The workout routines was a reside demolition coaching occasion, the place an inert coaching mine was positioned and disposed of to exhibit EOD response capabilities and interoperability between warfighting models inside Service Strike Group (CSG) 10, George H.W. Bush CSG.
A rigid-hull inflatable boat from Leyte Gulf, transporting a Sailor from EOD Cell Unit 12, went into open water and positioned an inert coaching mine (often called the “bomb field”). Throughout the train, Leyte Gulf offered tactical management of the plane taking part within the train and the ship’s watch standers assisted in reporting the situation of the inert mine.
“Total, this was an excellent coaching alternative for us to construct upon our watch standers’ proficiency in mine warfare,” stated Lt. Elliott Calhoun, air protection officer aboard Leyte Gulf. “The flexibility to make use of reside ordnance for a simulated mine, and dealing with the EOD group added that aspect of realism to this occasion, which elevated our mission readiness.”
EOD swimmers dispatched from two MH-60S Nighthawk helicopters, from HSC-5, entered the encircling waters and planted fees to detonate the mine-like object. Upon completion of the mine disposal, the plane swept the world to confirm the risk was eradicated.
“It was good for all of our guys to have the ability to really get within the water for this demolition,” stated Explosive Ordnance Disposal 2nd Class James Seroski. “We don’t get to do that that usually. With the ability to work with the opposite ships within the strike group and being able to finish the total mission profile tremendously added to our capacity to execute a real-world state of affairs extra safely and effectively.”
Leyte Gulf is on a scheduled deployment within the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa space of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and associate pursuits.
The Nimitz-class plane provider USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is the flagship of Service Strike Group (CSG) 10. CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Service Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Info Warfare Commander, and Leyte Gulf.
The ships of DESRON 26 inside CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).
The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard the George H.W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, the “Nighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Canines” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of Service Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Patriots” of Digital Assault Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of HSC-5, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.
