US Navy conducts Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training

For the first time in the littoral combat ship’s class history,Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) conducted SurfaceWarfare Advanced Tactical Training in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operation(AOR).

The training, which concluded April 22, provided the crew ofthe Independence-class USS Montgomery (LCS 8) advanced level training toincrease their tactical proficiency, lethality and interoperability.

“SWATT is the culmination of a phased training approachwhich prepares our ships and our sailors to win the fight,” said Capt. MatthewMcGonigle, commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE. “The Montgomery crewdemonstrated that they are ready, capable and committed to meet the mission theNavy and our nation requires of them.”

Montgomery conducted several training exercises during themulti-day training event, including anti-submarine, surface and air warfare.Complex live-fire events included torpedo countermeasure exercises and gunneryexercises.

“The Montgomery Blue team honed their skills during thecomplex exercise and without a doubt, their watchstander proficiency wasenhanced,” said Cmdr. Edward A. Rosso, Montgomery’s commanding officer. “TheSWMDC Warfare Tactics Instructors provided excellent training, and we are moreready than ever to answer our nation’s call.”

SMWDC-based mentors, warfare tactics instructors (WTIs), andtechnical community experts planned the events, briefed shipboard teams, andembarked to train and mentor watch teams throughout the duration of theadvanced tactical training. Training evolutions used a formalized plan, brief,execute, debrief (PBED) process.

LCS vessels are high-speed, agile, shallow draft,mission-focused surface combatants designed for operations in the littoralenvironment, yet fully capable of open ocean operations. As part of the surfacefleet, LCS has the ability to counter and outpace evolving threatsindependently or within a network of surface combatants. Paired with advancedsonar and mine hunting capabilities, LCS provides a major contribution, as wellas a more diverse set of options to commanders, across the spectrum of operations.