“I have witnessed an actual fuel leak and toxic gas. The immediate response from the crew shocked me!” said Hull Maintenance Technician-Chief Petty Officer Idrisa Diaby. During their last 4 week underway the ship engaged in DC drills 2-3 times per week, striving to improve themselves. With a crew that is ready to save the ship in order to save themselves they are unstoppable even in Seventh Fleet operations!
Every sailor must combat damage control with confidence. In a real life scenario, it is easy to freak out and look at the other person to take charge, but they might easily be freaked out too. It is essential for these drills to be ran to keep everyone proficient for a situation that can happen at any given moment. “Think about the fellow Sailors you would like to be side by side to save if you ever had to. How could you do so without learning what you need to prior to the actual casualty?” stated Hull Maintenance Technician-Chief Petty Officer Idrisa Diaby. With repetition comes confidence and so these frequent drills will instill in sailors this mindset to stand their ground.
“Even though it is a drill, try to look at it is an opportunity to learn something that you do not know. 90% of Damage Control efforts are done prior to the actual casualties. When the real thing happens, you will not have the time to look anything up in any references. Take advantage of the time to learn.” said Hull Maintenance Technician-Chief Petty Officer Idrisa Diaby.
Onboard SHOUP, these drills are planned and executed by the Damage Control Training Team (DCTT) in which Hull Maintenance Technician-Chief Petty Officer Idrisa Diaby executes the role of the DCTT coordinator for the command. “It is my job to ensure the crew is sufficiently trained to fight any and every type of casualty there is to come.”