The guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) completed damage control training with international naval officers as a part of the Partnership of Adriatic Mariners, July 25.
Officers from Azerbaijan and Ukraine participated in damage control drills and learned skills including pipe patching, flooding control and shipboard firefighting.
“We liked the training very much,” said Ukrainian navy Capt. Maxim Popov . “The crew was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all of our questions. We hope we can do this again in the future and continue learning.”
Dunham Sailors sponsored the officers during their stay on board and said they showed a real interest in the training.
“Capt. Popov was really knowledgeable, and was very interested in the equipment we were using and ways he could help the Ukrainian navy become more efficient with damage control,” said Lt. j.g. Todd Strong , Jason Dunham’s damage control assistant. “They were all constantly asking questions and were really getting into the hands-on training. It was a pleasure to have them aboard, and I hope they enjoyed themselves.”
The training ended with a general quarters damage control drill in which the officers were placed in a repair locker and were responsible for responding to a simulated emergency.
“They accomplished the task we gave them with some of our guys who have been doing it for years, ” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Ronald Virgin . “They were very appreciative of the training we gave them, and I enjoyed having them around. I think it was a great experience, not only for them, but for our crew as well.”
USS Jason Dunham is on a scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, July 30, 2012