as one cohesive unit.” Working alongside each other, the two minesweepers completed several days of at-sea MCM operations off the shores of Sattahip. On the first day, the two minesweepers and a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion aircraft randomly laid exercise mines within specific operating boxes in the waters of Chuk Samet Harbor. During the exercise, Tha Din Daenghunted for mines in one operating area, while Guardian hunted in another. When Guardian’s sonar operators detected two mine-like objects, personnel armed the AN/SLQ-48 Mine Neutralization Vehicle (MNV) aboard Guardian. The MNV is a remote-controlled, unmanned submersible vehicle with explosive mission packages designed to countercharge the mines. The explosive packages are floating bomblets that neutralize moored mines from a safe distance. Video cameras on the MNV allow the operator to visually identify and classify the sonar contact as a mine. The MNV attaches the bomblets to the mines. After an explosive package is attached to the moored mine, the operator returns the MNV to Guardian. The ship then positions itself a safe distance before detonating the package. “We train year-round to expertly pilot the vehicle,” said U.S. Navy PO3 Bradley Derum. “Though this is not a real-world situation, it closely resembles one and shows we are ready and can successively carry out the mission at any time.” Guardian’s EOD personnel also neutralized mines. Arriving at the operating areas on an MK5 Zodiac boat, EOD divers identified the mines and neutralized them with explosive charges. “This was an important opportunity for us to execute our specialty which is to locate, neutralize, and clear mines that threaten shipping lanes and work closely with our counterparts from the Royal Thai Navy,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steve DeMoss, Guardian’s commanding officer. “The coordinated effort between us and the Thais was exemplary and bodes well for future operations together. I am confident that if a real-world scenario were to occur involving mines, we would have the bilateral capabilities to keep the seas safe.” Throughout the operations, Guardian hosted guests from regional media services as well as Thai Army and Navy personnel who observed the events and experienced life aboard a U.S. minesweeper. In addition to working alongside the Thai Navy minesweeper, having guests aboard Guardian helped build relationships. “One of the goals of this exercise is to improve military-to-military relationships between the U.S. and Thai navies,” said Lt. Cmdr. DeMoss. “We have achieved that and much more.” Thai and U.S. Divers Undergo Physical
Training The physical training consisted of running nearly 13 kilometers: swimming 1,000 meters; performing 500 push-ups and sit-ups; and completing leg raises, flutter kicks, and about two hours of calisthenics using a log for resistance. “It was very challenging. I don’t think you see how far you can push the human body until you put it through that kind of strain,” said U.S. Navy PO2 Josh Amberger. “Even though it was difficult, none of us thought about giving up.” “I think this sort of Thai-U.S. training integration will be a bridge for further integration,” said U.S. Navy MCPO Michael Moser. “It was great to see our divers and the Thais work through language barriers and work together to achieve the evolutions.” Base
and Airfield Security Training Thai sailors took the class to become proficient in base, airfield and convoy security; small arms; prisoner handling; and establishing perimeter security. The class also included the protection EOD personnel need to conduct disposal missions. Thai Navy PO2 Supon Mongtim, who looked forward to the training, said, “I would like to learn more so I can do more for my country.”
E-mail: apdforum@apan-info.net
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