US Navy ships assigned to the Kearsarge amphibious ready group (ARG) completed a live-fire missile exercise (MISSILEX) on October 14.
Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) fired one RIM-7P missile from the NATO Sea Sparrow missile launcher and successfully engaged a target simulating an inbound airborne threat.
San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24) fired two RAMs, destroying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
“The value of the missile exercise is to ensure that Kearsarge’s combat systems are capable of detecting, tracking and engaging an inbound threat,” said Lt. Tim Davey, Kearsarge’s combat systems officer. “The target we shot down meets the parameters of a potential missile being fired at the ship, and we were successfully able to track and engage it from a distance we deem acceptable.”
The Kearsarge ARG consists of Amphibious Squadron 6, Kearsarge, Arlington and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43).
The Kearsarge ARG is underway for amphibious ready group training and deployment certifications.