underway

1. PON was underway for BATAAN STRIKE GROUP COMPTUEX. ENS Lancaster and ENS Smith reported aboard at 0530 on 03 FEBRUARY, 2009. The BATSG elements made their way separately outbound from Norfolk and Little Creek Naval Bases. PON conducted a precision anchorage at Lynnhaven Anchorage and returned to Pier 1, Norfolk Naval Station because of heavy seas beyond the Cape Henry Light. On 05 FEBRUARY, 2009 PON got underway. Throughout both Sea and Anchor Details ENS Lancaster and ENS Smith observed the Navigation Detail, Helm Safety Officer, as well as the Line handling parties on the Forecastle. 2. On 06 FEBRUARY, 2009, PON and USS FORT MCHENRY loaded their Marines at Port Morehead, North Carolina. PON was pier side for approximately 5 hours and proceeded outbound for Onslow Bay, NC. 3. On 07 FEBRUARY, 2009, PON conducted a RAS at sunrise. ENS Lancaster conned alongside of USNS Kannewah. After the RAS, PON approached the coast off Onslow Bay, NC, but stayed out of sight of land in her assigned box. 4. Prior to approaching the shore to conduct LCU OPS, PON spent two days stationed in one of the ESG’s outer boxes. 5. On 09 FEBRUARY, 2009, PON anchored briefly off Onslow Bay. For much of the next week, PON conducted Well Deck Operations near Onslow Bay with LCUs. Ensign Lancaster observed wet well operations from the bridge, debark control (which was the Bridge), well deck control, and the well deck wing walls. LTJG Giles-Summers, PON’s MP Divo took him through the spaces he owned including one of the MMRs. ENS Smith stood watch on the bridge during well deck operations, flight operations, and an attempted Maritime Distress call. LT Tate, PON’s R-Divo took ENS Smith through some of R-Division’s spaces. ENS Smith observed wet well operations from bridge/debark control and well deck control. 6. Throughout the Underway, PON conducted extensive Flight OPS. ENS Lancaster observed Flight OPS from PRIFLI CONTROL, conned the ship during FLIGHT OPS, and learned how to use a Wind Wheel and read wind envelopes. ENS Lancaster also observed a VERTREP from PRIFLI CONTROL. ENS Smith also learned to use a Wind Wheel, read wind envelopes, and conned during extensive Flight OPS, including a VERTREP with BAT. PON conducted Flight Ops with SH-60s, MH-53s, AH-1s, UH-1s, and MV-22s. 7. Throughout the Underway, ENS Lancaster and ENS Smith stood approximately 180 hours of Conning Officer Watch each. ENS Lancaster also stood approximately 10 hours of JOOD. ENS Lancaster and ENS Smith conned the ship to anchor, through multiple UNREPS, ESG Anti-Submarine Maneuvers while trailing Nixie, Fleet Maneuvers and Stationing, during Heavy Weather, and communicated over FLT TAC. ENS Lancaster conned during 3 UNREPS, during restricted visibility in heavy weather, to avoid suspected whales near the ship as per the Marine Mammal Protective Measures, Small Arms Live Fire Exercises, and Engineering Casualty Control Drills. In addition, while on the Bridge, ENS Lancaster made several communications over Bridge-to-Bridge, worked on stationing maneuvering boards, and energized the navigation lights. ENS Smith conned the ship to anchor, during several casualties, such as loss of Boiler Fires and loss of Gyrocompass, alongside during an UNREP and conned the approach to an UNREP during a BATESG Battle Problem with OPFOR Vessels in the vicinity. 8. After all elements of the BATSG were replete with Marine elements, they made their way south for the bulk of COMPTUEX: Battle Problems 1 and 2. 9. Throughout COMPTUEX, FTM’s nightly Operations/Intelligence briefs kept the Wardroom current with mock international incidents between Amberland and hostile elements of the PHARM terrorist organization. It all led to the culmination of Battle Problem 1, a mock raid. 10. During the second week of the underway, PON held a General Quarters Drill. ENS Lancaster observed GQ from CIC where he helped conduct COMPTUEX MIO OPS as Pappa Sierra via CENTRIX and Chat. ENS Smith observed GQ from DC Central, and paid special attention to the flow of information and the plotting of casualties. 11. Battle Problem 2 consisted of a BATSG transit through mock straits in a Form 1 followed by numerous Screen Kilos. During many watches, ENS Lancaster and ENS Smith’s task was to keep the ship at Alpha Station using Maneuvering Boards, SPS-73 and their watchstanders while the Officer of the Deck kept a tactical picture. For pictures see: album 1: album 2: