The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) has started the theatre anti-submarine warfare (TASW) phase of the Submarine Commander’s Course-40 (SSC-40) in the exterior parts of the Bahamas.
The ongoing exercise will see participation from members of Destroyer Squadron 28 (DESRON-28), the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64).
The three-day event is aimed at boosting anti-submarine hunting capabilities.
It involves executing a range of exercises including torpedo launch and evasion, counter-fire operations, and the search and prosecution of enemy submarines through multiple radars, sonar and sonobuoys.
DESRON-28 deputy commodore captain Richard Brawley said: "It is a benefit to our forces that we can support Submarine Atlantic (SUBLANT) and submarine forces in general.
"We train our crews with something we never get to see during our training phase."
SSC-40, a training course intended for naval officers getting ready to take charge of a submarine, lasts for several weeks and comprises four phases, including classroom and field instruction.
The exercise allows sailors to test what they learned during their training sessions and gain knowledge.
"SSC-40’s primary purpose is to qualify respective commanding officers and executive officers," Brawley added. "Typically we try to involve other nations such as Canada or England."
Commissioned in November 2010, USS Jason Dunham is capable of operating in multi-threat air, surface and subsurface threat environments.
Image: US Navy’s USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) vessel. Photo: courtesy of the US Navy.
