Crash and Smash

the

SHUTTLE

H CRAS

USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - Tuesday, April 5, 2011

& SMASH

Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Roberto Diesta, a Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) instructor, signals the location of a simulated aviation fire during a ‘crash and smash’ drill aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

Photo by MC3 (SW) Robert Guerra

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

the SHUTTLE

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Enterprise News

Leyte Gulf Sailors crash, smash and train

By MC3 (SW) Robert Guerra USS Leyte Gulf Public Affairs

USS LEYTE GULF, At-sea –Sailors aboard the guidedmissile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) took part in a crash and salvage firefighting drill to maintain proficiency in the emergency recovery of air crew personnel and aircraft firefighting while deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility March 30.

The drill began when the ship’s flight deck fire party was called to respond to an emergency flight quarters alarm that simulated a helicopter crash aboard the flight deck of the ship.

The scenario-driven exercise required the flight deck fire party to overcome two separate simultaneous emergency situations: rescuing trapped personnel in the downed helicopter and combating a fire that could potentially threaten the integrity of the ship.

The exercise was supervised by the ship’s damage control training team (DCTT) along with the “Air boss” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 48, Detachment One “Smoking Aces.”

The DCTT team and Air boss worked together to define the training scenario and set training objectives for the flight deck fire party. To add to the realism of the drill, aviators and air crew members simulated injured personnel in need of rescue.

Photo by MC3 (SW) Robert Guerra

Damage Controlman 2nd Class William High, a flight deck fire party scene leader, gives orders to hose teams to combat a simulated aviation fire aboard guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).

“We train as we fight and we fight as we train,” said Ensign David LaLanne, helicopter control officer. “Every effort is made during the preparation and execution of the drill to simulate actual potential casualties.”

The more comfortable the flight deck fire party becomes with working together and the cadence and routine of communication and action, the more proficient they will be in the event of an actual emergency.

“This training is integral to the successful accomplishment of not only the fire party’s objectives but also the ship’s mission,” said Damage Controlman 2nd Class (SW) William High, flight deck fire party on scene leader. “In the event of an actual emergency this training prepares us to save lives and minimize damage.”

The training scenarios are designed around actual casualties that have happened in the past throughout all branches of the military.

“Like all aviation-related training it is written in blood,” said LaLanne. “The procedures we use were developed by evaluating previous helicopter crashes on aviation-capable ships.”

All members of the flight deck firefighting party volunteer their services to the ship and undergo extensive training to combat the specific hazards that aviation accidents present.

“Members first have to complete all of the basic and advanced damage control qualifications,” said Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class (SW/AW) Roberto Diesta, Leyte Gulf DCTT instructor. “After the initial qualifications are met, they

must get the approval of the ship’s Fire Marshal before they undergo shipboard and shore training for aircraft firefighting.

Upon completion of the general flight deck firefighting course and helicopter firefighting team evaluation course the team must certify they are capable of combating aviation casualties to the Aviation Authority.”

The teams’ extensive training is the base they use to successfully perform the necessary techniques to accomplish such exercise as the crash and salvage.

“The team did great,” said High. “The communication and motivation was at an extremely high level. From moving together as a team to hose handling interaction it was a success.”

But no matter how well the team responds during their drills each member knows there is always room for improvement.

“This is the Leyte Gulf,” said LaLanne. “We strive to be the varsity team in everything that we do. There are always areas for improvement, which we discuss during a debriefing between DCTT members and the Crash and Smash team and the information is used to develop scenarios for future training.”

The ship conducts Smash and Crash drills at a minimum of twice a month in order to keep the 17-man flight deck fire party in top shape.

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the SHUTTLE

Sailors of the Day

Logistics Specialist Seaman

Personnel Specialist 3rd Class

Timothy T. Lawrence - Orangeburg, S. Carolina

LSSN Lawrence, an RPPO and customer service supervisor assigned to Supply’s S-8A division, joined the Navy two-and-a-half years ago to become a better individual and to succeed. To Lawrence, the most rewarding aspect of his job is keeping his shipmates happy and healthy by ensuring that HAZMAT issued throughout the ship is safe and fully operational to help sustain Enterprise’s mission. Lawrence aspires to one day own his own business and become a father. During his free time, Lawrence enjoys going to the gym, relaxing and talking to friends and family.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Gerald R. Carter - Riverdale, Michigan

PS3 Carter, an administration transfer, separations, reenlistment and gains clerk assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, joined the Navy three years ago to travel the world and further his education. To Carter, the most rewarding aspect of his job is helping out the Sailors in his command and raising morale by taking his job seriously and getting tasks accomplished. Carter is working hard to earn his warfare pins and learn more about how to do his job better each day. He also aspires to finish his college degree and apply for Officer Candidate School in the near future. Carter enjoys video games, sports, working out and fishing.

Photos by MCSN Jesse L. Gonzalez

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