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The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) was decommissioned after more than 29 years of naval service during a ceremony on board Naval Base San Diego, Nov. 1.

The ship was named for Naval aviator Adm. John S. Thatch, the developer of the “Thach Weave” dogfighting tactic in World War II and former Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe from 1965-1967. He died in 1981 and the ship was commissioned into service March 17, 1984.

Several of the ship’s plankowners and dozens of former crew members, as well as many members of the Thach family, attended the ceremony alongside current crew members.

“Congratulations to all the of current crew and the wardroom for the fine work and Thach’s success; I understand you just got back from deployment,” said retired Navy Capt. Dale H. Moore, Thach’s first commanding officer who served as guest speaker for the ceremony. “I must say, lookingto my memory and the pictures I have from 30 years ago, the ship today looks as sparkly and new as it did then.”

Moore honored the plankowners that took part in the commissioning ceremony more than 29 years ago by having them stand and be recognized during the decommissioning ceremony. He also spoke about the technology aboard Thach nearly 30 years ago, including the limited number and use of computers at the time.

“To all of you, fair winds and following seas,” said Moore. “To Thach, wherever you may be, may you also have fair winds and following seas.”

During Thach’s final deployment earlier this year, the crew of 220 Sailors and Coast Guardsmen performed counter-illicit trafficking operations off the coasts of South and Central America. The ship disrupted shipments of more than 379 kilograms of cocaine and more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana totaling in excess of $10 million.

“From conducting counter-narcotics operations to maintaining freedom on the high seas, the ship has been through a lot in its 29 years of extraordinary service to our country’s Navy,” said Cmdr. Hans E. Lynch, Thach’s commanding officer.

Lynch said his tour as commanding officer has been very rewarding, especially during the ship’s final deployment conducting counter-narcotics operations in the U.S. 4th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

“I am grateful for the crew’s dedication to the mission,” said Lynch. “It is an honor to be the decommissioning commanding officer of a wonderful ship.”

Thach participated in a number of maritime security exercises and operations both independently and as part of carrier strike groups in U.S. 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility during nearly three decades of service.

Thach is the seventh U.S. Navy frigate to be decommissioned in CY-2013 following USS Underwood (FFG 36), USS Curts (FFG 38), USS Carr (FFG 52), USS Klakring (FFG 42), USS Reuben James (FFG 57) and USS Ford (FFG 54).
Press Release, November 04, 2013; Image: US Navy

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Anti-submarine warfare may not be the usual forte for a destroyer – an air defence warship – but HMS Dragon snapped up the chance to work alongside nuclear submarine HMS Talent.

As both were working in the Eastern Mediterranean at the same time, the units practised advanced underwater training with HMS Dragon tasked with hunting Talent down.

The Devonport-based submarine proved an elusive and very capable adversary for HMS Dragon, testing her underwater sensors that are as capable in that domain as her more visible radars are that sweep the skies for air threats.

The vessels were then joined by units from the US 6th Fleet – the USS Gravely, Stout and Barry with their SH-60R Sea Hawk helicopters which can ‘dip’ ahead of the force, using their sonars to try and find nearby submarines.

Ahead of the exercise, several personnel from Talent and Dragon had swapped places to gain an insight into the different ways the units hunt each other down.

Among those was Marine Engineer Submariner (MESM) Michael Williams (25) from Plymouth. What was more poignant was the fact that onboard HMS DRAGON to host him was his brother, Leading Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineering) Stuart Williams, who he hadn’t seen in over eight months.

MESM Williams said:

“Having joined up in August 2012 this is my first operational patrol and it has been an unexpected surprise to be able to get together with Stuart.

“As a lower level engineer working six hours on and six off, the space to work in on board Talent is very limited and a real challenge. There is so much more room on Dragon to work.

“I think it’s fair to say that the living conditions are more comfortable onboard HMS Dragon but the food on board HMS Talent wins that contest.”

Leading Engineering Technician (Marine Engineer) David Cantrell (29) of Portsmouth spent two days on board the submarine.

He said:

“It was a real eye opener for me.

“The living conditions were cramped but comfortable with fantastic food.

“The working routines are particular to operating a submarine and everyone onboard was very professional in their approach and application to everything they did.

“The biggest surprise for me was how stable the platform was once dived, you get used to the motion of the sea onboard ship but once underwater there wasn’t a hint of movement onboard the submarine.”

Press Release, November 04, 2013; Image: Royal Navy

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HMS Westminster has just visited Goa where the ship’s company had the opportunity to exercise alongside the Indian Navy.

The Type 23 frigate took time out from her busy counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics operations in the Gulf for a workout with Indian Navy Ship (INS) Delhi and her company.

Exercise Konkan is part of the long-term commitment shared by the United Kingdom and India to maintaining strong ties and developing the ability to work closely and efficiently together during operations.

The exercise had two distinct phases. The first was conducted alongside in Goa where Westminster and Delhi berthed together.

This presented an opportunity for a few friendly inter nation competitions including football and golf with Westminster winning the football 3-1 but going down in the golf 2-0.

A series of lectures and ship’s tours were also held for some of Delhi’s crew onboard Westminster, the aim being to improve mutual understanding of different equipment and working practices.

Lieutenant Simon Yates, HMS Westminster’s Flight Observer and the ship’s visit liaison officer, said:

“The enthusiasm and desire of the Indian crew to understand our practices was clear during the tours.

“There is already a significant crossover of procedures between our two navies. Exercise Konkan has deepened that mutual understanding and I would hope to work with the Indian Navy again.”

Captain Hugh Beard, Commanding Officer, HMS Westminster called on Rear Admiral Balvinder Singh Parhar, Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area and Naval Aviation during the harbour phase.

HMS Westminster later hosted an evening reception with ceremonial sunset which was attended by the Admiral, many of his senior staff, the Mayor of Goa and other local dignitaries.

 

The second phase of the exercise saw the ships head to sea, putting what was learned alongside into practice in the Indian Ocean.

HMS Westminster and INS Delhi rehearsed gunnery, an anti-submarine warfare, boarding operations, close manoeuvring and cross-deck flying: Westminster’s Lynx helicopter landed on Delhi’s flight deck whilst Delhi’s Chetak helicopter hopped across to be hosted by Westminster’s flight crew.

Captain Beard said he was pleased with how the exercise evolved:

“The officers and crew of INS Delhi helped to make this a most successful exercise. Many valuable insights have been gained and the longstanding goodwill reinforced.

“The Indian Navy continues to be an invaluable ally at sea and in the air, and a worthy adversary in the field of sport.”

HMS Westminster has now returned to maritime security operations in the Gulf region, where she will remain until early next year.
Press Release, November 4, 2013; Image: UK Navy

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Surface rescue swimmers from guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) and aviation rescue swimmers from the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, “Swamp Foxes”, conducted a combined search and rescue (SAR) exercise in the Mediterranean Sea, Oct. 29.

An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from HSM 74 performed aerial searches and swimmer insertions while a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) from Mason was used to deliver swimmers to recover simulated survivors more than two nautical miles from Mason.

“The goal was to provide a safe, practical and realistic training experience in accordance with our quarterly and annual training requirements that offered the chance to apply our skills in a combined event,” said Naval Aircrewman (Tactical Helicopter) 1st Class Michael Reilly, an aviation rescue swimmer assigned to HSM 74 embarked aboard Mason.

HSM 74 showcased their SAR capabilities by recovering simulated survivors with a rescue strop and a two-person rescue basket extended from the helicopter hovering more than 50 feet above the sea.

“This was the first time I’ve seen the rescue basket used outside of training videos or television programming,” said Reilly. “It was easy to control and worked well during the event.”

Mason’s RHIB-based team successfully navigated the choppy water, deployed finned surface rescue swimmers and swam simulated survivors to safety.

“Each team took turns alternating between the roles of survivor or rescuer,” said Ensign Timothy McDaniel, a surface rescue swimmer aboard Mason. “The swimmers all had an opportunity to experience what the other team has been trained to do and, as a result, gain some appreciation for the role they play in the surface or aviation communities.”

Both surface rescue and aviation rescue swimmers go through a similar curriculum in order to earn their respective posts.

“The SAR component at each of our schools is virtually the same,” said Reilly. “However, most of the training takes place in a controlled environment like a pool or bay. Training in the Mediterranean Sea was a rare opportunity.”

“We all found out firsthand today that physical fitness is a top priority when dealing with rescues in a sea state,” said McDaniel. “Once fatigue takes hold, it becomes more difficult to remain objective in an emergency. ”

Given the teams’ performances and the benefits of an open-ocean SAR event, Mason and HSM 74 have already begun outlining plans for the next integrated training exercise.

“We all performed as expected,” said Reilly. “Both teams have well-trained swimmers that did their jobs in a professional manner and had a lot of fun doing it.”

Mason is currently deployed as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
Press Release, November 04, 2013; Image: US Navy