USS Lassen Completes Successful At-Sea Phase of CARAT Singapore 2015

By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Melissa K. Russell, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) successfully completed five days of combined, at-sea training events with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), July 23, as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Singapore 2015.

CARAT is an annual, bilateral exercise series designed to increase the interoperability among participating forces, address shared maritime security concerns, and develop relationships between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of partner nations.

This year marked the 21st time Singapore has participated.

This year's at-sea phase included complex scenarios with ships, submarines and aircraft, an exercise with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and a simulated casualty medevac flight with RSN ships. Events also included group maneuvers, a gunnery exercise that allowed the ships to track and fire their surface weapons on moving targets, and several submarine familiarization exercises using U.S. and RSN submarines.

"This year we focused a lot on exercising complex group maneuvers as well as finding and tracking one another's assets through sonar systems," said Cmdr. Robert Francis, Lassen's commanding officer. "That was important because the exercises increased our interoperability by allowing us to work together and gain better understanding of each other's capability while communicating and working from the same procedures. These are core skills vital to any real-world operation."

In addition to improving communication skills and getting to know one another's systems and procedures, both navies exchanged medical expertise in the event of a humanitarian aid-disaster relief (HA-DR) situation that could require a coordinated response from regional navies.

"Because of the U.S. Navy's presence in Southeast Asia and the close relationship we've developed with the Republic of Singapore Navy, there's a strong possibility we may one day need to operate together on a mission or in a casualty situation," Francis said. "That's why we see HA-DR response skills and operational skills as equally important."

To help foster skills in HA-DR situations, Lassen hosted two Singaporean sailors, one doctor and one emergency medical specialist. The Sailors observed several shipboard medical exercises, one of which included a medevac transport of a simulated casualty.

"We were happy to welcome them (RSN sailors) aboard and let them see just how our emergency responders would react during a casualty," Francis said. "This training could literally be a life saver because now we have an organic asset available in the group with the capability to treat a patient with life threatening injuries. It's just like having a small floating hospital within minutes of Lassen."

More than 700 U.S. Sailors were involved in the underway phase of CARAT Singapore. Lassen was joined by the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3), Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713), Military Sealift Command replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO 197), a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and ships and aircraft from the RSN.

Following CARAT Singapore, additional bilateral phases of CARAT will occur from July through November 2015 with Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

Commander, Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7 staff conduct advanced planning, organize resources and directly support the execution of maritime exercises such as the bilateral CARAT series, the Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) with Vietnam, and the multilateral Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

USS Lassen, USS Fort Worth Complete First Combined South China Sea Operations

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Bishop, USS Fort Worth Public Affairs

SOUTH CHINA SEA (NNS) -- The littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) partnered with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) to complete their first combined South China Sea presence operations, July 9.

"Our presence operations with USS Lassen demonstrates the U.S Navy's commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and emphasizes our ability to conduct maritime operations freely on the high seas," said Cmdr. Rich Jarrett, commanding officer of Fort Worth. "The 16-month deployment rotation for littoral combat ships like USS Fort Worth provides persistent presence that contributes to maritime stability throughout the region."

During combined presence operations in the South China Sea, Fort Worth and Lassen conducted joint maneuvering exercises at sea, working together to seamlessly share information between the two platforms.

"It's truly an honor to be part of the first joint presence operations in the South China Sea between an LCS and DDG," said Cmdr. Robert Francis, Lassen's commanding officer. "Lassen and Fort Worth complemented each other operationally, and the crews learned many great lessons that we will share with the fleet."

Fort Worth and Lassen also conducted joint flight operations with the ships' embarked MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters providing critical maritime domain awareness for both platforms.

"LCSs are accustomed to independent steaming, so sailing with Lassen was a welcomed change to our daily routine at sea," said Cmdr. Christopher Brown, prospective commanding officer of Fort Worth. "The operating picture shared between both ships proved invaluable in increasing our situational awareness."

Presence operations also provide U.S. Navy ships the opportunity to practice the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) with other nations' ships operating in the region. Since the CUES agreement was established in April 2014, Fort Worth, Lassen and other U.S. Navy ships have been using CUES to formally communicate maneuvering intentions with ships from other navies, to minimize the risk of miscalculations at sea.

"Codified formal communications really do help eliminate miscommunications and clarify intentions between units," said Brown. "We use both CUES and plain voice on the marine [very high frequency] radio to communicate with other ships operating in this region."

The U.S. 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of U.S. national interests in the Indo-Asia-Pacific area of operations. As the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet, U.S. 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict.

George Washington Begins Summer Patrol

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Pittman

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG), centered around the Navy's only full-time forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS George Washington (CVN 73), returned to sea to begin their summer patrol, June 12.

"After a six month long maintenance period, George Washington is an [increasingly] modern, state-of-the-art warship," said George Washington's commanding officer, Capt. David A. Lausman. "I am excited to return to sea and work in international waters with our regional partners."

In addition to George Washington, GWCSG consists of 7th Fleet's Carrier Air Wing 5, Destroyer Squadron 15, guided-missile destroyers USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), USS Lassen (DDG 82), USS McCampbell (DDG 85), USS Mustin (DDG 89) and USS Stethem (DDG 63). Also included in the strike group are guided-missile cruisers USS Cowpens (CG 63) and USS Shiloh (CG 67).

Carrier Air Wing 5 is composed of Strike Fighter Squadron 27, Strike Fighter Squadron 102 Strike Fighter Squadron 115, Strike Fighter Squadron 195, Electronic Attack Squadron 136, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 Detachment 5 and Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 14.

More than 5,500 Sailors are currently stationed aboard George Washington.

George Washington's mission is to ensure security and stability in the Western Pacific and to be in position to work with our allies and regional partners to respond to any crisis across the operational spectrum as directed.

Lassen Returns from Final 2010 Underway

By Ensign Sean A. Brophy, USS Lassen Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) returned to Yokosuka, Japan, Dec. 13.

Lassen joined USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group during the past two weeks to participate in exercises with the Republic of Korea (ROK) navy and air force and with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) during Keen Sword 2011.

Exercises with the ROK military in waters west of the Korean peninsula were planned months in advance to increase the interoperability between the ROK navy and U.S. Navy. The two navies participated in highly coordinated drills including anti-submarine warfare and anti-air warfare scenarios.

The exercises also provided the opportunity for the U.S. to reinforce and emphasize its commitment to the Republic of Korea.

Following the completion of Korean naval exercises Dec. 1, Lassen took part in Keen Sword 2011 with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces.

Joined by the attack submarines USS San Francisco (SSN 711) and USS Houston (SSN 713), and the Japanese destroyers JS Hatakaze (DDG 171) and JS Hamagiri (DD 155), Lassen was the only U.S. surface ship playing the role of opposition forces.

"Taking part in exercises like these is what being forward deployed is all about," said Cmdr. H. B. Le, USS Lassen commanding officer. "Working together with our allies' military forces — particularly the maritime forces — improves our mutual interoperability and promotes regional security and stability in the Western Pacific. It also supports U.S. 7th Fleet's persistent priority to develop and build maritime partnerships."

Earlier this year Lassen was presented the Commander, Naval Surface Forces Battle Effectiveness Award and awarded the 2010 Association of Old Crows Outstanding Navy (Surface) Unit Award.

Lassen's very own Chief Operational Specialist (SW) Samira McBride was recognized for her individual performance when she was selected as one the Navy's four Sailors of the Year.

Away from its forward-deployed port for 201 days in 2010, Lassen's crew made several port calls to Saipan, Korea, India, Guam, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and locations in Japan.

USS Lassen will hold its sixth change of command ceremony Dec. 17, as Cmdr. Walter C. Wrye IV will assume duties as Lassen's seventh commanding officer. Lassen is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 and is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan.