RIVRON 3 Sailors Test Combat Skills

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Paul D. Williams, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs

CHESAPEAKE, Va (NNS) -- Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 3, Det. 1, Sailors successfully completed a two-week final evaluation problem (FEP) on the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake, Va., Feb. 4.

The Detachment participated in various scenarios designed to test the Sailor's combat skills, and how they perform in a simulated combat environment.

"FEP is the final evaluation problem and is essential for the overall certification of the detachment to deploy," said Chief Warrant Officer William Norton, RIVRON 3 training officer and FEP evaluator. "It's essential we check their knowledge and test their skill sets to ensuring they are ready to fight."

RIVRON 3 completed a 13-week rigorous training cycle, and the evaluation was the last hurdle to clear before deploying. During the evaluation, Sailors responded to simulated indirect fire, chemical, biological and radiological defense, mass casualty drills, small craft interdictions and various other combat scenarios that fall within the Riverine area of responsibility.

"We have a well rounded training plan to deploy," said Engineman 1st Class (EXW) Jonathon Teal, RIVRON 3, Det. 1, leading petty officer. "With the Iraq mission being complete, this training scenario was set up to resemble other areas of potential security threats with elements of improvised explosive device attacks similar to what we saw in the Middle East."

Overall, the detachment had been put to the challenge and successfully demonstrated the last 13 weeks of training provided them with the ability to meet irregular challenges.

"The detachment went above and beyond," said Norton. "They excelled in their skill sets and did a great job overall."

The Riverine forces mission is to combat sea-based terrorism and other illegal activities, such as transportation of weapons of mass destruction components, hijacking, piracy and human trafficking.

RIVRON 3 is part of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and an enduring force providing capability across the full range of military operations in the maritime strategy to include forward presence, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, sea control and power projection and deterrence.