Following a port visit to Zhanjiang, Peoples Republic of China,
USS Juneau (LPD 10) participated in a bilateral search and rescue
exercise (SAREX) with the citys naval namesake, Zhanjiang (DD 165)
Nov. 19 that displayed the progress in interoperability and
cooperation among the two navies and nations.
Joined by USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and using air assets of the 31st
Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embarked aboard Juneau, as well as
fixed wing aircraft from both the U.S. and China, the three-ship
SAREX task force was able to effectively find the simulated
distressed vessel and proceed to embark rescue and assistance teams
on it.
The SAREX, the second phase in a two-phased approach as agreed upon
by both countries in the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement
(MMCA), was highly praised as a success by senior officers of both
Zhanjiang and Juneau, at the debrief following the conclusion of
the exercise.
Our collaborative search and rescue exercise has been an
incredibly successful event executed by our two navies, said
Juneaus Commanding Officer, Capt. John D. Alexander. Through this
exercise, we have built a stronger foundation upon which to conduct
future exercises and operations together. This has been an
invaluable opportunity for our ships and personnel to plan and
execute in tandem.
Those from Zhanjiang were similarly pleased with the outcome.
There were many good points to this exercise, said Cmdr.
Changping Gong, Zhanjiang executive officer, who was aboard Juneau
during the exercise as a liaison officer observing the exercise
from the U.S. viewpoint. We see this as a stepping stone to future
cooperation. We feel it is important to work together with the U.S.
Navy to help make this region a safer place.
The exercise commenced just after sunrise when a simulated distress
signal was sent to Zhanjiang from Chinese replenishment ship
Dongtinghu (AOE 883). Zhanjiang then requested the help of Juneau
to complete the search and rescue, and execution of a joint mission
was put in motion.
Two fixed-wing aircraft, a Y-7 Coke of the Peoples Liberation Army
(Navy) (PLA(N)) and a P-3 Orion from the U.S. Navy, provided the
major search capabilities while the ships steamed in formation in a
given search area. Once detected by the P-3, CH-46E Sea Knight
helicopters provided visual confirmation and acted as the on-scene
commander, keeping a line of sight on the distressed vessel while
the ships moved in a staging position for rescue.
Using international symbols and call signs, the aerial assets were
able to safely navigate the international air space and achieve the
mission. Marine pilots felt happy to assist the process.
Having a visual view of the distressed vessel is a key element to
the search and rescue process, said Marine Maj. Michael Kaminski,
one of the CH-46E Sea Knight pilots. For our involvement, working
with the Chinese was a good learning experience and I feel this
will open the door to future training.
After ships arrived in the vicinity of the distress vessel, each
ships rescue and assistance team, comprised of damage controlmen,
repair specialists and medical personnel, was deployed to the
distressed vessel. Aboard the distressed vessel, the American and
Chinese teams exchanged damage control training techniques and
displayed their equipment.
The PLA(N) sailors were eager to learn about our equipment and
equally eager to show their capabilities to us, said Hull
Technician 1st Class (SW) Gavin C. Springstead, one of the members
of the Juneau rescue and assistance team.
Several elements were built into the exercise to further enhance
interoperability between the navies. While in the search phase, the
SAREX task force conducted a total of four maneuvers, in formation,
with Zhanjiang having operational control of two of those and
Juneau controlling the other two. Another element was a flashing
lights communication drill done the night prior to the
exercise.
Those involved in the planning stages felt that mutual agreements
to terms of the exercise were crucial to the successful execution
to the exercise.
It says a lot that we were able to work through cultural
differences and settle on a workable plan, whose execution was both
effective and educational, said Lt. Ken P. Ward, Juneaus air boss
and lead planner for the United States. I think as U.S. Sailors,
we came to respect our Chinese counterparts because of their
professionalism and commitment to excellence.
All involved look forward to working with each other again.
The more we train together, the more we will understand each
other, said Alexander. I think we are eager to not only build a
better relationship, but also build skills based on the results of
bilateral training.
We want to have better cooperation on an international level,
Gong agreed, so that way we can be prepared for real world
operations.
U.S. Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Sailors
aboard USS Juneau (LPD 10) participated in a sports exhibition Nov.
16 with the People's Liberation Army (Navy) here.
The basketball game was part of several sporting activities held
here during Juneaus port visit and the U.S.-China
Search-and-Rescue Exercise (SAREX).
The Chinese Navy team routed the Juneau team with a final score of
102-60. Despite the Juneau teams loss, they were pleased to be a
part of fostering U.S. and Chinese relations.
Overall, I felt like this was a very good experience in that we
played a diplomatic role in a very important relation-building
event, said Cryptological Technician Seaman Pearce Wilson.
At half-time, U.S. and Chinese Marines demonstrated their prowess
in a friendly tug-of-war match with the victory going to the
Chinese three out of three pulls. At the end of the meet, an
exchange of gifts and a congratulatory handshake between both teams
demonstrated good sportsmanship and showed spectators the existing
bond between both military forces.
This tug-of-war match is good for camaraderie, said Marine Cpl.
Jeremy Tocco of Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marine
Regiment. It shows that other militaries around the world are just
same they love sports and a little friendly competition just like
we do.