Navy Training Methods on the USS Anzio

The USS Anzio (CG 68) was recently off the Virginia Capes undergoing ULTRA C, a series of tests that the ship must pass before deployment. Just what happens during ULTRA C?

ENS Laura Montoya, Public Affairs Officer for the Anzio, was kind enough to give me some details.

On the Anzio, the Combat Systems Training Team Leader is LCDR Jason Stepp, the Operations Officer. He and his team carefully crafted simulated attacks on the ship. A computer system allows the team to show fake enemy contacts on the radar screen or various other ship sensors. Sailors at those stations must then react appropriately to meet the threats.

This kind of simulation was run in the CIC, Combat Information Center, where the person responsible for detecting threats is the Surface Warfare Coordinator (SUWC). The SUWC is supported by "the Surface Warfare Supervisor and the Bright Bridge Operator." Essentially, if a missile is coming towards the ship, they detect it and destroy it, and the same goes for ships or boats approaching the ship. The SUWC provides the information to the Tactical Action Officer (head watchstander), who is directly under the CO. If the order comes to fire, the SUWC relays the order to the gun crew, or, if the gun is operated automatically, to whomever is responsible for firing it.

What if aircraft or submarines are detected? "That same scenario is applied for Air Warfare and Sub-Surface Warfare watchstanders to create an integrated and complex training environment," states Montoya. So threats from the air, the surface and under water each have their personnel trained to react to them.

I was curious about how widespread the testing is, and asked, does the test run down the chain to people at the gun or missile, practicing getting all that set up, or is that done separately? In other words, is the whole ship on a dress rehearsal, or just parts of it?

"Yes, the test is a dress rehearsal for the whole ship, from simulated blips on a screen down the chain to the Gunner's Mates going through the actions to control a misfire. Everybody on the ship has a "Battle Station," and this is how we allow everybody to practice their response to an emergent situation," wrote ENS Montoya.

It wasn't just the CIC that was tested, but all "tactical/technical watchstanders."

Many people do the testing, watching over the shoulders of the watch standers. There is also a lot of preliminary work. "The technical side of the training was lead by FCC (SW) Chad Miller and FC1 Clifton Milton and the tactical CSTT members were directed by LT Shaun Nidiffer and LT Mike Green."

Anzio now moves on to other pre-deployment activities.

Source: ENS Laura Montoya, Public Affairs Officer, USS Anzio