USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) completes Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training

ByPettyOfficer1stClass

GregoryJohnson

Commander Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron 15

YOKOSUKA Japan

The Arleigh

Burke-class guided-missile destroyer

USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) completed

Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT), Jan. 25

The 10-day exercise was designed to enhance warfighting capabilities, tactical proficiencies and abilities to integrate with a larger force through a series of tactical scenarios

“SWATT provided a great opportunity to test our Sailors in realistic situations where theyhadtomaketacticaldecisionsandreact tothesituationathand,”saidCmdr Charles Cooper, Rafael Peralta’s commanding officer “The Lava Dogs did a great job relying ontheirprevioustrainingandexperiencein theatertomeetdynamicchallenges SWATT alsogaveusanopportunitytoworkwiththe Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, one of ourstrongestandclosestalliesintheregion.

Throughout the exercise, Rafael Peralta participated in a variety of warfighting scenarios while steaming with the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS

Antietam(CG54),USSChancellorsville(CG 62) and USS Shiloh (CG 67), as well as the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Atagoclass guided-missile destroyer JS Ashigara (DDG 178)

Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) embarked senior mentors and warfare tactics instructors(WTIs)tofacilitatethescenarios,which weredesignedtoprovideRafaelPeraltaSailorsanopportunitytoapplytheirknowledge and skills across the surface warfare, air warfare,anti-submarinewarfare,andinformation warfare mission areas

“SWATT presented a variety of engaging andrealisticscenarios,”saidEnsignAmanda Cervantes, from Chicago, Rafael Peralta’s ordnance officer “It was good to have an opportunity to exercise in a tactical mindset while simulating real-world situations specifictothisAOR(areaofresponsibility).”

Chief Fire Controlman Valentin Amboy, from Modesto California, said Sailors were readytomeeteverychallengetheyencountered throughout the exercise.

“SWATT was a prolific chance to show the naval might of USS Rafael Peralta and ouraccompanyingallies,”saidAmboy.“Our teams put on an amazing display of fire- power from fo’c’sle to fantail.”

According to Gunner’s Mate Seaman Abigalia Ralph, from Nashville, Tennessee, who was assigned to the ship’s crew-served weapons team during the exercise SWATT was instrumental to the professional development of many of the ship’s junior Sailors

“It helped me because I’ve been here for two weeks and was put in a situation where I had to help defend the ship,” said Ralph. “Anyone can find themselves in that situation, and it’s vital to the ship to be able to perform when the pressure is on. The exercise scenarios were beneficial because they helped get us more familiar with the weapons systems, and in turn, that will help us to react faster and more effectively in a realworld situation.”

SWATTisconductedundertheguidance of SMWDC and is the U.S. Navy surface force’s premiere advanced tactical training exercise, increasing warfighting capability and tactical proficiency across all domains

Rafael Peralta is assigned to Commander Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON)15,theNavy’slargestforward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force referred to as privatized housing in the Navy The Navy partnered with different private management companies to provide housing to Service Members. These companies are responsible forthe construction, renovation,maintenance and day-to-day management ofthe housing PPVhousing may be located on oroffgovernment property and in most cases will be formermilitary housing GovernmentOwned (also known as Military Housing orNavy Managed Housing is what was formerly called on-base housing While only available in limited quantities CONUS,Government Owned Housing is still widely available OCONUS. CommunityHousing is any housing that a Service Member may choose that is not PPVor government operated This is housing outside ofthe base that is privately owned and operated NAVY HOUSING Norfolk: 757.445.2832

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