Royal Saudi Navy Training Director Views Combat Systems Training

By Kimberly M. Lansdale, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

DAHLGREN, Va. (NNS) -- The Center for Surface Combat Systems (CSCS) and Aegis Training and Readiness Center (ATRC) hosted the head of training for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), in order to support the Navy's training missions with partnered allied nations, May 6.

Director of Training (DoT) Commodore Fayez Al-Bakri and Overseas Training Coordinator Commodore Hamed Bakhet Al-Johani visited the training commands aboard Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP) as part of a two-week visit to the United States. The trip was designed to give them an overview of combat systems training, including ATRC's training laboratories and electronic classrooms.

"One of the key goals of the Maritime Strategy is fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships with international partners," said Capt. Russ Haas, commanding officer, ATRC. "Expanded cooperative relationships with other nations contribute to maritime security and stability for all. Our partners view Aegis training in Dahlgren as a key piece to the Navy's strategy."

International training at CSCS is coordinated through the command's Security Assistance and International Programs directorate.

"The mission of CSCS International Programs is to provide allied forces quality training to enable them to develop ready teams capable of operations that maintain and expertly employ surface combatants," explained Dr. Darrell Tatro, director of CSCS International Programs. "The directorate partners with U.S. training, readiness, and policy organizations, as well as other government agencies and industry to support maritime partnership objectives."

Capt. Bob Kerno, CSCS commanding officer, and Haas greeted Al-Bakri and Al-Johani and participated in the tour. Topics of discussion included how CSCS and ATRC manage their student throughput, oversee a diverse training domain, and how training is tied to ship manning.

"It was my sincere honor to host Commodores Al-Bakri and Al-Johani at CSCS and ATRC," Kerno said. "Their visit to Dahlgren was the capstone of the RSNF officers visit to the U.S. and provided them the opportunity to see how the U.S. Navy trains combat systems enlisted and officer Sailors. They were able to see the classrooms and labs at ATRC to gain some perspective on the complexities and challenges of training on the Aegis combat system. Our partnership with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces is very important and this visit served that relationship very well."

"You [CSCS and ATRC] have answered a lot of our questions as we move forward outlining our training requirements," Al-Bakri said. "We appreciate the hospitality shown to us by CSCS and ATRC."