PHILIPPINE SEA –
Sailors aboard the Arleigh-burke class guided-missile destroyer USS
Stethem (DDG 63) participated in the Ship Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW)
Readiness and Evaluation Measurement (SHAREM) exercise, Dec. 8-12.
Stethem was joined by guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82) and a
Virginia-class submarine to conduct an evaluation of ASW tactics. These
exercises not only evaluated Stethem’s sensors, but also honed watchstander
proficiency.
Stethem and Lassen flexed their active and passive sonar capabilities to
detect underwater threats at the maximum ranges possible. The events were
designed to test the full spectrum of ASW capabilities and tactics.
“SHAREM gave us the opportunity to train new technicians, and even I
learned some new things,” said Sonar Technician Geographical First Class
Erhrolejhan Navarro from San Jose, Calif. “We had Applied Physics Lab and
Acoustic Physics Lab representatives on board who held invaluable training on
active acoustic analysis and passive bottom ranging techniques.”
The exercise commenced Dec. 9 with a submarine familiarization. This
event trained watchstanders on visual and electronic submarine detection
techniques. SHAREM included freeplay
events that placed the ship in a war-game scenario testing approach and attack
techniques, and structured events designed to collect data on the effectiveness
of dynamic maneuvering and torpedo evasion tactics.
The events as a whole focused on the fundamentals of ASW: search,
detect, identify, track, and target underwater contact.
“We are constantly trying to improve our underwater threat detection and
prosecution tactics so, the additional training was very welcomed and
appreciated,” said Sonar Technician Geographical Third Class Samuel Zieglmeier
from Cambridge, Minnesota.
Stethem is one of seven Arleigh-burke class guided-missile destroyers assigned
to Destroyer Squadron 15 and is permanently forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan
supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.