|
2007
The year of 2007 has taken SAN ANTONIO through some remarkable
accomplishments and has seen her progress through a shipyard asset to a
national asset. Having spent only 58 days underway, SAN ANTONIO put the
time pier side to good use. Most notably, SAN ANTONIO successfully
passed the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) material inspection and is
now fully capable and ready for any tasking.
In March, the ship travelled south to its first foreign port visit in Nassau,
Bahamas. The crew was given a few days of liberty and relaxation in
between running the underwater acoustic silencing range.
When they returned from the Bahamas, one week stood between them and INSURV
Final Contract Trials that began on 26 MAR. Despite the crew's
efforts and hard work, the ship could not get underway after a major failure
to steering control circuitry.
On 2 APR, SAN ANTONIO entered the British Aerospace Engineering dry dock in
Portsmouth. Armed with the INSURV generated list of material
discrepancies, the ship began a Post-Shakedown Availability. Ship's
crew and shipyard workers alike began tackling the lengthy list of trial
cards. Major jobs included compartment completion, new non-skid on the
ship's forecastle, boat valley, and flight deck, and several upgrades to the
ship's area network.
On 1 JUN, SAN ANTONIO became a member of Amphibious Squardron Four instead of
Amphibious Squadron Six in order to accommodate necessary deployment
schedules between SAN ANTONIO and NASHVILLE.
As the first of the class, the ship went through an Inclining Experiment on
30 JUN that required the ship to purposefully list to test mathematical
calculations of pitch, roll, center of gravity, and center of buoyancy.
The tests went well and with the Post-Shakedown Availability coming to a
close, the crew held a fast cruise for two days before getting underway on 12
JUL for sea trials. During the 5 days underway, ship's force
accomplished quite a handful of activities to include SSDS testing, ULM-4
range, SESEF range, TACAN testing, SWAN testing, and small boat operations.
The prospective Commanding Officer, CDR Kurt A. Kastner, arrived onboard 15
JUL, and officially relieved CDR Brad Lee as SAN ANTONIO on 20JUL in a
ceremony held on the ship's new flight deck.
On 23 JUL, the ship entered a CMAV that would extend nearly a month through
20 AUG. Air Department obtained their aviation certification during
this time which marked SAN ANTONIO's first certification in a line of many
required for a 2008 deployment.
On 20 AUG, the ship got underway for a few short days of Deck Landing
Qualifications (DLQs). The crew managed to squeeze in an Underway
Replenishment (UNREP) and also another range run on the SESEF buoy for
increment E testing.
The following week, beginning on 28 AUG, SAN ANTONIO was underway again for
the VACAPES to provide host services for Second Fleet Special Operations
Command (SOCOM) testing missions.
Next stop on the list for the ship was the deperming crib on 4 SEP.
Initial testing was done and readings were taken so that on 5 SEP the ship
was able to switch from a Southern heading to a Northern heading. The
ship's crew worked exceptionally hard to wrap the entire ship in magnetic
cables that would eventually send impulses of current through the outside of
the ship in an effort to reduce our magnetic signature. The readings
taken at the crib were very promising, but the real test came on 11 SEP
during the ship's day of magnetic silencing range (degaussing) runs in the
Norfolk harbor channel. Indeed, the ship's magnetic signature is
remarkably low for a warship of it's weight and size.
On 17 SEP, SAN ANTONIO was called upon to provide more services for SOCOM
testing missions and conducted an UNREP as well. On 21 SEP, SAN ANTONIO
returned to port and Commander Amphibious Squadron Four embarked.
Several things happened on 24 SEP. The ship began another CMAV to
concentrate mainly on SWAN troubles, underwater hull cleaning started, a week
of Shipboard Training Team trainers from Afloat Training Group kicked off,
and the Supply Department began their certification inspection.
The 1st and 2nd of OCT gained another certification for SAN ANTONIO, this
time in radar navigation. At the end of October, the ship got underway
to test steering, run yet another ULM-4 range, and conduct 30mm testing.
Force Protection Initial Assessment started on the first day of November, but
SAN ANTONIO did not perform as well as anticipated. For ULTRA-E though,
following only 4 days later, the engineers thoroughly impressed the
inspectors with their knowledge and skill.
SAN ANTONIO got underway on 13 NOV for a long awaited missile firing
exercise. The ship steamed North just off of Wallops Island, VA and
conducted live firing exercises of the Rolling Airframe Missile System.
After returning and having a preparation week in port, SAN ANTONIO came to
the first day of INSURV. The crew had certainly prepared for this day
since the last INSURV in March and they were ready. Their enthusiasm,
knowledge, and hard work shined during the week and SAN ANTONIO came away
from the inspection with high scores all around. More importantly, the
crew had convinced everyone that they were ready to take this ship to sea for
prolonged amounts of time. Effectively, the crew turned the ship into a
national asset ready for and capable of any tasking assigned.
7 DEC was a monumental day for SAN ANTONIO when VADM Chanik, Commander,
Second Fleet, toured the ship and joined dozens of waterfront Commanding
Officers for "Commander Naval Surface Force Leadership Forum"
being hosted aboard by Rear Admiral Curtis.
After a few weeks in port and a delightful children's Christmas party on 8
DEC, the ship was back at sea on 10-11 DEC for DLQs. Although the DLQs
were ultimately cancelled, the ship was able to conduct an UNREP one last
time before the end of 2007. Upon returning to port, the ship entered
another CMAV and the week of 10 DEC concluded with the command Christmas
party on the evening of the 13th and then the ship's holiday stand down
beginning on 14 DEC.
2006
As the first of the most technologically advanced amphibious warships in the
world, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) set milestones from the beginning of
2006. Spending 215 days at sea, the crew of USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17)
was dedicated to making it a successful year.
During her transit South to Texas for commissioning, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17)
landed her first Marine Corps Helicopter on 05 January (CH-46D). That
same helicopter also performed the ship's first medical evacuation.
The 14th of January is a day etched in all of the plankowners'
memories. As Texas’ Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson christened the ship
as the ship’s sponsor, the crewmembers understood it was their job to breath
life into USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17).
On 24 January, Commander Brad Lee relieved Commander Jonathon Padfield as
Commanding Officer of USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17).
True to that sentiment, the ship was underway just days after she was
commissioned to begin her transit back to her homeport of Norfolk, VA.
Once there, she entered the British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) shipyard.
On 4-12 April, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) conducted sea trials in the Virginia
Capes Operating Area (VACAPES OPAREA). This underway included many
Shipboard Training Team (SBTT) drills and also involved an
anchorage. On 11 April, the first Navy helo landed (MH-60S)
followed by the first tilt-rotor aircraft landing (MV-22) on 12 April.
17 April marked the beginning of a four week underway period. The first
two weeks were spent in the VACAPES OPAREA conducting various exercises.
The Officers of the Deck (OODs) were kept busy with several days of non-stop
flight operations to certify the flight deck. 24 April – 5 May was
Hurricane Exercise 2006, an exercise to sharpen the crew’s skills at tracking
and evading tropical storms after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in
2005. On 29 April, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) departed the VACAPES and
began her transit to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Enroute, the crew trained in
Emission Control drills, NIXIE streaming, and held several familiarization
fire gun shoots. Before mooring on 1 May, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17)
conducted amphibious operations off the coast with Landing Craft Air Cushions
(LCACs) on 30 April.
Sailors were cordially welcomed by the townspeople of Ft. Lauderdale and were
even invited, along with the other guest ships, to a National Salute to
Heroes Concert at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. The ship’s
wardroom and crew hosted a party on the flight deck for local politicians and
their families. Fleet Week USA hosted several MWR sporting events that
gave the sailors a chance to enjoy both camraderie and the Florida sun.
The ship's Chaplain set up community relations projects as well, including
two Habitat for Humanity trips.
On 7 May, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) departed Ft. Lauderdale, spent the night
at sea, and pulled into Mayport, FL on 8 May to refuel and embark
midshipmen. Underway again on 9 May, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) arrived
in Norfolk on 12 May. Two weeks inport allowed time for the propellers
to be cleaned and on 23 May USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) was underway, headed for
Fleet Week New York. After mooring in Staten Island on 24 May, the
sailors found themselves quite welcomed wherever they went. Being in
one of America’s largest cities for Fleet Week kept the ship busy with tours
and visitors galore. Several sailors also had the proud opportunity to
re-enlist at Ground Zero with Admiral Fallon.
30 May came and USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) departed Staten Island for the
VACAPES OPAREA until 9 June to conduct Ship's Self Defense System (SSDS)
testing that included a drone tracking exercise and a NIXIE stream.
The week of 11-16 June was filled with midshipmen on their Career Officer
Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) summer cruise. Given a chance to
spend a week aboard the Navy’s newest amphibious warship was something the
midshipmen really enjoyed. Taking full advantage of the opportunity,
they eagerly spoke with crewmembers to learn the different rates and their
jobs onboard. 13-16 June was an underway period to show the midshipmen
the advanced capabilities of USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17). During the three
days underway, midshipmen were exposed to an Underway Replenishment (UNREP),
Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) flights, an anchorage, and several pre-action
calibration weapon firings (PACFIRE).
19 June - 5 July was a scheduled three week inport Continued Maintenance
Availability (CMAV) for USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) to upgrade systems. It
also gave the crew time to attend schools and training without the possibility
of being underway.
After the CMAV was complete, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) went to sea from 6-21
July to test out the new products and upgraded systems. Focusing
primarily on amphibious operations, this underway period included an LCAC
interface test and an amphibious lift demonstration as well.
On 23 July, more midshipmen arrived for their summer cruises and came just in
time to see the Shipboard Training Team (SBTT) environment kick into full
gear in preparation for USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) upcoming Unit Level Training
Assessment-Composite (ULTRA-C) at the end of August. They also got
underway from 7-23 August and witnessed USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) conduct a
Detect-to-Engage Sequence, a Surface Gunnery Exercise, a LINK Exercise, a
Missile Exercise, and an Air Gunnery Exercise.
28 August, the beginning of ULTRA-C, was a day the crew was ready for.
Successfully accomplishing all required inport checks allowed USS SAN ANTONIO
(LPD 17) to get underway as scheduled on 30 August. The months of training
and hard work paid off when the crew moored at Naval Station Norfolk on 1
September with a passing grade.
On 8 September, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) was underway to the VACAPES OPAREA
to conduct familiarization firings (FAMFIRE) of the weapons onboard for two
days. She headed North on 10 September and moored in New York in the
morning of 11 September for a 9/11 commemoration. In a city that
remembers clearly the terrorist attacks of 2001, it was a memorable occasion
for them to see the newest amphibious warship designed to help thwart
terrorism from the sea. Similar to her time spent in New York for its
Fleet Week, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) opened its hatches to multiple
distinguished visitor tours, including one for the NY Yankees and Giants.
Once again, sailors took advantage of the fact the ship was in New York to
re-enlist at Ground Zero.
Although sailors enjoyed their liberty time in New York, it was back to
business as soon as USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) got underway on 15
September. Next on the list of things to do was ULTRA-E (engineering),
beginning on 18 September. Through hundreds of drills and evolutions,
the engineers took USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) through the inspection
successfully and kept her on schedule in the training cycle. The engineers
were happy when USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) was moored in Norfolk on 20
September.
Inport from 22 September – 9 October, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) organized MWR
bowling and golfing tournaments. Work conducted on the ship during this
timeframe included the flight deck non-skid overhaul and an underwater hull
cleaning.
From 17-19 October, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) was showcased in a television
documentary being made for Future Weapons. Although not scheduled to
air until the Spring of 2007, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) welcomed the chance to
show off the ship.
The engineers were ready and waiting for 16 October when the US Navy diesel
engine inspectors embarked for a two-week diesel engine inspection.
Completing all the inport checks successfully and on time, USS SAN
ANTONIO (LPD 17) spent the week of 23 October underway to finish the diesel
engine inspection with a high average grade.
On 25 October, the ship conducted its first vertical replenishment.
This inherently dangerous operation was thoroughly successful and helped
ready her for a special warfare exercise. USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD-17)
participated in a multi-unit Helicopter Visit, Board, Search and Seizure
exercise designed to provide training for SEAL and aviation units in
preparation for deployment from 30 October to 3 November. This
first-in-class evolution incorporated numerous squadrons as well as SH-60F,
HH-60H, and MH-60S helicopters to support SEAL Team TEN in day, night, and
NVD operations.
USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) stationed the outbound Sea and Anchor detail on 13
November to conduct SSDS testing in the VACAPES OPAREA. The Engineering
Training Team (ETT) used the underway time to run many drills / evolutions in
preparation for their planned Engineering Operational Certification (EOC).
Unfortunately, EOC was postponed to the Spring of 2007, so the ship returned
to port on 21 November.
27 November - 4 December added to USS SAN ANTONIO’s (LPD 17) underway time
for 2006. During this underway, she conducted a towing exercise, MV-22
Osprey testing, and small boat attack defense training. Having the
electronic equipment evaluated at the Shipboard Electronic Systems Evaluation
Facility was a major evolution during this week as well.
Off the coast of North Carolina in November, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) rescued
four fishermen from their sinking boat. Hearing the distress call from
Miss Melissa, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) made best speed to her position and
lowered a RHIB in the water in rough seas to rescue the fishermen and safely
return them to USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17). Given a warm meal and thorough
examination by the medical officer, the sailors were very grateful to the
crew who went out of their way to help fellow mariners.
11-14 December was the final 2006 underway for USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17), but
certainly an important one for the ship. Her Final Evaluation Problem
(FEP) was the culmination of the training cycle and involved numerous
shipboard training teams and drills. As done throughout 2006, USS SAN
ANTONIO (LPD 17) successfully passed FEP and turned their attention to the
next task at hand.
After 215 days at sea serving her country, USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) and crew
earned a well deserved holiday standdown. The sailors definitely
appreciated the chance to take leave and spend the holidays with their
families. However, there was still work to be done on the ship.
USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) entered a CMAV from 18 December - 5 January, one
week of which included an underwater hull cleaning.
The ship’s crew worked exceptionally hard in 2006 and impressed higher chain
of command personnel about the capabilities of the LPD-17 class of amphibious
ships. Taking her from the shipyards in 2005 to pre-deployment
exercises in 2007, 2006 was a critical year that established the momentum necessary
to carry USS SAN ANTONIO (LPD 17) to an incredibly successful future.
|
