SurFor training features more live rounds

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With U.S. ships shadowing pirates off the Horn of Africa and getting requests to strike suspected terrorist targets in Somalia, crews need as much hands-on experience as possible firing their 5-inch or 3-inch main guns, according to Naval Surface Force commander Vice Adm. D.C. Curits.


SurFor training features more live rounds
By Philip Ewing - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Oct 19, 2008 9:40:20 EDT

Surface ships are getting more live ammunition and more chances to shoot their big guns as the Navy tries to edge away from relying on virtual training at the expense of the real thing.

Not only that, with U.S. warships shadowing pirates off the Horn of Africa and getting requests to strike suspected terrorist targets in Somalia, crews need as much hands-on experience as possible firing their 5-inch or 3-inch main guns, according to Naval Surface Force commander Vice Adm. D.C. Curits.

“My No. 1 priority is to increase our war-fighting readiness in every warfare area. As the 5-inch and 76mm guns are critical systems for multiple warfare areas, I expect to use this opportunity to test their reliability, execute various tactics and improve crews’ proficiencies,” Curtis wrote in a statement.

“In every instance,” the statement said, “live firing plus simulation equals increased war-fighting readiness.”

Cruisers and destroyers have fired about 12,500 rounds of 5-inch ammunition so far this year, according to Troy Westphal, Naval Surface Force’s ordnance officer, and frigates have fired about 2,400 3-inch rounds. Those numbers should increase by at least 20 percent next year, Westphal said in a SurFor announcement. The cost for the additional rounds was unavailable at press time.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/10/navy_ammo_101908w/%2e