The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) completed a fast cruise Dec. 11, 2020 in preparations for contractor sea trials and operations at sea after a nearly one-year hiatus following the ship's maintenance availability period.
During the fast cruise the crew simulated being at sea to test critical systems, operations, and personnel requirements to sustain the ship while underway.
“Our efforts today will set the tone for upcoming sea trials,” said Capt. Tom Foster, executive officer of Kearsarge on day three of the fast cruise. “We want to ensure we have the right people and equipment for each job and requirement, keeping focus on the safety of the ship and its Sailors.”
During the fast cruise, Kearsarge Sailors completed operational checks of the ship’s systems, tested communications, verified watchbills, ran fire and flooding drills, and prepared their workspaces for going underway - all to prove that the ship and crew are both ready and able to return to operations at sea.
The highlight of the fast cruise was the Engineering Department's ability to prove to an outside Navy assessment team, Engineering Assessment, Atlantic, that Kearsarge could safely and successfully operate their ship's massive steam plant.
"I have to give a huge shout out to the Engineering Department," said Capt. Neil A. Koprowski, commanding officer of Kearsarge. "They finished their engineering assessment plant checks and received an overall score of 95 percent, which is a remarkable achievement. The time and proficiency they put into getting the plant lit-off is a major accomplishment for the whole crew. They led it and the entire crew's support enabled it."
A large portion of the ship’s crew reported to the command after the last deployment. The fast cruise helped Kearsarge identify and address potential knowledge gaps before their sea trials.
“We have a crew with a range of experience levels,” said Aviation Support Equipment Technician 1st Class Romeo Martin, a Damage Control Training Team member. “Some Sailors have been here for a while and some have just checked aboard. We have to prepare them all.” Martin added that even the most experienced Sailors benefit from the fast cruise because they get to use equipment and skills that have not been in use since the ship's last underway.
Having completed the fast cruise, which was another milestone in the ship's overall certification process, Kearsarge has fixed their sights on sea trials where there is still work to be done.
"Sea trials will be exhausting," said Koprowski. "We are qualified to do our job, but we are nowhere near proficient. Proficiency is doing things over-and-over again and becoming experts in what we're qualified in and we are not there. That's okay because this sea trials milestone is the first step in becoming proficient. That first step starts with each of us maintaining our mental and physical health and making sure we're safe to go to sea." Koprowski said. "But I know this crew is ready. I watched them do amazing things and they will continue to do amazing things and I look forward to going to sea with them and watching them regain their expertise."
The ship’s contractor sea trials will test the integrity of the work done during Kearsarge’s nearly one year maintenance availability following its seven-month deployment.