Norfolk Firefighting School Turns Up the Heat During Live Exercise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Molly Anne Greendeer, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Norfolk Farrier Fire Fighting School is nearing the end of its annual Damage Control Assistant/Senior Enlisted (DCA/SE) course for 16 international students as they began a live-firefighting exercise Aug. 8.

The seven-week course is designed to teach national and international sailors how to identify and combat shipboard damages. This particular course was an identical DCA/SE course that is offered at the Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS) Command in Norfolk.

Sailors from the Colombian, Republic of Korea, Republic of Singapore, Lithuanian Naval Force and Royal Saudi navies attended the course.

Each year, navies from around the world have the opportunity to send officers and senior enlisted to the course where damage control personnel learn how the U.S. Navy prepares for and deals with shipboard damage.

"We do this course annually to teach them what our DCAs do on ships here," said Chief Damage Controlman Michael Lewis, one of the course instructors. "We talk to them and teach them what we do and they give us input on how they would handle the same situations."

Chief Damage Controlman Melvin Smith, an instructor at the school encourages all allied navies to take the course and learn as much as they can about the U.S. Navy's techniques and to share its methods to become more efficient in damage control efforts.

"It's important to stay relevant," said Smith. "We continually upgrade our techniques and take what we learn from our international students to provide the best damage control training possible."

"All the students come here with knowledge of what damage control is all about," said Lewis. "Because they already know the basic language of damage control, it makes it easier for us to communicate and demonstrate our damage control techniques."

Students have the opportunity to use their own navy's firefighting techniques while learning new techniques during a firefighting and wet trainer, which are designed to simulate real-life situations.

"We put them in situations and we put pressure on them to see what kind of decisions they are going to make, because damage control is all about how quickly you assess the damage and make decisions," said Damage Controlman 1st Class Paul Andersen. "We want to know how they would prioritize the damages and balance their resources."

Colombian Senior Chief Damage Contolman German Castilla-Castillo said he was amazed at the size and realness of the live firefighting facilities.

 "We have never fought fires on a big scale like this," said Castilla-Castillo. "The time and effort put into the training exercises better prepare myself and those who work under me."

Smith said it is important to ensure that all demonstrations and courses emphasize safety of students and service members and hopes the students go on to supervise after returning to their home country.

"Safety is paramount," said Smith. "Before the students put their hands on any equipment or run through any training exercise, we do a safety brief. We want to make sure they are prepared for any situation."

The course stresses that safety is just as important when they return to their ships as every ship is at risk of encountering a dangerous situation.

"Damage control is an international concern." said Damage Contolman 1st Class Scott Cheesbrough. "No matter what ship you are on and no matter what country you are from, ultimately those ships go in harm's way."

The students will graduate from the course Aug. 16.

In Times of Doubt, Find Healing in Pastoral Care

By Jayne Davis, DCoE Strategic Communications

The soldiers were pinned down, taking heavy fire and casualties from what they determined was a lone gunner behind a protective wall. Finally, one soldier broke from the group, made his way to the wall and in a fervent burst of gunfire took the sniper out — it was an 11-year-old boy.

Later, that scene in the soldier’s head kept him from sleeping, played on his spiritual beliefs and made him question his moral compass. He felt unworthy of his religion, unworthy of his family. He knew he needed to talk to someone. He went to see a chaplain.

“Chaplains are often the first line of defense for service members wrestling with issues of moral and spiritual concerns,” said chaplain and Navy Cmdr. Raymond Houk, who related the sniper story. Houk is assigned to Pastoral Care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and works at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence.

“The unique relationship between chaplain and service member creates a pocket of trust wherein we can help with issues like forgiveness, grief, survivor’s grief and inner moral conflicts — issues that stay with people after experiencing difficult situations and making life and death decisions. Often what’s needed is for them to accept that they made the best decision under the circumstances,” said Houk. “In those cases, we offer support and compassion to help them forgive themselves.”

Chaplains can be in the unique circumstance of having to counsel a service member on both spiritual and psychological loss — and be able to distinguish differences.

In many parts of the world where deployed units are on smaller ships or isolated outposts, behavioral or psychological health care providers are not commonly attached to the units, but most often chaplains are. That puts them in the position of also being the first line of defense for service members having psychological concerns, such as posttraumatic stress. Although some behaviors are common to both spiritual and psychological concerns, chaplains are trained to identify symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “We’re trained to know when the service member needs to seek behavioral health care so we’re very familiar with sleeplessness, intrusive thoughts, nervousness and anger issues,” said Houk. (Read this post about one chaplain’s personal experience with PTSD.)

A spiritual assessment is often the first step for a chaplain faced with helping service members showing signs of PTSD. An assessment helps identify spiritual needs important to their psychological health care, said Houk. “It may include faith practices or beliefs that give their life purpose, meaning, depth and value — beliefs that can impact their behavioral health,” said Houk.

At military treatment facilities chaplains can read, make notes to and include the spiritual assessment in electronic records. “Knowing that a spiritual assessment is not separate from treatment but an integral part of the healing plan encourages the patient to be more forthcoming about their spiritual beliefs, and raises their awareness that their beliefs can be a source of strength and healing during the recovery process,” said Houk.

Houk pointed out that it’s critical for the patient to understand that the chaplain is part of the medical team. Historically, chaplains have had close relationships with medical personnel. “From my perspective, the process of moving service members from spiritual counseling to provider care is handled well, but chaplains still need to be intentional about keeping proactive relationships with health care providers,” said Houk. “Providers need to be aware of chaplains’ capabilities and trust them to make solid referrals.”

Chaplains can find support and resources in this fact sheet and through the Chaplain Working Group hosted by Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. Contact the group for details.

Underwood Sailors Conduct Subject Matter Expert Exchange with Colombian Navy

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stuart Phillips, Southern Seas 2012 Public Affairs

BAHIA MALAGA, Colombia (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) spent time working alongside their Colombian counterparts as they made repairs on the Colombian cutter Valle del Cauca while moored in Bahia Malaga, Colombia July 3.

The Colombian and U.S. Sailors were able to achieve a number of goals as they combined their experience and expertise to address electrical and mechanical issues aboard the cutter over a period of three days in port in Bahia Malaga.

"We went over to the Colombian ship to work with them as they repaired some of their equipment," said Electrician's Mate 2nd Class (SW) Aldo Rodriguez, who volunteered to help out on the Valle del Cauca. "We worked on their capstan, their air conditioning, their carry, hold and transit [sewage system] and a couple of their gauges."

Sailors from the two navies also worked together restoring lights on the Valle del Cauca's flight deck.

"We brought their flight deck lighting up to about 80 percent, so now they'll be able to conduct night operations on their flight deck," said Electrician's Mate 3rd Class (SW) John Prokop, who also volunteered to work with the Colombian sailors.

The subject matter expert exchange has been an opportunity for sailors from both navies to learn more about their own job specialties from each other.

"I think working with the Colombian navy has helped strengthen our partnership," said Prokop. "We traded expertise as we taught each other a lot of things on the electrical side about different systems they have on their ship and I've also been able to show them some in-depth things that I know about electrical schematics, tracing out wires and performing troubleshooting and repairs."

Working side-by-side with their Colombian counterparts proved to be a good way for the U.S. Sailors to get to know members of another country's navy.

"We talk about our families and the differences between our navies as we work together," said Rodriguez, who speaks Spanish fluently. "But I think my favorite part has been the food they have shared with us. It is outstanding. Even the rice just seems to have so much more flavor. They have a dish called 'sancocho' that is like a soup comprised of beef, chicken, potatoes, corn and rice. It reminds me of home cooking."

"My favorite part of this has been the experience of going over to a different navy's ship," said Prokop. "I went over in a RHIB [rigid-hull inflatable boat] one of the days and just going over and seeing a different type of lifestyle and getting to work with other sailors as they make repairs on their ship was a good experience that I'm going to keep with me for the rest of my life."

Underwood is deployed to Central and South America and the Caribbean in support of Southern Seas 2012.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

Underwood Sailors Play Soccer with Partner Nation Sailors

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Frank J. Pikul, Southern Seas 2012 Public Affairs

CALLAO, Peru (NNS) -- Sailors from Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood participated in a soccer match and barbecue with sailors from foreign navies during UNITAS Pacific (PAC) at Callao Naval Base, May 14.

The event was organized to bring sailors from the different navies together to interact with each other to build friendships and foster good will between them.

"We were here today to see what sailors from other navies are like and to develop a better relationship with these other navies through sports and food," said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Kevin Wilson, assigned to Underwood.

Sailors from the United States, Peru, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico participated in the event.

"I like to hear about different places and where fellow sailors are from," said Armory Mate 2nd Class Allen Angulo, a Peruvian sailor. "I like the atmosphere surrounding this event. It gives us a chance to relax and get to know each other."

The day concluded with an awards ceremony with medals presented to the top two teams. The team representing Underwood won first place and received gold medals.

"It felt good to win, but more importantly I believe that soccer is a world sport that brings everyone together, no matter what kind of differences people have in other countries," said Wilson.

After the awards ceremony, the sailors enjoyed a barbecue of roast pig and had the opportunity to get to know one another.

"I felt like I made a difference in other sailors' lives by participating in this event, and it was an opportunity to exchange cultures with each other," said Electrician's Mate 3rd Class Stephen McGiverin. "I really think it helps relations with these countries."

Underwood is participating in UNITAS Pacific as part of Southern Seas 2012, an annual deployment to Central and South America and the Caribbean.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

Fleet Survey Team Completes Mission in Colombia

From U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

CARTAGENA, Colombia (NNS) -- The Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) Fleet Survey Team (FST) completed survey operations in the coastal waters of Cartagena, Colombia Feb. 23.

The FST surveys of Cartagena Bay was part of Oceanographic-Southern Partnership Station 2012 (O-SPS 12) and provided an opportunity to assist Colombia in surveying the area including the Magdalena River in Barranquilla.

"The Colombian Navy requested our assistance to map their coastal waters as their survey vessel had been undergoing extensive repairs," said Lt. Keith Plavnick, FST officer in charge. "The hydrographers of the Colombian Navy's Centro de Investigaciones Oceanograpficas e Hidrograficas (CIOH) were very enthusiastic and helpful in our survey operations. We had at least two Colombian Naval Hydrographers on board each day participating as equal partners during the daily subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) by operating our systems and deploying our sensors from aboard our vessel."

Every aspect of survey missions serve as a form of SMEE, where host nations are encouraged to participate in the mission by working alongside the FST and assisting with handling sensitive equipment and collecting data.

"In Colombia's case, the survey team provided a group of expeditionary surveyors with Expeditionary Survey Vessels (ESV) for the express purpose of a SMEE event during O-SPS 12," said Plavnick. "At the conclusion of the FST surveys, we provide a copy of all the collected data to the host nation and we discuss not only our techniques, but theirs as well during daily operations."

The FST utilized a 10 meter SeaArk survey boat that was transported to Colombia on a U.S. Navy C-130 cargo aircraft. The vessel is equipped with multiple types of depth sounding equipment, to include a Reson 7125 Multi-beam SONAR, ODOM CV200 Single-beam SONAR, Klein 3000 Side Scan SONAR, and an Edgetech 4125 Side Scan SONAR. Additionally, four Insitu Level Troll 700 Tide gauges were installed to measure the tides while conducting the survey operations.

"It is very important to use the correct equipment for our surveys," said Plavnick. "We conduct two main types of surveys; a safety of navigation survey, and an expeditionary survey. The equipment we use during the navigation surveys ensures accurate data is used for updating nautical charts of the survey areas, while the expeditionary surveys are used in identifying obstructions in a channel or harbor after a natural disaster, such as an earthquake."

Once collected, the data is processed at the Stennis Space Center, which is then sent to the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to update the nautical charts for the areas just surveyed. The host nations receive a copy of the final dataset, which allows them to include the updated information in their charts.

The FST has a diverse workforce maintaining four boat divisions, capable in both safety of navigation and expeditionary surveying. In addition, they maintain emergency fly-away kits for Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response (HADR) purposes both within the U.S. and internationally, when needed.

"Our safety of navigation survey team during the Colombian survey consisted of three enlisted, two officers and three civilians," said Plavnick. "The expeditionary survey SMEE team consisted of three enlisted and one officer. Our surveys within the theaters of operations not only help the host nations and keep our skills fresh, but it also helps prepare the theaters on how to use our capabilities easily when disaster hits."

The FST conducts about 14 surveys a year around the world. The team uses the Chief of Naval Operations' priority Oceanographic, Hydrographic and Bathymetric (OHB) list, and requests from component commanders like U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (USNAVSO) to determine where and when they will conduct their surveys. The surveys aid in the safe navigation of military and civilian vessels traversing the area.

NAVOCEANO, part of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, collects and analyzes global ocean and littoral data to provide specialized, operationally significant products and services for military and civilian, national and international customers.

Southern Partnership Station is an annual deployment of U.S. Navy ships to the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) area of responsibility in the Caribbean, Central and South America. The mission's primary goal is information sharing with partner nation service members and civilians in the region.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F) supports USSOUTHCOM joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.