ATG Pacific Evaluates Tarawa Sailors During ULTRA-S

After successfully completing over 10 drills during a three-day period, USS Tarawa (LHA1) passed the Unit Level Training Readiness Assessment Sustainment (ULTRA-S) inspection June 28. Alpha fires, mines in the water, man overboard and intruder on the quarterdeck were some of the different types of drills Tarawa conducted. Throughout the inspection, Tarawa’s training teams in damage control, combat systems, force protection, medical and others were evaluated through training team scenarios by Afloat Training Group (ATG) Pacific. The assessment also covers seamanship, navigation and the Maintenance Material Management (3M) program.

“ULTRA-S is basically a way for ATG to be able to establish whether or not the command’s training teams have been doing their job and making sure everything is correct and current,” said Damage Controlman Chief Gary Wise, ATG Member. The crew’s enthusiasm and energy throughout ULTRA-S resulted in scores of 100 in five categories: Air Department, Cryptology, Intelligence, Search and Rescue, and Undersea Warfare.

“It is just a snapshot of where the ship’s training is at and to make sure everything is on track. We have seen a lot of good motivation, the crew has been doing very well, the training groups are knowledgeable and they are doing a great job together,” added Wise. Some drills where ship-wide and involved every Sailor and all seven repair lockers, while other drills focused on a particular duty section’s in-port emergency response team or repair locker.

“Concluding our 10 drill assessment, ATG and Tarawa training members seem to be on the same page with the level of readiness of the crew,” said Tarawa’s Damage Control training team member Damage Controlman Chief Jimmy Bailey. Since early March, Tarawa Sailors have been performing drills at least three times a week. “The practice drills have been going on for a long time and you can really notice a difference in motivation and proficiency in the crew,” said Hull Technician 2nd Class Adrian Garcia. “We are communicating and working as a team, it’s great how we’re all fitting together.”

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elena Velazquez, USS Tarawa Public Affairs