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CHERRY POINT, N. C (NNS) -- Detachments from Special Boat Team (SBT)
20, stationed on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story,
Va., spent Nov. 2-6 running through complex training scenarios
designed to serve as a pre-deployment assessment. |
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"The ranges at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point are the
best in the U.S. when it comes to small boat tactics," said Master
Chief Special Warfare Boat Operator (SWCC) David Schweiger, boat
troop command master chief for SEAL Team 18. "We need to train in
environments that simulate as closely as possible the conditions we
encounter down range."
The three SBT's are the maritime mobility experts for U.S. Special
Operations Command. SBT 20 and SBT 12, located on the East and West
Coast respectively, conduct littoral missions, while SBT 22 is a
specialized riverine unit.
SBT 20 operates the MK-V Special Operations and the Naval Special
Warfare rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIB). For this evolution,
RHIB detachments trained at multiple locations on and around MCAS
Cherry Point.
"These ranges have the highest number, quality and availability of
ranges, as well as a greater availability of air assets than any
live-fire range on the East or West Coast," said SBT 20 Training
Department Leading Chief Petty Officer Special Warfare Boat Operator
(SWCC) Dave McClain. "Here, we can conduct multiple dynamic training
events and complex scenarios, and integrate unmanned aerial
vehicles, helicopter operations and the insertion and extraction of
SEAL and other special operations forces into our training
missions."
For this particular training event, operators from SEAL Team 18
joined in, serving as opposing forces and conducting
requalifications.
"Integration with the active duty SWCC is essential to maintaining
our capabilities to conduct our mission sets as well as supporting
the active component in their real-world operations," said Chief
Warrant Officer 2 (SWCC) Brett Anderson, Naval Special Warfare Group
11 training officer.
Adding to the realism of the scenarios, aircraft from the base
Marine aircraft squadrons, as well as Navy aircraft units from
Norfolk, Va., served as both over-watch, and as a platform for
recovery and fast-rope insertion.
"Conducting joint training is essential. The battlefield is now
joint, and the interoperability established here saves lives
forward," said McClain. "Working with our Reserve counterparts
builds relationships and ensures that we are all ready to deploy at
the same level of readiness."
This weeklong training involved numerous base camps and tent cities,
as well as more than 100 personnel and repeated live-fire training
evolutions.
"The base support to our training was crucial," said Senior Chief
Brian Main, who was the exercise coordinator. "Range control was
extremely helpful. The logistics for an evolution like this are
immense and Cherry Point was always ready to lend a hand."
For more news from Naval Special Warfare Group 4, visit
www.navy.mil/local/nswg4/. |
