The U.S. Military Sealift Command has issued the following news release concerning the Seafarers-contracted MV Cpl. Louis J. Hauge Jr.Thai special forces storm Military Sealift Command ship during antiterrorism exercise
Special forces from the Royal Thai Navy stormed Military Sealift Command Maritime Prepositioning Ship MV Cpl. Louis J. Hauge, Jr. off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, Aug. 18, during the first day of annual exercise Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism, or SEACAT.
Hauge, which carries combat equipment and supplies for the U.S. Marine Corps, is playing the role of a suspicious cargo vessel during the seventh execution of this annual anti-terrorism exercise, which will end Aug. 21. SEACAT is designed to highlight information sharing and multinational coordination within a situation that gives participating navies practical maritime interception training opportunities. Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines and the United States – along with observers from Indonesia – train together in procedures to track, board and search ships suspected of being involved in terrorism, piracy, human trafficking or the transportation of illicit cargo.
In the simulation, Hauge came under suspicion after intelligence suggested that the ship had been boarded by pirates. A Thai maritime patrol aircraft spotted Hauge just after 7 a.m. Next, the Thai frigate Song Kha intercepted Hauge some 24 nautical miles off Thailand’s scenic coast and radioed the ship to stop. After receiving no response, a six-man team of Thai navy SEALs then fast-roped onto Hauge’s flight deck from a helicopter.
The Thai SEALs quickly secured the ship’s bridge, where Second Mate Jonathan Blanchard, playing the role of ship’s master, was questioned extensively about their cargo, last port of call and destination. “I was immediately ordered to put my hands on my head,” said Blanchard who was wearing a white armband identifying him as the captain. “I cooperated fully in answering all of their questions.”
Thailand’s special forces also secured the engine room and ordered Chief Engineer Gary Newbegin to stop the ship’s engines immediately. “This training clearly shows the Thai forces how difficult it is to maneuver in a ship’s engine room,” said Newbegin. “Space is very tight and there are many obstacles and ladders.”
“We’ve been training Thailand’s forces in maritime boarding procedures and techniques for the past three months, and it was apparent that they used much of what they learned during today’s boarding,” said U.S. Coast Guard Yeoman 2nd Class Matt Kamalo of Maritime Safety and Security Team 91101, Seattle, one of two Coast Guard members embarked aboard Hauge.
A sweep of the ship’s living accommodations found two stowaways believed to be involved in piracy. The SEALs then took the mock pirates aboard Song Kha for further questioning. A second team of Thai sailors from Song Kha then boarded the ship by rigid-hull, inflatable boat and conducted a more thorough search of the accommodations, during which they found simulated illegal drugs and weapons in two rooms occupied by the pirates.
Next, Hauge was released but remained under suspicion so authorities in Malaysia and Singapore will continue to track and monitor the ship as it transits the Strait of Malacca.
Hauge, crewed by 25 merchant mariners under contract to MSC, is commanded by civilian Capt. Glenn L. Bond, and is part of Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Three based near Guam and Saipan. These ships are strategically placed at sea and ready to quickly deliver equipment and supplies to troops ashore when needed.
MSC operates approximately 110 noncombatant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners.
# # #
Printer Friendly Page