Tom Abernathy News

Norfolk-Based Ships Participate in ASW

Exercise Four Norfolk-based ships departed Naval Station Norfolk Aug. 20 to participate in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet’s annual theater Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise, Smart Search ’04.The exercise begins Aug. 29 off the east coast of the United States. This is the fourth year of the annual exercise and is headed by Commander, Task Force 84. The goal of the exercise is to effectively employ and improve the combat capability of Atlantic Fleet submarines and afloat ASW forces while simultaneously increasing the efficiency of operations ashore.The exercise will test, assess and improve the proficiency of Navy theater ASW forces in a complex, realistic training scenario involving Navy ships, submarines and aircraft. ASW remains an important part of U.S.