USS John L. Hall Sailors Conduct Security Training

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ricky Allen, Carrier Strike Group 2 Public Affairs

Sailors of USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) simulated boarding a vessel carrying cargo, inspecting its crew and inspecting the ship for proper documentation Sept. 6. With USS McFaul (DDG 74) serving as the "cargo ship," Sailors came aboard dressed for the occasion, climbing out of rigid hull inflatable boats wearing everything from battle helmets to flak jackets. Teams scanned the areas, using their security training to clear each area in order to protect themselves. Teams scanned everything from the bridge to the fantail.

One of the teams, according to Master-at-Arms 1st Class Brian Williams, also had the job to "take down" personnel on the foc'sle, who were McFaul Sailors, dressed in their civilian attire to play the role of cargo ship personnel. "From there, we headed to engineering [spaces] to secure that area," Williams said. "Right now, we're the ones stopping the drugs out to sea, so if we don't get our training like this, anything could happen out there, anything unexpected," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Chris Rowe.

He also said that embarking on another vessel truly gave the Sailors an up-close and personal scenario with some new challenges. "We know what's behind every single door [on board USS John L. Hall]. These are ships that I have never been on, so this is a very new experience for me," Rowe said. Chief Electronics Technician (SW) Drake Schimmel also said that conducting the training on another vessel was a good experience for the team. "I think this is invaluable training that we're going to get here. We don't know these platforms, and when we go to take over other vessels, they're going to be platforms we're unfamiliar with. So learning the new routes, figuring it out, the problem solving they learn on vessels they're not familiar with is invaluable," said Schimmel. Schimmel said he was proud of his team. "They did well. A couple of hiccups, but part of that was due to the weather and part of that again was due to a ship they we're not familiar with, which is the point of the training," he said. Ensign Adam Freihoffer, the officer in charge of the team, agreed.

"I think everything went pretty well. I would have been nice to have a little more time," he said. "It was a good practice." The transit to participate in Exercise Neptune Warrior, which began Sept. 4, has been full of activity for the six ships led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22. In addition to security training, the crew on board McFaul has also been busy conducting a variety of shipboard training.

During Neptune Warrior, the ships will participate with naval forces from Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Spain and United Kingdom in Neptune Warrior, a coalition course in the North Atlantic. Capt. John Gelinne, commander, DESRON 22, and his staff are embarked aboard Norfolk-based McFaul and will use this opportunity to evaluate the ship and crew in addition to USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Nicholas (FFG 47), USS Elrod (FFG 55), and Mayport, Fla.-based John L. Hall to certify each ready for deployment. USNS Laramie (TAO 203) will provide logistics support to the task group. Neptune Warrior is normally held twice a year and is open to allied navies with assets available to participate.