From boot camp until their final days in the Navy, this phrase is one every Sailor will hear - and for good reason. The ability to combat fires, floods, or other casualties is essential to fleet readiness. One thing is for certain: when underway, Navy Sailors are the first and last lines of defense against combat casualties.
Damage control is a systematic concept of training and pre-planned responses to casualties aboard ships. Outlined in the Surface Force Training and Readiness Manual are the expectations for qualifications and training frequency for naval vessels. This instruction delegates responsibility for damage control readiness to the ship’s executive officer.
“I take this very seriously,” said Cmdr. Adam Ochs, executive officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55). “Damage control training is extremely important to a Sailor’s development. Sailors need to understand that we are one family, and underway this is our home. We have to protect it at all costs.”
The Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) is the primary means by which Leyte Gulf trains and assesses casualty control preparedness. The design of Navy ships forces Sailors to think outside the box when training or faced with an actual casualty. Fires, for example, are not just some simple casualty that requires water to extinguish. Consideration must be given to where the fire main is being sprayed, electrical safety concerns, and where the water will go once the casualty is secured. DCTT is made up of qualified Sailors who have shown a commitment to casualty response, and who carry the burden of training their junior counterparts.
“DCTT on Leyte Gulf is one of the hungriest I have ever seen,” said Ochs, “Here we have a group that is super excited about getting out there and training their fellow Sailors.”
Leyte Gulf’s damage control philosophy starts at the divisional level and leadership has a responsibility to instill in their Sailors the importance of casualty control. Simply put, every Sailor is responsible for saving the ship.
“The push really comes from divisional leadership,” said Lt. Scott Reagh, damage control assistant aboard Leyte Gulf. “My team pushes to get Sailors qualified and qualified early, and we hold them accountable if they fall short, because this is important. They see their chain of command care about damage control and it makes them eager to get involved. We hold our Sailors to a high standard. This allows them to get out there and provide training to others.”
There are more than just immediate benefits to proper damage control response. The ability to respond to damage today allows the Navy to be operational tomorrow and gives Sailors the peace of mind that they will come home to their families.
“The overall involvement of the crew aboard Leyte Gulf is incredibly high,” said Reagh. “When we actually have casualties, the repair lockers respond so fast, they are typically manned and ready before I can make it down to CCS [Central Control Station]. I have found it’s not only just the members of our flying squad, but other members of the ship that want to help as well.”
In port or underway, DCTT holds regular training, involving different scenarios from main space fires to flight deck crash and salvage scenarios. This ensures that every Sailor on Leyte Gulf is prepared for when they may be called upon to save the ship or a shipmate’s life. DCTT has and continues to train the Sailors of Leyte Gulf for any casualty the crew may have to confront.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 and the GHWBCSG. CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Leyte Gulf.
The ships of DESRON 26 within 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 George H.W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, “Nighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Dogs” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.
The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.