Leyte Gulf Sailors Soar During Low, Slow Flyer Drill

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert Guerra, USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Public Affairs

USS LEYTE GULF, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) successfully completed a low, slow flyer drill while participating in a joint task force exercise (JTFEX) with the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Dec. 4.

Leyte Gulf's participation in the low, slow flyer drill was crucial due to their role as the Enterprise CSG's primary air defense commander.

The scenario simulated situations similar to ones the strike group could face while deployed to regions such as the Arabian Gulf.

"A low, slow flyer scenario is one of the most difficult and challenging threats to detect and engage," said Lt. Cmdr. Wes Brown, Leyte Gulf operations officer and JTFEX air defense liaison. "It's important for us to walk through those steps to give watch standers an idea of what they're going to see and give the crew time to take the appropriate action to defend the ship and strike group."

A low, slow flyer can involve any type of single-engine aircraft such as a King Lear Jet or a Cessna airplane, said Brown.

While engaged in a low, slow flyer threat, an aircraft usually approaches at a speed of 150 knots and is not usually following a normal air route, making its movements slightly harder to follow.

The drill also tested the skills of Leyte Gulf's repair locker teams, which required the efforts and teamwork of each crew member.

Leyte Gulf's damage control training team (DCTT) played a key role in educating the crew on the potential damage an attack could cause, such as fire or flooding.

"It's extremely important that the crew understands and absorbs this information," said Lt. Art L. Porche, a DCTT member. "A threat such as a low, slow flyer is not just another JTFEX scenario," and that it "... is something that can really happen."

The crew's ability to quickly respond to simulated damage scenarios in a thorough and timely manner are graded evolutions during JTFEX and vital to the ship's mission readiness.

"Overall I was pleased, although there will always be areas we can improve," said Leyte Gulf Executive Officer Cmdr. Harold A. Viado. "We executed the drill and ran it to completion, maintaining a high level of energy."

As Leyte Gulf and the Enterprise CSG progress through JTFEX and closer to deployment, exercises such as low, slow flyer drills are key to assessing the ship's ability to stabilize damage and minimize loss of lives.

The Enterprise CSG consists of Enterprise, Leyte Gulf, the guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), Carrier Air Wing 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2.

The Enterprise CSG is conducting JTFEX as part of its work-ups in preparation for an upcoming deployment. For more information about Enterprise, CSG 12 or Carrier Air Wing 1 visit www.Enterprise.navy.mil, www.ccsg12.surfor.navy.mil and www.cvw1.navy.mil.>

For more news from USS Enterprise (CVN 65), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn65/.